The Mobility Roadshow 2013

Last week, Aerobility were very pleased to exhibit at The Mobility Roadshow's 30th Anniversary Event in Telford. The roadshow was a fantastic platform on which to promote the work of Aerobility to those who may wish to participate. We were able to demonstrate to many people the opportunities available to them, with our mobile simulator giving everyone the chance to really experience what fixed-wing flying is like, and our balloon base on show to demonstrate ease of accessibility.

Our stand at The Mobility Roadshow.

Over the course of the three days we met hundreds of great people, and we had our cameras at the ready to get snaps of all of our new friends! Here's just a few of the people we had the pleasure of speaking to....

At 90, Percy Simmonds is the UK's oldest known Town Crier. He took some time out with Brian to learn more about the mechanics of our new ballooning venture.

Simon Weston, OBE, an inspirational veteran of the Falkland Island War. Simon was badly injured when the Sir Galahad was bombed during the Bluff Cove Air Attacks and has since made a significant contribution to charities supporting people living with disfigurements.

We were also very pleased to welcome The Rockabellas down to our stand. The glamorous girls were visiting the show to provide some entertainment and we think they did a great job! You can check out their website at http://www.therockabellas.com/

Another inspiration individual to visit us was Paralympic athlete Martine Wright. Martine was injured in the 7/7 bombings, but went on to compete as a sitting volleyball players at London 2012. Her amazing achievements have been recognised with the BBC Helen Rollason Award. We were very pleased to show her our mobile simulator and hope she might consider taking to the skies for her next challenge!

We had a great time and would like to thank the Mobility Roadshow team for such a great event. We'd also like to thank everyone who came to meet us - if you would like anymore information please don't hesitate to contact us on info@aerobility.com. Roll on Mobility Roadshow 2014!

A Busy Few Weeks for Aerobility!

Hello there!

As always, things have been very busy and there’s lots of exciting news to catch up with. Below are a few stories from the past few weeks – if you have any stories or photos that you would like to share with the Aerobility community please feel free to email them to Geri (geri@aerobility.com) and we will add them to the next update!

Blast from the past…

This week we were very pleased to have a visit from Tim Ellison, one of the founding members of the original British Disabled Flying Club. Tim landed at Blackbushe in his very impressive BE-36 Bonanza after a flight across the Atlantic, and the Aerobility team were very keen to take a look!

The Bonanza!

Tecnam Training

In anticipation of the arrival of our brand-new aircraft, Tecnam UK Managing Director and friend of Aerobility, Captain Tim Orchard, visited us at Blackbushe to deliver a bit of ground-school. To ensure that we are ready to receive the Tecnam, Tim spent some time with some of the Aerobility instructors and member pilots delivering some preliminary training and type conversion information.

The ground-school was a great success and we are looking forward to the delivery of the Tecnam even more now!

All smiles as the Aerobility team go back to school!

Mobility Roadshow, Telford      

This year it is the 30^th anniversary of the Mobility Roadshow, and we are delighted to be exhibiting again. With the mobile simulator and new balloon seats on show, the Aerobility stand is certainly a highlight!

Dave Rawlins manning the Aerobility stand

The Aerobility team, led by Brian, will be at the roadshow until tomorrow. It’s a great opportunity for to showcase the work that we do and make sure that as many people as possible know the opportunities that are available.

Volunteer Instructor Mick showing Tony the mobile simulator.

FSDP Scholars

Over the last three weeks, we’ve been very lucky to be joined by two Flying Scholarships for Disabled People scholars. Audrey and Claire have made amazing progress, battling against poor weather, facing the dreaded Air Law exams and keeping up with lots of new information.

Audrey with her instructor, Peter.

Claire with Aerobility CEO Mike.

Both Audrey and Claire have been a great addition to the Aerobility team at Blackbushe, and as they come to the end of their scholarship training we wish them the very best of luck in the future!

The 2013 Aerobility Raffle

This year’s raffle is well under way and ticket sales are going strong! Don’t miss out on your chance of winning one of the amazing prizes on offer. For more information, check out this link: http://www.aerobility.com/raffle/raffle-2013.php

That’s all for now – don’t forget to send in any stories or photos, we’d love to hear from you!

Happy Landings

The Aerobility Team

BBMF Weekend: 6th/7th July, Blackbushe Airport

The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is an iconic commemoration of the both the individuals and the aircraft that have made up the rich history of the RAF. With a unique collection of historical aircraft, including the famous Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane, BBMF represents the RAF motto in all that it does – Lest We Forget.  

The aircraft are regularly seen at events commemorating World War II, upon British State occasions, notably the Trooping the Colour celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's birthday and at air displays throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Now, we are also able to offer a taste of the BBMF to you from the Aerobility HQ at Blackbushe airport!

On Saturday 6^th and Sunday 7^th July, the BBMF will be basing one of their prized Spitfires at Blackbushe. In a show of generosity, they have very kindly made the Spitfire available to friends of Aerobility – just to have a look, not to fly unfortunately! The Spitfire will be available for viewings with the BBMF team between 16.30-18.30 on Saturday 6^th and between 10.30-12.30 on Sunday 7^th. Weather permitting, we should see the Spitfire fly once or twice.

Alongside the exciting opportunity to get up close and personal with the Spitfire, we will be offering flights in our very own PA-28 Simulator to get your flying skills up to speed. On Saturday afternoon, we will also be running an aviation-themed baking competition – so get your creative baking mitts on and start experimenting! All cakes will be available for a small donation, so they’ll need to taste as good as they look…

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity – get it in your diary now! We look forward to seeing you there!

Saturday 6^th July:

·        Aerobility HQ Open: 14.30-19.30.

·        Spitfire landing: approximately 15.20. Spitfire departing: approximately 19.30.

·        Spitfire Viewings: 16.30-18.30

Sunday 7^th July:

·        Aerobility HQ Open: 10.00-14.00

·        Spitfire departing: approximately 13.30

·        Spitfire Viewings: 10.30-12.30

Aerobility and Tecnam - partners to inspire

Aerobility and Tecnam - partners to inspire. Click the link for the article.

Aerobility Activity Week at Airways Airsports, Darley Moor

The weather couldn’t have been better for the first day of Aerobility’s activity week at Darley Moor. Five Aerobility members gathered in expectation of three days of Gliding, Paragliding, and Hang Gliding. In the event the high wind meant that Gliding was to be the only offering on day one, but what a choice. Guy Westgate briefed participants on what was in store; a flight in his Fox glider including the opportunity to learn the techniques involved in looping and rolling. A procedure to hoist all participants into the glider worked well and once seated and strapped into this most beautiful (and I am assured strong) machine, it was time for the tow to 4000 feet. 

Testing the hoist!

Keeping in position behind the tug is perhaps more difficult than might be imagined. We released from the tug in typical Guy fashion with the Glider inverted, and then after some basic turns it was time for the first go at a loop. I tried to recall my briefing “Descend rapidly at 45 degrees to gain speed, level off, pull back and start to relax pressure as you reach the top”  sounds simple , but what a thrill when you complete your first (no doubt very untidy) loop. Another two goes and I was hooked, but now on to the roll. “Descend rapidly to gain speed, level off, pitch up 15 degrees, and stick hard over” The Fox does exactly what you ask, what a machine! Guy finished the session with demonstrations of a four point hesitation roll, a stall turn and finally a quarter clover. The Fox lands at a high speed, but Guy still managed to come to a standstill in exactly the same spot we had started from; true precision.  

A fantastic day out!

This was an amazing experience that I will always remember, our thanks to Guy and all the team at Airways Airsports, who looked after us royally all day, we will be back.

Briefing in the Derbyshire sunshine with one of the canine locals!

Written by Brian Catchpoole

A Visit From The British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society

This week, we were very pleased to welcome members from The British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society (BACCES) Committee to Blackbushe. BACCES produce an annual pantomime and donate the proceeds to charity. We were very kindly put forward to receive a donation from the proceeds of the 2012  panto, Aladdin, by an Aerobility supporter, and were very pleased to accept a donation of £400.

The Aerobility team and BACCES Committee members

We would like to say a very big thank you to BACCES and all involved - we're looking forward to getting into the panto spirit at this year's Dick Whittington production!

AeroExpo 2013: A Wonderful Weekend

This weekend, we were very pleased to attend AeroExpo at Sywell Aerodrome. As always, it was a great event showcasing the aviation industry with lots of like-minded aviators to meet and introduce to Aerobility. The Aerobility stand was very busy, manned with a large team of dedicated volunteers. We took our PA-28 G-BSYY to show the public the benefits of having a hand control, which generated a lot of interest from passers by. 

The Aerobility outside exhibition space

Also on display this year was our new ballooning venture - we took along our specially designed balloon base complete with its newly made stand which allowed potential users to test out the accessibility of the seats. It also gave our volunteers somewhere to rest their weary legs! The balloon seats proved to be very popular and many people stopped to ask if there really wasn't a basket to go around them...

Audrey, Nick, Mike, Pedro and Mary showing off Aerobility Ballooning

A highlight of the exhibition, not just for Aerobility but for everyone that attended, were the amazing glider displays performed by gliderFX's Guy Westgate. As an Aerobility Ambassador Guy was a fantastic representative for the charity, drawing in lots of positive interest with his Aerobility branded Fox glider. When it wasn't busy displaying, Guy parked the Fox up next to G-BSYY and spent time demonstrating how to hoist someone into the front seat. Guy performed each day with the assistance of his tug pilot, Paul.

Guy showing off the impressive display ability of the glider....

... as well as it's functional capability

Guy also treated those that waited patiently on Saturday evening to a breathtaking display at dusk, complete with pyrotechnics and LED lighting. The display reduced the crowd to complete silence, and with no background noise to compete with the swooping and swishing sounds of the glider as it twisted and turned through the air had a magical effect.

The display was a highlight for all that saw it.

Guy challenges the limits with every display, an attitude consistent with Aerobility's own. 

AeroExpo was also a great chance for us to catch up with old friends and update them on all of our activity. It also saw the return of our much-loved Aerobility mascot, Wilbur, who wasted no time in going round to let everyone know that he was back. A hit with the kids and adults a like, Wilbur managed to get himself snapped with anyone who is anyone!

Wilbur with the Pooleys gang.

Stopping to catch up with the latest news...

With our friend Dean from Nicholson MacLaren

And he even managed to catch our Chief Executive, Mike Miller-Smith!

We were also very pleased to see our friends from Haywards Aviation Ltd, who are a great support for Aerobility. Hazel was busy selling raffle tickets and Matthew made sure that entry onto their big red bus was subject to a few pennies in the box for Aerobility.

Mike with Haywards Aviation Ltd.

One of the big success stories of the weekend was the launch of the 2013 Aerobility Raffle. We were busy selling tickets all weekend, with a big push on Saturday evening when everyone was happily fed and watered in the sunshine! The hard work of all of our volunteers, as well as from the Haywards team and even a few visitors who lent a hand, saw us sell over 1000 tickets. Not a bad start at all! The raffle is running until the 1st September, when we will be drawing the winning tickets at the LAA Rally, which is also held at Sywell. With first prize being a private lunch or dinner with Buzz Aldrin, this is not a raffle to miss. For more information, have a look at the website... http://www.aerobility.com/raffle/raffle-2013.php

So that's it for this year - we're already excited for AeroExpo 2014........

AeroExpo 2013

The Aerobility gang are enjoying AeroExpo at Sywell Aerodrome, where we are exhibiting this weekend. We have just been treated to a display by Aerobility ambassador Guy Westgate, who has parked his glider up next to the PA-28.

Come down and see us - we're here all weekend! 

A Wet and Windy Bank Holiday Update

Hello there Aerobility fans!

As the weather closes in for the Bank Holiday Weekend, the chances of getting much flying in are getting slimmer and slimmer. So to keep your aviation reserves topped up here is the latest from the world of Aerobility!

RAF Duxford meets Mary...

Last Saturday, Blackbushe Airport was closed for flying due to the Blackbushe Model Airshow 2013. With a busy day of model flying there was no room left for the full size aircraft, and so Senior Flying Instructor Mike Owen went out for the day with Aerobility members Pedro and Mary. The destination was a great experience for both students; Mary told us that flying into RAF Duxford was something she had never expected to do!

Mary and Pedro shared the flying, with Pedro taking the first leg and Mary seeing the gang safely back into Blackbushe.

Once Pedro had completed a successful landing, the team took in some of the sights and sounds of RAF Duxford. With the whole day to fill, there was time for an educational visit to the American Air Museum, which is home to the largest collection of US military aircraft in Europe, as well as a look round a few of the impressive aircraft that call Duxford home.

Mike and Pedro upgrade from our PA-28 to the impressive VC10 G-ASGC 'BOAC Cunard'

Mike, Mary and Pedro were also lucky enough to get up close and personal with the B-17 Flying Fortress G-BEDF, or Sally B as she is known to her friends. The 55, 000 lb Second World War Bomber is the only airworthy B-17 left in Europe, and is kept alive and well by the hard work of the B-17 Charitable Trust. For those that are interested, more information can be found on their website http://www.sallyb.org.uk/

Pedro with the beautiful Sally B

After all that excitement, the only thing left to do was to return G-TALE to base. As Mary said, we "saw lovely things, learnt stuff, ate junk, and then I tried to fly, breath, and map read back to Blackbushe via Cranwell and Westcott." 

Can you spot G-TALE?!

Onwards and upwards at Tatenhill...

Aerobility member, Mark, has been training with CFI Craig at Tatenhill for nearly two years. Determined to succeed, Mark has been making the 250 mile-round-trip from his home in Cambridgeshire to the airfield on a regular basis in an effort to gain his licence. Mark has always been a fan of all things aviation, although as a sky-diver in a previous life he's had to get used to making sure there's an accompanying landing for every take off! In 1989, whilst living in his native South Africa, Mark was in a car crash that left him relying on wheelchair and put a halt to his daredevil antics.

After moving to England a few years after his accident, Mark began to miss the thrill of flying. As he told us, "the long-standing desire to learn to fly kept burning, and I slowly got my act together and joined Aerobility." Once he began his training, it became clear that Mark was a natural. He quickly mastered the "bum-shuffle" technique and with the help of a VisionAir hand control was able to develop his own style and technique to safely and independently operate the PA-28. 

The patience and hard-work of both Mark and Craig has all paid off, and two weeks ago Mark embarked on his solo qualifying cross country to Gloucester and Leicester. Craig told us that he was "a little apprehensive when I sent him on his way but when he returned a few hours later the apprehension had gone and he had a very big smile on his face!"

Mission accomplished!

So what next for Mark? "After a bit of consolidation and hours-building, I'd love to do some air-touring, possibly round Ireland and Scotland. My mum is a fan of flying too, so she is definitely going to get some rides; same goes for my sister! Many thanks to them, the rest of my family, friends and other animals for their enthusiastic support!" We wish Mark the very best of luck with his continued flying and hope to help in the search for a plane with a hand control a little closer to home....

An afternoon in Wales....

Truly nationwide now, Aerobility CFI James Brown was taken on a day trip to Wales by member and student Brian.The aim of the trip was to get a new perspective of Snowdonia - Brian wanted to see what it looked like from the air rather than the view he was used to from the ground. So,with the weather looking just about as good as it was going to get, the pair set out for Caernarfon.

A flight plan was concocted on a best-case-scenario, direct route and then scuppered by the Welsh clouds. Best laid plans and all.... The mountain bloc of Cader Idris was completely blacked out, forcing a diversion to the west where Brian was able to pick up the cost at Barmouth. From there, the weather cleared and the full splendour of Snowdonia came into view. With this achieved, it was time for a spot of lunch at the lovely Caenarfon Airport for a bit of lunch before turning round and heading home.

The return journey bought just as many weather-related challenges, as well as spectacular views. Whilst James and Brian had been having their sandwiches, the bad weather (which included a few snow showers!) had moved south and covered Brian's next sight-seeing target, the Elan Valley. The Brecon Beacons provided a great replacement and eased the disappointment. James and Brian did a quick fly past of the old Severn bridge before following the M4 all the way home. 

A big thank you...

Our friends at Nicholson Maclaren popped in a couple of weeks ago and brought the sunshine with them! They also brought us a donation, which was very gratefully received and for which we would like to say a big thank you!

Mike and Brian with Dean from Nicholson Maclaren.

A Summer Event...

This year, the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium is holding its Summer Ball in aid of Aerobility. The ball will be held on Friday 12th July at Sandhurst Military Academy and is set to be a fantastic night. We'd like to say a very big thank you to FAC and hope that many of you will make it the event not to miss this summer.

For more information, check out the links below:

http://news.hugofox.com/2013/05/22/summer-charity-ball-in-aid-of-aerobility-champions-of-disabled-aviation/

http://www.fac.org.uk/


Youth In Aviation...

This week we were very pleased to be invited along to the House of Lords as a member of The Air League's  UK Youth in Aviation Panel. The awareness raising event, which was organised by BA Pilot and Air League Trustee Andy Perkins, was a great success and well attended by aviators and parliamentarians alike. We introduced many more people to the work of Aerobility and continued raising awareness about the possibilities that aviation holds.

Aerobility on the road...

We are very much looking forward to exhibiting at AeroExpo UK 2013 next weekend at Sywell Aerodrome. This promises to be, as ever, an amazing event and we hope to bring our own little bit of Aerobility flare! Aerobility ambassador, Guy Westgate, will be displaying in his Aerobility branded Fox Glider on each day of the exhibition, and may even be towing a special Aerobility message! We will also be displaying our new ballooning project and launching the 2013 Aerobility Raffle so make sure you don't miss out. 

More information can be found at http://www.expo.aero/uk/

Over and out...

That's all for now - we hope you have a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend!

Happy Landings

The Aerobility Team

Save the Dates!

A Few For Your Diary!

The Mobility Roadshow - Telford International Centre
27th - 29th June 2013

Once again Aerobility are delighted to be attending the Mobility Roadshow, and in this, the shows 30^th year, we will be showcasing some of the most exciting aviation opportunities available to disabled people in the UK.

Aerobility are the only charity in the UK to exclusively operate Aircraft for the benefit of the Disabled community, and this year we are adding Hot Air Ballooning to our activities.

Following trials last year, Aerobility have chosen the duo chair as the ideal apparatus to enable disabled people to fully participate in this exciting sport. The chair which can perhaps best be described as an open gondola; enables easy access for those with limited mobility. Once safely seated and strapped in, the balloon can be fully operated from the seated position. Aerobility plan to assist at least two disabled people to obtain a Ballooning Private Pilot’s Licence within the year. Visitors will be able to see and try the actual Duo Chair on the Aerobility Stand.

Not that we have neglected our core activity of flying fixed wing aircraft. Over the years many Roadshow visitors have gone on to take advantage of our subsidised trial flights. These flights enable people with varying impairments to fly our modified Piper aircraft. Visitors to the Aerobility stand will be able to operate our fully accessible flight simulator, and talk to disabled pilots about the opportunities available to would be disabled aviators.

Aerobility at the Mobility Roadshow 2012

If you intend to visit the show, do please pop over to the Aerobility stand and say hello, it’s always good to catch up with members and old friends.

Aerobility Members Day - Blackbushe Airport
13th July 2013

This will be an opportunity for all members and supporters to get together and for us to present a report from the board and share with you our vision for the future growth, development and security of Aerobility. We will also be presenting the finally accounts to those who were previous members of BDFA so we complete the transition to Aerobility. 

We will also be having a BBQ and hope to have lots of flying on the day, so make sure you keep the date free and keep an eye out for more details!

The Aviators Ball 2013 - Sofitel,  Heathrow Terminal 5

Saturday 30th November 2013

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Aviators Ball - do not miss out! The price has been frozen at £95 and the event is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Members should call Blackbushe HQ to book their tickets, with general sale available on the website. 

For more information, please visit www.aviatorsball.com

Youth In Aviation Reception

On Wednesday 21^st May, The Air League - together with a host of other aviation organisations -  will be descending on the Houses of Parliament to highlight to politicians and industry stakeholders the social benefits of youth access to aviation and the vital connection such activities have with the future prosperity of the UK’s aerospace industry. The Air League have very kindly invited Aerobility to attend and to contribute to the event from the perspective of disability. 

The now annual ‘Youth in Aviation’ reception celebrates the achievements of the participating voluntary organisations, with the key message for parliamentarians being that all of the aviation organisations involved are committed to making aerospace available to all members of society, from all walks of life.

Commenting on the event, Baroness Anne Gibson, event sponsor said:

“It is well known that the UK aerospace industry is number one in Europe and second only to the US globally. This can only continue if there is a constant supply of highly motivated young people willing to support this thriving and diverse industry by entering the industry in all manner of roles.  The reception is a great way to celebrate the success of all of the organisations who are helping to nurture tomorrow’s aviation professionals.”

For Aerobility, the chance to be involved in this event represents a great opportunity to promote the contribution that people with disabilities can and do make to the aviation industry. With so many interested parties in attendance, we hope to spread the Aerobility message to those who care about aviation and who can help us to continue making a difference. 

The event was underpinned by the production of a Position Paper on UK Youth in Aviation entitled ‘Aviation for Everyone’ which profiles all of the aviation organisations involved in the reception. It also contains a number of key recommendations to Government. The document can be downloaded from The Air League Website: www.airleague.co.uk or www.youthinaviation.org

We look forward to the afternoon and will report back on our progress! 

A Flight To Remember

“Air is freedom”.

For Mark, who is profoundly deaf, the chance to take control of a plane was something that seemed to be an impossible dream. Whilst Mark has always held onto the ambition of becoming a commercial pilot, he had resigned himself to the fact that his inability to hear would remain a barrier to achieving this goal.

However, not one to give up, Mark found Aerobility and took the first steps towards realising some of his dreams. On a rainy Saturday in April, Mark made his way down the motorway with a very close eye on the ominous black clouds that seemed to be following him. Mark told us that “I lost my hope” of being able to fly that day, with hail, wind and rain to contend with, but on arriving at Aerobility HQ he was reassured by Mike and Brian that sunshine was just an hour away.

Mark and his family waited patiently in the café, and although they tried not to get their hopes up Mark did say that whilst watching the other planes he wasn't sure if he was more excited or his two and half year old daughter was! Finally the weather cleared and, after a briefing from Mike, the budding pilot was all set and ready to go.

With his heart beating faster and faster, Mark tried to take in everything that Mike was showing him on the control panel and prepare himself for the flight ahead. After a smooth take off, the changeable weather made for a bit of a bumpy ride and Mark told us that he found himself asking “erm, is this normal?!”

Getting used to the controls!

After a little bit of practice and some guidance from Mike, control was handed over and Mark found that all of the information he’d been given in the briefing finally made a bit of sense! The half an hour flight was over much too fast, and Mark said that he didn't want to land because being in the air made him feel “free as a bird, with no worries on the ground.”

This amazing achievement is a testament to Mark’s determination to overcome the barriers that stood between him and flying. He thanked Aerobility for giving him a new experience, saying that he had “never felt so WOW”!

In the air at last...

If, like Mark, you would like to fly then get in touch with us. There are no barriers that cannot be overcome.