This week Aerobility and it's Chief Executive Mike Miller-Smith were featured in industry-leading publication Flight International in the regular "Working Week" column which features key personnel from within aerospace. 
All at Aerobility would like to wish all our members,volunteers, friends and supporters a fantastic Christmas and the best possible year ahead.
Thanks again to Aerobility member Elaine Brichard for her hard work fundraising for the charity. A 4 figure sum is quite a feat in these challenging economic times.
Kevin Arblaster (39) of Aldridge has, through a scheme offered by the charity Aerobility managed to overcome his Cerebral Palsy to ‘fly solo’ for the first time in his life.
Mr Arblaster, who has been flying regularly since 2007 had until recently always been accompanied by a co-pilot or instructor. On 12th December, Kevin took the huge step of flying a light aircraft on his own at Tatenhill, near Burton Upon Trent.
Commenting on his experience, Kevin said he couldn’t believe what he had just achieved.
“Having Cerebral Palsy and being able to take control of an aircraft is a great experience in itself. However when your instructor feels that it is time for you take the massive step of doing your first solo, it is a totally different experience all together.”
Kevin explains that for a person with disabilities, a short solo flight such as this is about more than being able to control an aircraft; it means that “within the past 10 minutes you have in fact overcome your disability”.
Aerobility is a British charity (reg. 1081804) that enables light aviation for disabled and profoundly ill adults and children, turning the dream of flying into an exhilarating and fulfilling reality, allowing them to pilot an aircraft. Flying offers a complete change for the disabled, stretching horizons in every sense. Outcomes of flights include a realisation of ability and that life is very much for living.
Mike Miller Smith, CEO of Aerobility said, "Flying an aeroplane solo is an achievement for anybody, let alone somebody with a disability such as Kevin. He has worked really hard, and with the time and support of our instructors and our specially adapted aircraft, Kevin has been able to achieve his dream. We're really pleased to be part of this fantastic achievement. We work with over 300 disabled people every year, more and more of which are from the Midlands as we develop our Flight Training Centre at Tatenhill Airfield with the help of our friends at Tatenhill Aviation. Credit is also very much due to Kevin's Aerobility Instructor Craig Knott"
Aerobility operates from four centres across the UK, including the airfield at Tatenhill.
Over 400 people attended the evening, with notable guests including Gerald Howarth, Minister for International Security Strategy, TV entertainer Jon Culshaw and the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team. After a gourmet three course meal guests had the chance to bid on some incredible auction prizes, from a high speed taxi run in the Vulcan XH558 to a Breitling Aerospace watch.
Mike Miller-Smith, CEO of Aerobility said:"Without doubt this year’s Aviators Ball was our most successful yet. We cannot hide from the current global economic situation, yet with the unwavering support of our existing sponsors, our new sponsors and the generosity of our brilliant supporters, we have raised a record breaking sum for the charity."
"The amazing generosity of the guests at the Aviators Ball reflects the huge support there is for this project and will enable us to fund many hours of flying instruction. The Ball has established itself as one of the highlights of the aviation calendar, thanks in large measure to the inspirational leadership of Mike Miller-Smith and his team."
1. Aerobility is a British charity (reg. 1081804) that introduces the gift of flight to the disabled and the terminally ill