A bit of Friday fun - name that car!

Firstly and most importantly - thank you so much to Signs Express Farnborough, not only for your year round support, but also for this amazing signage which was kindly produced and donated to our Aerobility vehicle!

To mark the occasion we are inviting our friends, flyers, followers and supporters to come up with a name to officially christen our car.

Simply place your suggestions in the post comments (Facebook/Twitter/Blog) or please send to info@aerobility.com.

The chosen name will be announced in the new year - we can't wait to hear your suggestions!

AEP Flight

On the 5th December the AEP group studied Flight.

They began the session with a christmas themed phonetic alphabet quiz. This was followed by looking at the four forces of flight - weight, lift, thrust and drag.

The group then split in to small groups and together built propeller driven vehicles from kits.

They took their inventions to the hangar where they raced them.  It got quite competitive at times and a few minor adjustments were made to improve performance!!  






The session ended by looking at the design of various aircraft and the effects of the the forces upon them.

It was another great session - we are always amazed by the knowledge of the group.



 

On Tuesday 6th December, a group from St James' Place, enjoyed an Aviation Experience day at Aerobility, Blackbushe Airport.
Take a look at the photographs and read some of the comments from the group

"Lots of the adults who weren't with us on Tuesday commented that our members had obviously had a great time as they hadn't stopped talking about it yet! Other members are green with envy and want to know when they can go!"

"We had a very positive and fun day with you all. The volunteers, and everyone we met, were very welcoming and treated our members with respect and friendliness"

"Jon has decided he'd like to be a pilot (watch out!) and Carlos described his day as 'awesome'!  They really did have a fantastic experience; each of the activities you had planned was absolutely right for our members and pitched at just the right level so that they each gained something valuable,whether that was increased knowledge or greater confidence in themselves and their abilities"

    "The highlight  was the flight sim and it was wonderful that some of the lads seemed to 'have the knack', even if there were a few crashes on landing!"

 "We had a very positive and fun day with you all. The volunteers, and everyone we met, were very welcoming and treated our members with respect and friendliness." 

Celebrating the 10th Aviators Ball

So it has taken a few days, but our feet have finally reached the ground after this year’s Aviators Ball.

We hope we speak for everyone when we say 2016 really was a phenomenal event, exceeding expectations in a variety of ways.

It is our pleasure to officially announce the total of this year’s funds raised as a breath-taking £85,235!

To each and every person involved – sponsors, flyers, attendees, performers, prize donors, volunteers, staff, supporters, hosts, production – an enormous thank you to the sky and back. 

This incredible result is all down to a combination of exceptional hard work and generosity.

We will be back to share some of our favourite photos and video from the evening very soon. 

Thank you once again for your invaluable support - we really couldn't do it with out you!

Visit to the House of Lords Wednesday 23rd November 2016

Aerobility was invited to attend a UK Youth in Aviation reception at the House of Lords to highlight the role that charitable aviation organisations are playing in nurturing tomorrow’s talent.

Gail Barkes Aerobility service development and volunteer coordinator attended along with volunteers Nicola Saunders, Andrea Lowndes and Stephen Pearson.

The reception was hosted by the RT Hon Baroness Sue Garden of Frognal in association with the Air League of which she is a member of the council, she spoke of how important the work of all the organisations and charities are in promoting aviation as a career path for young people and encouraging and inspiring those that enter the variety of professions from being a pilot or engineering and development, also to the charities and organisations that are championing accessibility to experience aviation for those with disability or life limiting conditions.

This was followed by short presentations from young people that had benefited from the support of the following organisations:

The Air League

Youth in Aviation

Aviation Skills Partnership

Royal Air force Air Cadets

Royal Air Force museum

They all spoke of how they have been inspired by different sectors of aviation and were passionate and eloquent in their delivery of their own individual experiences.

The closing speech was given by Matt Hancock Minister of State for Digital and Culture who again emphasised the role that digital development plays in aviation, especially when you look at the huge advances in technology , and how inspiring young people to take up careers in aviation is vital to our country’s prosperity and standing in the global economy.

AEP Engineering

On Saturday 19th November Alan lead a session on Engineering.

The group got lovely oily hands looking at the various parts of combustion and jet engines.

They watched videos of how a jet engine works and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the jet engine.  Working from a sheet they had to work out which type of engine various aircraft had.

 It was a very informative session and as always the group joined in well with some excellent input.

Aviators Ball - Silent Auction NOW OPEN

Only three days to go until this year's Aviators Ball!

We have a spectacular night of entertainment planned for you and hope you are as excited as we are!

To add to the excitement, we are delighted to announce our silent auction - officially open.

There is no need to miss out - whether you are joining us at the Ball or not, everyone is welcome to register and bid on our silent auction!

Make sure to take a look at the incredible prizes we have on offer this year, with a chance to be ahead of the game by placing a bid before Saturday night. 

For those of you joining us on the night, we have also included a sneak peek at the live auction items we have in store.

Every penny raised will go towards supporting the amazing work of Aerobility. 

Click here to be taken direct to the auction site.

Happy bidding!

Winners of the Aerobility Photo Competition 2016!

AEROBILITY AIRSHOW PHOTO COMPETITION 2016

Thank you again to everyone who entered - the competition raised an amazing £400 for Aerobility!

We are delighted to announce the WINNERS of this years photo competition are: 

In FIRST place - Jason Evans, with - Draken Moon

In 2nd place - John Madden, with Polish MIG 29

In 3rd place - James Walters, with An Explosive Finale

Our RUNNERS UP (in no particualr order) are: 

Paul Thwaites, with – WWI Sopwith Snipe at sunrise

Jane Dagnall, with – Typhoon struck by a sunbeam

Neil Atterbury, with – Polish MIG in the dive

Steve Brimley, with – Reach for the sky

Sergio Vazzana, with – Red Tails

Alasdair Leng, with – Atlas

Jo Ayres, with – Up Close

Neil Atterbury, with – XM655 Reflected

Susie Jackson, with – Boeing Stearman Loop

Huge congratulations to each of you - here is a reminder of those all important prizes:

FIRST PRIZE

Photographic visit to Heathrow airport control tower courtesy of NATS.

Winning photo featured in the Aerobility magazine with photographer’s portrait;

Day shooting with world-renown aviation & wildlife photographer (www.andyrouse.co.uk )

Free copy of the 2017 Aerobility calendar

SECOND PRIZE

Photographic visit to Heathrow Airport control tower courtesy of NATS.

Day shooting with world-renown aviation & wildlife photographer (www.andyrouse.co.uk )

Free copy of the 2017 Aerobility calendar

THIRD PRIZE

Free copy of the 2017 Aerobility calendar

All prize winners and runners up will have their winning photo featured in the Aerobility 2017 calendar. 

We have also created a gallery of all entrants which is available for you to view here. 

AEP Fire and Rescue

November 5th was the appropriate date for our latest AEP - the topic being Fire and Rescue.
The group looked at why we have Fire and Rescue and the different levels provided at different airports.

They also studied the fire triangle and learnt the three elements needed to start a fire - air, fuel and heat.  They played a very competitive game of fire triangle bingo.

They then looked at emergency plans and the importance of those plans. They split up in to pairs and pretended to respond to an emergency call finding out exactly all the information needed to send the right rescue service to the scene.

It was another excellent session - the group never cease to amaze us with their enthusiasm and knowledge.

New Scholarships available - Application process now open!

Aerobility are delighted to announce we have recently established two fantastic Scholarships working together with our partners, the Douglas Bader Foundation and an exciting new partnership with SkyDemon. No matter what your background, civilian or services – all applications will be assessed on an equal basis. 

Perhaps you have started to learn to fly, have previously received a flying scholarship, are short on funds or have been grounded for a while and need just a few more hours to finish your licence or additional rating? If so you can apply for one of these amazing Scholarships and get back in the air with Aerobility and the help of our friends. 

Click here to download the Scholarship application form and return to us through info@aerobility.com or by post to Aerobility,  Blackbushe Airport, Camberley, Hampshire GU17 9LQ.

Our huge thanks to our partners SkyDemon and The Douglas Bader Foundation for making this possible.

Funding is limited, so please ensure your application is with us as soon as possible. All applicants must have passed their Air Law exam to be considered. 

In other exciting news! Are you ready to take your flying to the next level?

The Douglas Bader Foundation are looking to establish a disabled pilot display team - Bader's Bus Company! 

To be considered to participate as a display team member, individuals must have completed their PPL, but it’s as simple as that. Each person will receive full training in formation flying along with training in how to safely deliver flying displays and demonstrations.

Please email info@aerobility.com to register your interest and for further information. 

Three solo flights in just two weeks!

Within the space of two weeks, we have been delighted to announce first solo flights by three ex servicemen, Paul Spanner, Mark Sines and Mark Bartlett - an incredible achievement for each of them!

This would not have been possible without the combined resources and partnership of Aerobility, Help for Heroes, The Air League and Boeing UK - and of course, some serious determination and dedication from all three men themselves. 

Not only are they a total inspiration, but they all scored 100% in their Air Law exams! This is pure testament to how hard they have worked - and perhaps evidence that the inter-service rivalry is still alive and well!

Each of them individually marked their success on their social media with some great images and heartfelt words about their journeys to this point, which we have gathered for you below: 

Paul setting of for his first solo flight.

Paul Spanner 
"Well its been a long time coming but this Thursday past I took to the skies of Surrey and Hampshire solo for the first time, Supported by Aerobility, The Air League and Boeing UK and Help for Heroes Band of Brothers. 

My journey with Aerobility has been life changing, building confidence and a significant cornerstone in my recovery from a brain injury sustained in 2013. The journey is not over yet though there is more to do and much more to experience with this amazing organisation. 

Paul beaming after a successful solo landing. 

Thank you to the Aerobility team especially Anneliese for signing me off on the first chapter of a new and exciting journey. Who would have thought just over a year from first being introduced to the Charity I would ride and Ski for Great Britain, pass my MSc, be accepted for a scholarship to read for a PhD, oh and captain an aircraft all on my own. 

Paul and Aerobility Flying Instructor, Anneliese Perrior. 

This is the beginning of great things and my debt of gratitude can not be expressed enough. It was my partner Tracey who led this horse to water and I am drinking from a fire hydrant now - I truly love Tracey for guiding me so far over what has been at times a difficult path to follow for us both and hope to take her flying with me very soon"

Mark setting off for his first solo flight

Mark Sines
"Well today I need to thank my lovely wife, big style - if it wasn't for her love, support and belief in me I would not have been here today at Blackbushe Airport. It has been one year and one month since she bought me the first trial flight.Since then and thanks to all the support, patients, and perseverance from the fantastic instructors at Aerobility, I have now flown solo today for the first time!

It has been six hard years for my family since I woke up one morning in severe pain and unable to walk. Three major operations to my back and neck followed in an attempt to rectify the severe stress placed on my spine during my Army service, and give me a chance to gain movement back in my legs. I am fortunate these procedures were largely successful, although I am left with uncontrollable intermittent leg paralysis due to irreparable nerve damage. I put my family through hell with the severe pain, depression and mood swings, but through it all they have stuck by me. 

Mark with Aerobility Flying Instructor, Christine Stopher.

Flying with Aerobility has brought a positive change - when I have had a bad week and been in a lot of pain, just sitting in the aeroplane makes such a difference. For the first time I have control over something - it's just me with no medical professionals telling me what I can and can't do. 
I also owe a big thanks to Help for Heroes, The Air League and Boeing UK who as an ex serviceman have awarded me a grant to live my dream of training to obtain my PPL. 

Apart from marrying my beautiful wife today has to be one of the biggest highlights in my life since it completely changed six years ago. Aerobility make the dreams of many people with a disability who want to fly come true, and today they did that for me. With their support they have made me believe in myself again, restored my self-esteem and brought my dream of taking my wife for a flight even closer. Thank you!"


Mark Bartlett

A substantial solo flight smile from Mark.

"I have always wanted to fly and today I went solo! I'm so grateful to Band of Brothers for introducing me to Aerobility, who supported me in gaining funding from Help for Heroes and the Air League to make this possible. I'm one big step closer to achieving my goal of PPL - lots of thanks to everyone at Aerobility, Help for Heroes, the Air League and Boeing for funding this opportunity; and of course most importantly, the wifey, Lucy Bartlett for supporting me too. 

Arriving back safely at HQ. 

I get such a buzz from flying and have found my drive and ambition to achieve again. I'm really excited about my future career and the foundations I'm creating for a new life. When I was out of work and living on benefits I felt so restricted. My world has now opened up - the freedom I feel in the air helps me manage my pain and it feels great to be using my brain again - I know if I push myself, I can become a commercal pilot."

AEP Air Traffic Control

We had a great Aviation Education Programme session last Saturday - the topic was Air Traffic Control and was lead by our new lead mentors Martyn and Nigel, who both happen to be ex air traffic controllers.

After practising the phonetic alphabet and revising the compass points, Nigel explained exactly what Air Traffic Control (ATC) is and where and when it is used.  The group watched a short video about the control centre at Swannick and listened to a typical radio transmission.

The group then went in to the hangar and learnt how radar works by pretending to be radio waves and aircraft!!

The session ended with the group splitting up in to pairs and acting out the roles of air traffic controllers.  They all did very well and had the right voices for ATC!