Supporting Special children and their Relatives and Families (SCARF) enjoy their Aviation Experience at Aerobility

During the half term six families from SCARF (Supporting Special Children and their Relatives and Friends) a parent-led charity based in The New Forest who organise social and holiday events for children with a range of disabilities and special needs such as autism and cerebral palsy enjoyed an aviation experience at Aerobility.

The children particularly enjoyed learning how to fly on our simulator, buggy rides around the airfield and finding out about being a pilot from our team of volunteers and flyers.  They also had a tour of one of our airplanes and had fun making and flying model aeroplanes.

If you are interested in booking an aviation experience for your group please contact Aerobility (Tel (0303 303 1230 Email info@aerobility.com) for more information.  

Congratulations Richard Bulley on your first solo flight

The Aerobility Team are very pleased to announce that Richard Bulley has achieved his first solo flight. 

 

Anneliese Perrior his flying instructor said “he flies beautifully; he was very calm, methodical and organised.  It is a huge achievement.  I feel very proud to be part of his experience.”

Ironman Andy Taylor Raising Money for Aerobility

Andy Taylor is undertaking the massive challenge of an Ironman to raise funds for Aerobility. Andy has instructed for us and supported us for many years.  He is now training hard and plans to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and run 26.2 miles on 31st July 2016 in the Maastricht Ironman.  

To donate to Andy's fundraising page please follow the link below : 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewTaylor4 

All of us at Aerobility thank Andy and wish him the best of luck.

AEP Meteorology

This week's AEP was on the very British topic of weather!

The group looked at cloud types and did an experiment to create their own clouds. This involved a jar of water, ice and a match!

They also looked at TAF's (Terminal Airdrome Forecasts) and METAR's (Meteorological Actual Reports) They studied the weather charts from the previous week, looking at the codes and how to decipher them.

They then watched a video on how thunderstorms form and were enthralled when Steve recreated lightning in the classroom using a battery to make a current jump between two metal rods! The group then looked at the effect of lightning on an airplane and learnt that it will in fact travel through the plane.

It was a very interesting and informative session.

Handiflight 2016 Gruyere Switzerland 7th - 14th August 2016

Every two years, the Aero Club of Gruyère organise “Handiflight”, a worldwide meeting of disabled pilots enabling them to share experiences and enjoy incredible flying in the Swiss mountains. Opportunities may also be available for gliding, ballooning and other aviation pursuits. In the past, disabled pilots from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, USA, Sweden, UK, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy have attended and enjoyed the pleasure of flying in this stunningly beautiful region. Over the years Aerobility have attended this event with both our aircraft and flyers enjoying this week long event.   This year there are a limited number of places available and at this stage you are invited to apply to be placed on a list of interested persons. To achieve the most from attendance, we would envisage that participants, whilst not, necessarily requiring a full PPL, would as a minimum, have attained a basic competency in aircraft handling. As a guideline we expect the costs involved to be in the region of £600 for the return flight out, road transport, and accommodation, although internal flight and other optional aviation experiences can add considerably to this amount. Driving out and attending by road is also possible. The current plan is to attend with three Aerobility aircraft although exact numbers are still to be decided. We will contact those chosen with further details and a more accurate costing, at that stage we will require a deposit to be paid. Initial applications should be made to handiflight@aerobility.com

Brian Jones Talk and Book Signing

Where: Aerobility Hangar, Blackbushe Airport

Date & Start Time: Saturday 5^th March 2016 , 3pm

"What if the world is flat?" An incredible insight into one of the greatest flights in history – Breitling Orbiter 3 talk by Brian Jones, Q&A Session and Book Signing.

On March 21, 1999, Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard (Breitling Orbiter Team) touched down in the Egyptian desert after a gruelling journey begun 20 days earlier amid the snow-capped peaks of Switzerland. Where 21 previous attempts have failed, they had triumphed… in flying non-stop around the world in a balloon.

Hear about how the 3 week journey saw war, storms, ice and technical failure all threaten to bring the balloon – and their dreams – crashing to earth.

In his talk, Brian Jones tells how this, and the backing of a skilled and remarkable team, brought them to that moment of success in the Egyptian desert.

It’s an inspiring story. Emotional, intense and ultimately joyous.

After the talk Brian will be hosting a Q&A session and signing his book ‘The Greatest Adventure’ with proceeds going to Aerobility and the Winds of Hope Foundation.

If you would like to book a place at this event please email events@aerobility.com or call
0303 303 1230 for more information.

Veteran hopes to take fellow wounded, injured and sick heroes to the skies

A Liverpool veteran who was paralysed from the waist down after a motorbike accident has found a new lease of life by taking to the skies – and hopes to instil fellow veterans with the same passion for flying.

Alex Krol, 33, of Formby, has credited the charity Help for Heroes with supporting him in his recovery after his accident in 2005, which led to the end of his military career with the Royal Marines. The Charity has provided him with more than £18,000 in grants.

Paralysed from the chest down with serious spinal injuries, Alex is a full-time wheelchair user but he never gave up on his dream to pilot an aircraft.

He said:  “I was gutted to leave the Marines. I was young, ambitious and having the time of my life before my career was cut short.

“After the accident, I was in a bad way for a couple of years but I soon realised I was still fit and I tried as many activities as possible. I still had that ‘can do’ mentality that is instilled in every recruit throughout Commando training.”

In 2008, Alex applied for a scholarship with Flying Scholarships for the Disabled. He went to RAF Cranwell and was lucky enough to get a full scholarship for 45 hours flying in South Africa to do his private pilot’s licence.

Currently Alex has to travel from Liverpool to London to use a plane especially adapted for disabled people to fly but hopes soon that hand-controls will be ready to fit to a plane at Liverpool John Lennon airport.

He then plans to introduce flying to other disabled veterans in the area, through flying school Ravenair.

Alex said: “Flying gives me an amazing buzz. Being disabled, there are not many thrills in life but this is definitely one of them. 

“Flying a plane is hard enough.  But wheeling up to a plane knowing the spotters are looking over my shoulder thinking ‘but where's that bloke’s instructor’ gives me a great kick.  I'm hoping others will take my lead and join me one day.”

Alex is actively involved with disabled flying charity called Aerobility.

He said: “We are hoping to host Help for Hero Flying days throughout 2016 for wounded injured or sick personnel to come and try their hand at flying.  Hoists and winches will be available to enter and exit the plane for those with limited mobility like myself.”

Mike Miller-Smith, Aerobility Chief Executive, said: “Aerobility exists to make aviation accessible to all, whatever the disability, and our close partnership with Help for Heroes is effective in making participation in flying and aviation activities accessible to the wounded, injured and sick military community.

“Flying is not just great fun, but, in the background, it also helps re-instill confidence and skills for those that participate.

“It is a privilege for Aerobility to support Alex in his flying goals. His enthusiasm is infectious, he has a great aptitude for flight, and we look forward to working with him to bring accessible flying to Liverpool and the North West.”

Alex, who is from Aintree and went to Maricourt School in Maghull, said staying positive and getting involved with sports and fitness has been the key to his recovery.

He is a wheelchair skills trainer with the charity Whizz Kids and goes into schools and hospitals to teach people how to become more proficient in using their wheelchairs. Help for Heroes funded him with a light weight wheelchair to help him deliver these sessions.

Alex is a member of Help for Heroes Band of Brothers, network, which provides life-long support to those with a career limiting/ending injury or illness attributable to service.

He said: “Help for Heroes has really supported me. They have awarded me a number of grants and I have been away on several events with the Charity, such as the Wounded Warrior Soldier NYC Ride 2015. I also took part in a flight simulation day with Band of Brothers at the University of Liverpool, which was a fantastic experience.

“Help for Heroes has also helped me out with one or two flying courses as well as a lot of sports equipment.”

Alex is also a keen skier and is a member of the Armed Forces Para Snowsports Team, representing his country at the highest level. The Help for Heroes Quick Reaction Fund provided a grant for Alex for a carbon-fibre-sit-ski. The ultra-keen athlete also takes part in triathlons and did the Help for Heroes Hero Ride in 2015, using his specially adapted handbike, funded by his former unit.

Bryn Parry, CEO and Co-founder of Help for Heroes said: “Help for Heroes is proud to be supporting Alex as he rebuilds his life beyond injury.

“We understand that no recovery journey follows the same path which is why it so important that a holistic, individual approach to support is available.

“We are excited to follow Alex’s progress with his flying and are committed to supporting him, and all those who have been injured in the line of duty, for life.” 

Persimmon Homes Thames Valley to support Aerobility in 2016

As is often the way, a meeting with Persimmon Homes Thames Valley Managing Director Martyn Clark who flies himself and who quickly recognised the value of the charity's work over two years ago, the seed was sown and the relationship has developed into a great partnership with Persimmon Homes choosing to support Aerobility this year.

It was a real pleasure to host the staff of Persimmon Homes Thames Valley and demonstrate the life changing work of the charity first-hand, and a moving moment when the £4000 raised so far was presented to the charity. The generous fundraising of the Persimmon Homes team will make a genuine difference, and directly supports us to provide ongoing flying opportunities for at least 10 disabled people throughout the year.

The Persimmon Homes Team were keen to learn more about our activities, they enjoyed sitting in the aircraft and hearing about the power of flight and how it has the ability to improve the lives of disabled people. We look forward to working with the staff of the company throughout the year. Together we can make a real difference. 

 - Mike Miller-Smith, Aerobility CEO