May 22, 2018

Wing Walking Daring Dozen!


 




Fundraisers take to the skies to raise money for Aerobility  
On Tuesday 15th May 12 daring individuals took to the skies for an exhilarating challenge as they completed a wing walk at RFC Rendcomb in Gloucestershire to raise money for Aerobility. 
The wingwalkers were strapped on the top wing of a biplane, experiencing an exciting series of flypasts, zoom climbs and steep dives!  
One participant, Emma Parry, NATS employee, who had done a wing walk before, was brave enough to be strapped to the plane while the plane performed loops and barrel rolls. 
The 12 fundraisers raised a total of more than £10,000. The valuable funds raised will be used to support ongoing flight training bursaries for up to 10 disabled people. 
This was the second consecutive year Aerobility have organised a fundraising wing walking event and we will be looking to do the same again next year. 
Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith MBE, said: “I’d like to thank all of our participants for taking part in the wing walk and for raising a fantastic amount of money for Aerobility. The money they have raised will help us to continue the work we do using aviation as a tool to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.” 
This year is Aerobility’s ’ 25th anniversary and we have lots of fundraising events planned for the rest of the year to celebrate our anniversary.  
Thwing walk was made possible in partnership with AeroSuperBaticshttp://www.aerosuperbatics.com/ 
Location:  RFC Rendcomb Airfield, The Whiteway, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 7DF. 


May 16, 2018

The Aviation Club's trip to Farnborough Airport Fire Station

The Aviation Club, our monthly fun, sociable club for young people (14 - 18yrs) with physical disabilities and/or mild to moderate learning disabilities, took a trip out to Farnborough Airport last weekend and were lucky enough to have a guided and hands on tour of the fire station!







Big thanks to Firefighter Pete Powell and his team for a great 'Firefighter for a day' experience.  Aviation Club members experienced working as a team; using water hoses, firing the cannon water hose on top of the fire engine, rescuing the casualty from the underground training area, and they were also able to take a close up view of the equipment Firefighters use whilst fighting fires.





Thanks also to TAG Farnborough Airport for allowing us to visit the terminal building and also to Gama Aviation Flight ops for giving us a talk about their operation and allowing us to visit their Lear 45 aircraft.

Such an exciting day topped off with a surprise viewing of a Spitfire aircraft flying over Farnborough airport!

If you'd like to join our Aviation Club please email gail@aerobility.com for more details.

May 11, 2018

WO Jenny Olivant decides to see out her 35 year career in the RAF with a fundraising Wing Walk!

WO Jenny Olivant 

Before I leave the RAF later this year after 35 years of service, I thought I would try one last new activity before I go off to enjoy a peaceful retirement. So I decided to take part in a rather crazy charity event. I’ll be doing a sponsored Wing Walk in aid of Aerobility!! This will involve me being strapped on the top wing of a Breitling biplane, being flown through the air at up to 150mph doing flypasts, steep dives and zoom climbs!  

 
This madness takes place on May 15th at Rendcomb airfield, former WW1 RFC airfield near CirencesterFingers crossed for a calm and sunny day! 






Aerobility is a charity which gives disabled people the chance to fulfil their dream of flying, whatever their disability.  



For some, just that amazing first flight is enough to change their outlook on disability forever. Others, realising that the fantasy of flight is truly in their grasp, decide to continue their training - many all the way to securing a Private Pilot's Licence, some even with an outlook to commercial flying. 


 I have pledged to raise £750 however; I have already almost doubled my personal target of £1000. If you fancy supporting me in this good cause and help me to meet my target then please go to the MyDonate page link below   



https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jennyolivant1