October 31, 2017

Urgent - amazing opportunity to take part in an expedition from South America to Florida!

The deadline for applications is now Friday, best be quick!  

Please see the full details from VintageAirRally below.

'VintageAirRally is looking for people with an adventurous spirit of all ages and abilities to apply to their latest expedition, #Ushuaia2USA. In March of next year, VintageAirRally will be undertaking the most ambitious air rally ever attempted, taking 15 vintage biplanes from Ushuaia, the southern most tip of South America to Florida in just over 6 weeks. Teams are comprised of 2 people, a pilot and a co-pilot who will travel through 19 Countries finishing at the Sun n’ Fun Airshow in Lakeland Florida! The best part? It is completely FREE, yes you heard it FREE! VintageAirRally will cover the cost of the expedition! Applications close on the 1st November, so register your interest at this website NOW http://www.vintageairrally.com/rallies/upcoming/ushuaia2usa! All you need to do is submit a short 90 second video about why you want to be on the rally. You never know, you could be in Argentina next March!'


They are very keen that this should be an inclusive trip so applicants with any level of disability should absolutely apply as one of the aircraft provided will be accessible for most disability types - wouldn't it be amazing to be part of a team of disabled flyers taking part in this rally?  It doesn't matter what level of experience you have either as a lead pilot will be provided... There will also be the opportunity to fly in a Tiger Moth, although accessibility is limited on these aircraft.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

Good luck and please let us know if you are applying, email brian@aerobility.com



October 25, 2017

Please join us in bidding a fond farewell to Laura!

As many of you will remember, Laura joined us in March last year as our Fundraising Officer.

Although Laura is off to work pastures new, she firmly remains part of the Aerobility family and promises to be back to both visit and volunteer.

Some words from Laura...

"It has been so wonderful working with and getting to know everyone - I will never forget how welcoming you were when I joined last March and very quickly made me feel part of the furniture (in a good way!)

Aerobility is an amazing charity and I will certainly be sad to leave, but I can promise that it won't be the last you see of me as I fully intend to keep in touch and remain a volunteer.

Wishing you all the absolute best - take care x"

From everyone at Aerobility - thank you for all your hard work and we wish you the best of luck for the future!

October 23, 2017

Royal Aeronautical Society Parliamentary Reception

Our Chief Executive, Mike Miller-Smith, and Service and Event Development Manager, Gail Barkes, attended the 'RAeS 20th Anniversary Celebration of Outreach and Careers Service' Parliamentary Reception in the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons last week.  
This special event celebrated 20 years of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s dedicated aerospace and aviation careers and outreach service.
Speeches were made by members of the House followed by networking opportunities and afternoon tea!

A spot of shopping in the Palace of Westminster giftshop.
 The view from the terrace.

October 18, 2017

Initial Meeting - One Rivet At A Time - 2nd November at 18.00

Dear all,

The ball is now rolling and we'd like to invite you to join us at a meeting to discuss the 'One Rivet At A Time' project in more detail.
Come along at 18.00 on the 2nd November and find out how you can get involved, just email brian@aerobility.com to confirm your place, the meeting is open to all, we hope to see you there...




One Rivet At A Time - thank you BA!

‘One rivet at a Time’ took another step forward today when our friends at BA engineering donated some much needed workshop equipment. We collected a trailer full from Hayes yesterday. Pictured are John Hirst and Simon Boon of BA who helped to facilitate the exercise, our thanks to them both.


October 16, 2017

One Rivet At A Time



An important message from our Operations Manager.



Dear All,

I’m pleased to announce that the project to build our own plane is to go ahead. We have ordered a Zenair CH750 STOL (Short Take Off & Landing) and work has started to equip one corner of the hangar to carry out the work. Some of you may have attended our ‘Pull A Rivet’ session in February, this was presented by Jonathan and Patricia Porter of Metal Seagulls, and it is they who will provide the aircraft as the UK distributor.

The project, now named ‘One Rivet At A Time,’ will enable everybody to get involved, be it to place a single rivet or as a major contributor to the workload, those with an impairment or able bodied, all are welcome. I hope you agree this is an extremely exciting project, and one that doesn’t come along every day. We have lots of external support, it is now time for us to show these supporters and the rest of the world that we can make ‘One Rivet at a Time’ a success.


So this is a “Call to Arms." If you would like to get involved in any capacity, you are cordially invited to an introductory meeting to be held here at Blackbushe on Thursday 2nd November at 18:00. I hope I have chosen a convenient time for as many of you as possible, but inevitably this will not suit everyone, so if you would still like to be involved but can’t join us on the day, please let me know and I will ensure you are registered to be kept informed.
During the meeting I will introduce the project, the aircraft and how we might organise the build. Hopefully some video content to ‘whet your appetite’, and obviously plenty of time to ask questions. Just to emphasise, we want to see anyone who would like to be involved, be it to place a single rivet or as a major contributor to the workload, those with an impairment or able bodied, all are welcome. I hope you agree this is an extremely exciting project, and one that doesn’t come along every day. We have lots of external support, it is now time for us to show these supporters and the rest of the world that we can make ‘One Rivet at a Time’ a success. I look forward to welcoming you to the team.
Regards
Brian Catchpoole




October 13, 2017

Radio Rescue!

Calling all pilots - can you help us with our Radio Rescue campaign?


As we're sure you all know, there's been a change in the law regarding radio frequencies that will come into effect on the 1 January 2018.

As the CAA says:"From 1st January 2018 the law changes and all aircraft operating in airspace that requires the carriage of a radio must have 8.33 kHz-compatible equipment fitted and operational. After this date all 25kHz radios can no longer be used, unless specifically exempted for a particular channel such as the emergency frequency 121.5MHz. This means that all General Aviation (GA) aircraft must comply with this change to UK law to maintain safe communications with ground stations.
(The UK leaving the EU will not affect the implementation of this new legislation.)"


This means that there will be a veritable mountain of disused radios, mostly destined for the local dump!

However, did you know that Aerobility can make great use of your old and soon to be discarded radios?

We're launching a campaign called 'Radio Rescue,' asking our aviator friends, volunteers and sponsors to donate their old and now defunct units. Not only can we take the disused sets off your hands but we can also raise valuable funds for the charity through the overseas sale of these items.

It's a win win!

Speak to Wayne on the front desk via email frontdesk@aerobility.com or give us a call on the office mobile 07547 838511, and who knows, we may even be able to take other bits and bobs off your hands too including wiring, denunciation panels and racks.

Let's recycle and raise money too, join us in our Radio Rescue mission!




Here's our own Cherokee 6 in the midst of its new installation.


 




Please see the CAA's website for further details on the 88.3 legislation


https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/Aircraft-ownership-and-maintenance/8-33-kHz-radios/