Marathon Heroes

Aerobility is extremely fortunate to have had 2 marathon runners in last weekend's prestigious London Marathon. Congratulations to both Andy Jennings and Saul Allison on their fantastic achievement. Thank you both for your incredible efforts supporting Aerobility, and thank you to those that have sponsored them.

Saul Allison achieved a cracking time of  4hrs 22 mins. A great achievement for anyone, however Sauls achievement is even more incredible as he has profound sight loss.  "I am still pinching myself this morning that I have done it after all the training since Christmas. Words can't describe how pleased I am to have done it for a great cause. This morning my legs are getting better but still hurts when sitting down and walking up the stairs, but it has been worth it."

Andy Jennings  (33059) achieving a blistering time came close to rivalling even professional athletes.
"In perfect running conditions I completed the race in 3hrs 1min 54secs, not far off a personal-best so I am very pleased.  This was good enough for 1358th place - and only 49mins off the Team GB Olympic qualifying time!".

Please please please recognise their efforts by visiting their fundraising pages and making a pledge:

Saul Allison


Andy Jennings

BFBS interview with Aerobility

Aerobility was recently interviewed during British Forces Broadcasting Service popular afternoon show with listeners all around the world.  Presenter Charlene Guy talks to Aerobility Chief Executive Mike Miller-Smith.

What it's all about!

Another trial lesson, another smile.  What it's all about!

(Ros Bracewell, a new member, after her trial lesson on 10th April 2012.)

Mike Miller-Smith, then and now.

A sunny afternoon recently offered us the opportunity to clear out some of Aerobility's equipment still stored at Lasham. And just look what we found.......

.......that's right.... if you look closely, you will see Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith (now) holding a large poster of himself being hoisted (back then!!). Mike wasn't particularly keen to keep hold of this picture, but a campaign has now been started to have it unveiled again. :-)

Nathan's continued success...

Aerobility would like to congratulate Nathan Doidge for successful completion of his first landaway, from Blackbushe to Goodwood and return (pictured here having just landed back at Blackbushe). 

Nathan went on to pass his NPPL NST (Navigation Skills Test) last week and hopes to finish his NPPL training in the next few weeks.  Nathan's speech is affected and so special procedures have been adopted to allow him the same air traffic services as everyone else. (Thanks go to air traffic controllers at home, Farnborough and Goodwood for their assistance with this).

AGM Venue Location 19th May 2012

Aerobility are pleased to announce the location of this years AGM on 19th May which will be at Minley Manor, courtesy of our friends in the army at Gibralter Barracks. The Manor is about a mile from Blackbushe.

Minley Manor Officers’ Mess

Minley Manor can be found just off junction 4a of the M3 motorway. The entrance to the Manor is signposted from the A327. Please note that the entrance into the Manor is fairly narrow, with only one car being able to pass through the gates at a time, please take care when entering and exiting the Manor. The Guardroom will be immediately in front of you. You will be asked to provide your name and show some form of identification (driving licence or credit card etc…) to grant you access into the Manor and will be directed to the parking area.

Please note that Minley Manor is on the opposite side of the road from the main camp, Gibraltar Barracks. You should come immediately to the Minley Manor entrance; there is no requirement to go into Gibraltar Barracks first.

Bracknell Kids Flying Day

Our first flying day with a group of disabled youngsters from Bracknell via the charity ' Kids' went really well. Team leader Clare told us..

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for an amazing day.  Our young people got so much out of it, it was absolutely brilliant and indescribable to see how much joy and confidence they got out of realising they were flying the plane.   Please thank all your team for their hard work and patience on the day. You are all amazing."

A great group From Bracknell Kids. We look forward to working with them again.

Novice runner Adele gets ready to go the distance for Aerobility

Go for It Adele! Good luck from all at Aerobility. Please follow the link at the end of the newspaper article to Adele's Justgiving page and give generously in support of her fantastic hard work.

Portsmouth newspaper article

The Aerobility Garden

Aerobility volunteers Katy, Audrey and Andrea have been digging in the hard dry ground of Blackbushe Airport to create a welcoming horticultural lead in to our building..

Thanks also to Graham from Air First who was nobbled into using the fork on his way past!

Members Opening-Day Pictures

Over Easter I finally had time to sort out recent photographs. Here are some nice snaps from our recent members open day at Blackbushe.

Great to see so many members

Next generation Aerobility volunteers

Full House

Great Spread

Chatting in the warm spring sunshine

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.