Doncaster deaf kids go flying with Aerobility

Our first flying day at Doncaster Robin Hood Airport has been getting some great coverage in the local press..

http://www.spenboroughguardian.co.uk/news/local/deaf-children-go-up-and-away-1-4419683#

Aerobility Flys Kirklees Deaf Children

Aerobility recently organised a fun introductory session for children from Kirklees Deaf Childrens’ Society, at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster. Despite extremely poor visibility at the start of the day, we were able to fly in two aircraft from Tatenhill and one from Blackbushe to ensure that we flew everyone. In all, we flew around eleven flights, and by all accounts the children very much enjoyed their introduction to flying.

Robin Hood is also home to XH558 the magnificent Vulcan, restored to flight by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust who hosted the children and arranged tours of this iconic aircraft.

Another Aerobility Student flies through the Skills Test

Cpl Dave Rawlins completed all his training with Aerobility and passed his JAA PPL Skills Test with flying colours on 21st March 2012.

A BIG well done to Dave Rawlins who recently passed his skills test. Dave, one of our Battleback students, had been ready to take his skills test for several months having completed the majority of his training in 2011. But previously booked tests had been cancelled primarily due to unsuitable weather. Dave kept in good flying practice, but when he popped into Aerobility's new flying base at Blackbushe last Wednesday, he wasn't expecting to take his test. He wasn't even booked to fly. He was, in fact. just passing by.  Big mistake!  The weather was nearly perfect and after making several inquiries, Dave was duly informed by his Instructor that he would be taking his test that afternoon. As he sat preparing his flight, reports were made of Dave muttering under his breath along the lines of having been 'stitched up' by his Instructor. But, in this instance, his Instructor was vindicated. Dave passed with flying colours. The examiner reported literally "no debrief points", i.e. Dave flew very well. The smile on his face sums it up nicely. Well done Dave.

Duxford Video

Gowrings Mobility has produced this Video of our recent collaboration at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. Click on the link below to view on YouTube.

Duxford Video

Aircraft Parking at Aerobility HQ

Doesn't time fly. We're fast settling into our new HQ at Blackbushe Airport and are pleased to announce new parking arrangements for our aircraft.

We've had to park the aircraft in various places till now, initially on the grass visitor parking spaces, then on hard parking (several hundred yards away from our building). But now we have two parking spaces right outside our building. See attached pictures.

Our thanks go to Clearprop Microlight School for agreeing to move their aircraft to make space for us.  We can now access 2 of our 4 aircraft very easily indeed, including easy access to the hoist too.

Cleaning Friday at Blackbushe

Thanks to everyone who turned up at Blackbushe last Friday in a great effort to get 'Yankee Yankee' and 'Foxtrot Mike' gleaming for our open day. Thanks also to the support of Frasers Aerospace who supplied us with complimentary cleaning materials. The days work was finished off with a rendition of Happy Birthday for volunteer Isabel who had kindly given up time on her special day to support us. Great effort gang, and thanks a lot.

Lucky Louise Wins a Flight

Lucky Louise Edwards of Aylesbury has taken to the skies above the Imperial War Museum at Duxford (IWM), thanks to Back Up, Gowrings Mobility and Aerobility. Louise won a competition through Back Up.

Said Micah Jorrisch of Back Up “We were very pleased to work with Gowrings Mobility and Aerobility to provide such a unique experience to one of our supporters. Our Facebook page was inundated with people eager to win the competition, but Lucky Louise won out! Working together like this goes to show that both Back Up, Aerobility and Gowrings Mobility are dedicated to helping people live confident and independent lives.”

The flight took place during the Gowrings Mobility Roadshow at IWM. The facilities at IWM offered an exceptional opportunity to work with Aerobility to give some lucky visitors a most inspiring experience – a 20 minute flight above the museum taking control of the specially adapted plane.


”Louise told us, “I had an excellent day and an exhilarating flight. I was a little nervous to take to the air but actually loved it and can't believe the pilot actually let me take control of the plane! Thanks to everyone involved for making it a memorable day. Who knows, maybe I will take to the skies again soon, it has certainly inspired me.

"Flying is Freedom" Says Derek

Aerobility were delighted to fly Derek Carpenter recently when he visited the Imperial War Museum at Duxford after winning a competion run by Gowrings Mobility. 64 year old Derek didn't let his disability stop him from taking to the skies and piloting a plane with Aerobility Instructor James Brown.

He said: “No sooner had we climbed to a thousand feet and the pilot James said to me, ‘The controls are yours Derek…’.

“What an experience, what joy. We flew near to where we live, Haverhill.

“All the time I was completing turns, climbing, descending, having a Ball.

“All too soon we turned back to Duxford, passengers comfortable, me buzzing.

“James asked me to hold the controls whilst he landed which I have to say was very exhilarating, then he let me taxi back to the hanger.

“It does not really matter what disability you have, with human spirit and determination obstacles can be overcome.

“You must try this, flying is freedom, and it empowers you.”

Derek, who has Prostate Cancer, type 2 diabetes and poor mobility, is involved with Cambridge Cancer Help Centre.

It was while researching some information about a wheelchair accessible vehicle for someone else at the centre that he heard about the competition.

He enjoyed an exhilarating and inspiring flight in Aerobility’s 4 seater plane.

His wife Rosemary and Ted Sage, the chairman of the trustees for the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre were his passengers.

Aerobility Flies Veteran Pilot at Duxford

MEMORIES flooded back for Second World War pilot William Hands when he took to the skies above the Imperial War Museum, during our recent flying event at Duxford.

William, 88, who also flew in action during the Korean War, said: “Flying again was great; it was easier to get in and out of the aircraft than I had expected.

“However, I would have liked to have done some aerobatics during the flight!

“The icing on the cake was going around the museum and seeing so many of the planes I had flown in during service.”

During the Roadshow at the Imperial War Museum, William viewed 19 of the 23 aircraft he had piloted including a Sea Fury, a plane he flew during the Korean War.

First Solo of the Year at Blackbushe

Steven "Monty" Monteith made a little bit of Aerobility history when he completed his first solo at Blackbushe recently. Our first this year.

Monty, who is sponsored by Battle Back, is pictured being congratulated by his instructor James Brown. We look forward to the celebrations when he completes his course; a great effort.

Support from Kent Strut

Gary Smith and John Dean from the Kent Strut of the LAA flew into Blackbushe on Tuesday to present us with a cheque for money raised by BBQ's, a Fly-in, Raffle and other fund raising activities

Many thanks to all at the Strut for your support, good to know the LAA community are behind us.

Happy Christmas

The office at Blackbushe will reopen on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

A very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year from all of us at Aerobility.