It's been a very busy few weeks here in the Aerobility world, with lots of exciting activities and interesting news to update you on. Our Blackbushe HQ is bursting at the seams and the aeroplanes have been kept busy with the weather slowly improving. We do hope you'll take a couple of minutes to read through a few little anecdotes and a bit of useful information!
Flying Fun
Aerobility flight instructor Mike Owen has been making the most of the good weather to get some day trips in with Battle Back student Andrew "Kenno" Kennedy. Last Saturday they completed a successful land-away to White Waltham, with the added bonus of a little bit of sunshine!
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| Another successful flight! |
James Brown, Aerobility's flight instructor extraordinaire, has been making use of the simulator on the rainy days. Here, Aerobility Member and Student Pilot Geoff Marshall flies an approach to runway 25 at Blackbushe. Remembering that a good landing starts with a good approach, Geoff is careful to configure the aircraft so that minimal control input is required during the final approach.
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| Geoff concentrating hard and seeing the results! |
Geoff made excellent progress during the exercise and will likely manage his first solo soon. If, like Geoff, you would like to work on your approach and landings, the simulator is a great way to go about this. Contact Aerobility to book the sim, instructed or solo. It's great practice and great fun!
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| A great tool for getting your circuits nice and neat! |
And on the ground....
We've also had lots of fun with ground-based aviation activities, with the Camberley and Farnham Community Groups coming for an Aviation Experience last weekend. The group were all very excited to be at Blackbushe, and threw themselves into the session with great enthusiasm. Our volunteer instructor duo, Nick and Mick, went from New York to Chennai in the flight simulator with some expert landings and a lot of laughter.
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| A few risky manoeuvres by Captain Matthew under the Hudson Bridge were the source of great amusement! |
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| As always, the work of our wonderful team of volunteers make the sessions possible - a big thank you to them! |
Successful Partnerships!
Recently we have run two introductory flying days for
wounded soldiers, the most recent having taken place yesterday. In total 40
soldiers have flown and shown an interest in learning to fly. Thanks to support
from our friends The Air League, sponsors Boeing UK, and our friends Help for
Heroes a number of these individuals will receive a scholarship to learn to fly
with us.
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| A fantastic partnership that provides great opportunities for all involved. |
Aerobility friend and supporter Guy Westgate is giving
Aerobility members first dibs on flying the incredible Fox aerobatic glider at
Bicester Airfield in Oxfordshire on Saturday 4 May. This glider is capable of
unlimited level aerobatics, has two seats, and most importantly is fully
branded in the Aerobility logo! First come first served by letting us know in
the office, info@Aerobility.com if you
would like to fly. Just the launch fees to pay so it is great value as well.
Gliding and rolling and looping with your fingertips..
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| He makes it look so easy! |
Long-standing friends of Aerobility, Boeing UK, have been very busy recently! Not only are they kindly supporting the Help for Heroes initiative, they have also been part of the very successful 'Schools Build a Plane Challenge' along with the Royal Aeronautical Society. The very first plane to be built and flown as a result of the scheme was launched at Yately School last week, with Mike Miller-Smith and Brian Catchpoole going along to show their support for this great aviation venture. Brian found the take-off into a very strong headwind particularly interesting. If you'd like to read more about this, please follow the link below to Boeing UK's media centre.
Ballooning and Aerobility
Aerobility are expanding their general aviation portfolio and venturing into ballooning! Sunday 5th May – Will be a Ballooning Introductory day at Blackbushe. Everyone is welcome to attend if at all interested in Ballooning, including potential ground crew. The Duo Chair will be on display and the day will include talks / lecture introducing Ballooning. At the end of the day participants will hopefully have a clearer idea as to whether Ballooning is for them and can put themselves forward for our first Ballooning Weekend at Tedworth (near Andover). Charge for the day will be £10; those interested should register with Brian at Blackbushe.
During May it is hoped to organise our Ballooning weekend at Tedworth. We anticipate providing actual flying opportunities for approximately six people drawn from those who attended the introductory day at Blackbushe. The costs have yet to be firmed up, but as a guide we would expect flying to use approximately £60 / hour in gas to which should be added retrieval and other sundry costs. Accommodation may be available, but has yet to be confirmed, if provided, it will be at cost. Further details are still to be firmed up, but interested people should keep an eye on the blog for further information.
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| Brian and Mike at a previous balloon meet - the wind wasn't kind on this occasion! |
All in all, we hope you agree, Ballooning represents a really exciting new opportunity, we look forward to being overwhelmed with your response!
The Virgin London Marathon
In another exciting ballooning event, our very own Brian Catchpoole will be taking part in this Sunday's London Marathon. He will be at the start line, pumped and ready..... but unfortunately is not taking on the grueling 26.2 miles. Brian will be accompanying The Breitling Academy in showcasing a new venture into disability ballooning. If you are hoping to go along to see the marathon, do try and pop down to see Brian - he will be there from 5.30am so all cups of tea (white, no sugar) will be gratefully received!
Brian is not our only representative on Sunday - we are also incredibly lucky to have two runners representing Aerobility! Please do support their efforts and donate if you can by following the links below.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=oliverwallace
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=andyjennings
Not only is Oliver Wallace completing this physically demanding challenge, he is also getting into the aviation spirit with a fantastic costume. We wish both Andy and Oli the very best of luck!
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| What an outfit! |
That's all for now folks - we hope you enjoy your weekend and get some flying in if you can! Don't forget that you're always welcome at Blackbushe, our kettle is always on and James is always smiling!
Happy Landings
The Aerobility Team
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