AEP Air Traffic Control

Saturday's Aviation Education Programme was on Air Traffic Control.  It was the second in the ATC module and, after a short recap on radio frequencies and the phonetic alphabet, the students went on to learn basic Voice Procedure (the correct version, rather than the Hollywood variety).  This was followed by a map exercise looking at the different services provided by ATC and touching on the problems of wake turbulence caused by different types of aircraft. 

To demonstrate the difficulties and time pressures faced by controllers at large commercial airports the last exercise let the students take the part of the controller and attempt to keep a number of different aircraft from colliding while vectoring them towards Final Approach.  The students learnt that controllers might be able to earn a living by looking out of the window at aircraft, but they don't get time to day dream!

Give 2016 a Flying Start with our great AEROBILITY calendar!

REDUCED - £5 - REDUCED

Limited edition - order now while stocks last.
All our own work... photographs used were taken by Aerobility Flyers and Supporters at airshows, events, and our home at Blackbushe. 

12 unique images of aircraft in action.
12 cameo shots from the home of disabled aviation.

The featured photographs are exclusive to Aerobility and a must have for all aviation enthusiasts. 
Treat yourself to a useful New Year's present

Super value -  £10.00!  Last few remaining just £5 !

Just follow the link - http://shop.aerobility.com/2016-aerobility-calendar---last-few-remaining-just-5-179-p.asp

All proceeds go to Aerobility who help make the sky a brighter place for our disabled Flyers.

AEP Airfield Operations

The subject of the latest AEP session was Airfield Operations.  The group looked at Farnborough Airport and it's development. They discussed the services offered and watched a short film.  They then looked at charts of the airport and placed symbols on the chart to represent the tower, windsocks and runways etc...  They ended the session by designing their own airfields.  They split into two groups and it was interesting to see how the two airfields differed. Lego models were used to represent all the airport buildings and they had to consider terrain and prevailing winds to place the runways in the best position.  It was a very informative and fun session.

Return of the Vulcan, talk by Dr Robert Pleming

Saturday 30th January, 4.30pm
Aerobility HQ, 
Blackbushe Airport,

We are delighted that Dr Robert Pleming, Chief Executive of the Vulcan To The Sky Trust will be joining us at Blackbushe to host a "Return of the Vulcan" talk including some fascinating footage of the aircraft and a question and answer session.

This exciting event will celebrate the iconic Vulcan and is the perfect talk for aviation enthusiasts.

This event is free to attend although we do ask for a small donation for refreshments on the day. Please confirm your attendance in advance by emailing bridie@aerobility.com or calling 0303 303 1230.

We're looking for a volunteer Aero 'Jumble' Coordinator

Aerobility has a network of volunteers supporting our work. We've found a great way to fundraise for the charity is to sell second hand aviation ‘jumble’ at key events. In 2016 we're looking for a dedicated volunteer who is available to organise our aviation ‘jumble’ and get it ready for sale at aviation events throughout the year.

Responsibilities:
• To organise and stock-take the goods available, as well as pricing.
• To help sell goods at aviation events across the country.
• To promote Aerobility and its values at all times.

Tasks may include:
• Sorting out ‘jumble’ and preparing it for sale.
• Pricing products ready for sale.
• Keeping a basic record of what is available.
• Selling the goods at events to raise money for Aerobility.
• Helping to list available products on the Aerobility website & other sites such as eBay.
• Help to source new stock by communicating with the flying community.

Please note that this is a voluntary role with no fixed time commitment.  It will involve travelling to events, such as air shows, throughout the year.

For more information or to discuss the role further email bridie@aerobility.com 

Thank you to the ISTAT Foundation

On Tuesday 15th December Aerobility were visited by Julian and Annette from the ISTAT Foundation who have helped pay for new avionics in our PA28 G-BMFP aircraft.

The upgrade to our aircraft is going to make a significant difference to its usability and ability to support our disabled flyers.

We thank them for their support and look forward to continuing our relationship with the Foundation in the future.

Aerobility Volunteer Christmas Party

On Tuesday 15th December Aerobility invited it's team of dedicated volunteers to Blackbushe for a Christmas Party to thank them for their support throughout the year.

The group enjoyed mulled wine, mince pies and an Aerobility quiz. Thank you to everyone who came along and made it a fun evening.

In 2015 Aerobility provided it's aviation services to over 500 disabled people, an achievement which could not have been met without the support of our wonderful volunteers!

AEP How We Fly

For the last AEP lesson of 2015 the students looked at How We Fly. 

The session started with the basic principles of flight - Lift, Weight, Thrust and Drag.   As a fun exercise the students then built propeller driven cars and tested them in the Aerobility Hangar to see how well different designs performed.  The first lesson learned was to make sure the car goes in the right direction!  The team went on to discuss how different designs influenced aircraft performance. 

To finish off Alan, our volunteer Engineer, had the students check the Aerobility Cherokee 6 to ensure it was ready for flight.  Let's hope that Alan can put the Cherokee back together again before it is next due to fly!

A Merry Christmas to all the AEP Students and Mentors and see you again in 2016.

Aspiring Pilot’s Celebrate Silver at Aerobility

Four Surrey Choices customers celebrated today at Blackbushe Airport with a certificate presentation in front of family and friends after successfully completing the silver phase of the Aerobility Aspiring Pilot Programme (APP).

Ashley Ruffle, Zoe Taylor, and Justin Munday, who all attend Surrey Choices’ Camberley Community Group, and Stephen Marlow, who attends its Farnham Community Group, took part in Aerobility’s first ever Aspiring Pilot Programme (Bronze) in April 2015. The Silver phase is the second milestone of the course which the group embarked on in October of this year.

The four-week course included flight training in a light aircraft and in a simulator, alongside a series of classroom-based lessons on aviation-related subjects.

Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith commented on how far the students have progressed since arriving at Aerobility. ‘The students have shown great development since the beginning of the Aspiring Pilots Programme. During the Silver phase they have bonded as a group, developed their basic literacy and concentration skills and increased their understanding of aviation’.

Zoe, age 40, said she had enjoyed the course so much that she now wants to complete the Gold stage of the course. During the course the students learned about communicating using the radio, and controlling the aircraft themselves which included turning, climbing and descending to land.

Aerobility Service Development Coordinator, Bridie Collins added ‘We couldn’t provide this service without the help of our volunteer mentors and thank Tony, Mireille and Paul for their ongoing support. The Aspiring Pilot Programme is one of Aerobilitys most successful ground based services to date and we hope to work with Surrey Choices in the future developing the range of programmes available for people with learning disabilities.’

Aerobility Christmas Cards and 2016 Calendar

Our 2016 original photography calendars are perfect stocking fillers this Christmas! A bargain at £10 each.

They are available to buy online or from HQ at Blackbushe Airport.

http://shop.aerobility.com/aerobility-calendar-2016-and-christmas-cards-packs-2015-17-c.asp

The Aerobility Christmas cards are a great way to show your support and raise awareness of Aerobility too! £10 for 12 cards.

All proceeds go to Aerobility.

Merry Christmas to all our friends!
http://

Breitling Watch Raffle

Congratulations to John Tye from Walton on Thames who was drawn as the lucky winner of the Breitling B50 watch. The winning ticket was drawn by Gavin Murphy from Breitling UK and Red 10 Mike Ling at the Aviators Ball on Saturday 28 November 2015. 

Thanks to everyone who supported us by taking part.

Aerobility are looking for part-time or full-time instructors

Aerobility are looking for part-time or full-time instructors (preferably unrestricted) to come and join the most wonderful charity you can instruct at. We operate a number of aircraft including EASA's first production adapted Tecnam and Piper PA28's and PA32 with hand controls. We require you to be able to work in the UK and most of all be adaptable in your approach to teaching. Aerobility cover a full spectrum of disabled flying so can offer a great opportunity for adaptable instructing techniques.

Aerobility operate from Blackbushe (EGLK) all year round and have fantastic facilities - including our own heated hanger!

A quote from one of our part-time instructors sums up what he thinks of working at Aerobility:

'Instructing for Aerobility is the best instructing role I've ever had; competitive pay and genuinely gives me more daily satisfaction than any other flying I do or have done.'

Send your brief CV to Mike Owen, CFI Aerobility at MikeOwen@Aerobility.com outlining your experience, licence and ratings and your availability.

See www.aerobility.com for further details.