Aerobility

Kilfrost Ltd Group Ltd based out of Haltwhistle, Northumberland have been extremely kind in donating some RDF De-icing fluid to assist Aerobility continue our essential operation over the winter months. Our thanks go out to Simon Charlesworth - Head of Sales and Marketing, Caroline Richardson - Sales Administration Support and Megan Gibson - Business Support Administrator for making this happen. Kilfrost RDF (Rapid Deicing Fluid) is a fully biodegradable, highly effective alcohol based de-icing fluid intended for the removal of frozen deposits on light aircraft whilst on the ground, down to -60°C. It can also be used treat exposed metal work such as hanger doors and manhole covers. This kind of support helps the charity maintain its core commitment to make aviation accessible for people living with a disability and promote the joy and wonder of flight (even if it is cold!)... Much appreciated... #AviationForAll #Kindness #WinterFlying

Aerobility welcomes the announcement of a new expert group set to ‘break down barriers’ to air travel for disabled passengers by the Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, at Manchester Airport. The taskforce, led by Baroness Grey-Thompson and including presenter Sophie Morgan, will spend the next nine months reviewing how to tackle problems which impact disabled passengers travel experience and dignity. Group members also include representatives from Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, travel agent association ABTA, assistance providers as well as Stansted, Manchester and Glasgow Airports. With 32 years of world leading experience in disabled flying, Aerobility understands that this is a stride towards fair air travel for all. We stand ready to support this invested and experienced team with our insights when required. Through The Equal Skies Charter, we have been working hard to ensure that aviation and aerospace is not only accessible to disabled passengers, but also accessible for the talented disabled professionals that are often overlooked. For us, weaving disabled people into the fabric of the aviation, airlines and airports workforce is fundamental. Today has the potential to be truly historic, the milestone when air travel for disabled people genuinely becomes truly practical, equitable and without stress, damage or discomfort. https://lnkd.in/e44CsM84 #Taskforce #DisabilityAccess #AviationForAll #AviationAccessibility

Continuing with our Disabled Women In Aviation series we'd like to introduce you to Amy and hear from her about her aviation journey so far. "My background was in law and not aviation in any way. That is, until I met Aerobility. I would say I had an interest before, now I have a passion. I completed the VAE course and knew I wanted to learn more. After my experience flight, I knew instantly I had been changed. Before, my life was constant pain and few friends and even fewer social engagements. Now, I am enjoying life for the first time and pursue all things aviation. I am over halfway to obtaining my PPL (private pilot licence) and have lots of friends through Aerobility and the BWPA (British Women's Pilot Association) and I can often be found at a social event mixing with fellow aviation geeks like me! My self confidence and self esteem are growing all the time and I have a purpose to life that I didn't have before. I am a proud official Ambassador for Aerobility and have really enjoyed the events I have been part of so far, to promote who they are and what they do. However, I would love to see more women flying with Aerobility. Especially women in wheelchairs like me. I am also proud to say I have obtained two scholarships through Aerobility and recently won the Derek Pake scholarship which I never dreamed was possible as a woman and being disabled. Most scholarships are aimed at those pursuing a career in aviation, so I was thrilled when I could prove that as a disabled woman, scholarships are possible if you know where to look. Without them, my flying journey would not be as far on as it currently is and I aim to achieve much more in the coming months ahead. When I have obtained my PPL I would like to obtain my night rating and Instrument rating(R) and then I am going to go all out to achieve my ultimate goal of being an instructor for Aerobility. As far as I am aware, they have never had a woman instructor who uses a wheelchair! I would love to be the first woman to accomplish that! To continue to prove that there are no barriers to what you can achieve in aviation if you are determined, have a strong work ethic and have the support from organisations like Aerobility to make it happen! My journey in aviation is still very much in the early stages, I am at 20 hours so far but my vision and passion for my achievements in the future is what encourages me to show what is possible for women who roll rather than walk."

Being a disabled woman in aviation often means facing a "double whammy" of challenges. As both a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field and a person with a disability in an industry that can be inaccessible, you are part of two overlooked minorities. This can mean encountering barriers related to gender inequality and the lack of accessibility or support for disabled individuals. However, it also offers a unique opportunity to break barriers, challenge norms, and bring a fresh perspective to an industry that is slowly evolving to be more inclusive. Over the past five years, Aerobility has seen a rise in female flyers, growing from just 12% in 2019 to 30% in 2024. However, we’re eager to see even more women take the controls and experience the magic of flight. As we launch our Disabled Women in Aviation campaign, we’ll be hearing from some of our regular female flyers and participants. They’ll share their personal challenges and how Aerobility has helped them gain confidence and embrace something completely new! #DisabledWomenInAviation #WomenInAviation #DisabilityRepresentation

📣 We have big news at Aerobility! Filming has started for our third and final season of Inspire-Ability. Inspire-Ability is a Podcast and YouTube series. Our host, and A320 Captain, Harriett Pound interviews inspirational figures providing our listeners exclusive insights into their career journeys and valuable life lessons they have learned along the way. This series promises to explore interesting themes including careers within the aviation industry, overcoming adversity, disabilities within the workplace, building resilience, changing stereotypes, mental health and much more. Follow Aerobility’s social media to find out when season three will be released. Can’t wait until then? Why not revisit our previous episodes. You can find us by searching Inspire-Ability on any major podcast platform or on our YouTube channel : https://lnkd.in/eK_C7Ne3 #YouTube #Inspireability #Podcast #Inspirational #CanDo

📷 Aerobility’s Hailey and Harvey having a great time at the Children of Courage Awards this afternoon! Thank you to theThe Knights Foundation for hosting this event, we look forward to continuing to work together. ☺️

Last Saturday, our AEP participants gathered for our first classroom session. We were joined by Aerobility volunteer and British Airways pilot Steve Pearson for an engaging “How We Fly” segment. Afterwards, we got hands-on with a fun paper airplane activity, taking advantage of the sunny weather to test our creations outside. #AEP #Students #AbilityNotDisability

The Aerobility hangar was bustling last night during the talk “The Work of the AAIB.” The event, held in partnership with Aerobility, SEMET Aviation and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch - UK (AAIB) focused on General Aviation and featured Alan Thorne, Senior Investigator at the AAIB and Lead Investigator for BA Flight 38, as the guest speaker. We hope to host more evening events for our flyers over the winter so please watch this space. #AirSafety #AirAccidentsInvestigationBranch #AAIB #Blackbushe

We are thrilled to share that our long-time friend and Aerobility flyer, Christian Saleta, has regained his EASA license! Christian actually began flying with Aerobility in 2014, earning his PPL in 2017. However, due to Brexit, he then had to retake the exam in Germany, where he discovered that flying opportunities and charities like Aerobility are hard to find. Christian says of Aerobility: "I would have never been able to gain a pilots license and to fulfil my biggest dream without Aerobility. You always need an organisation or team that supports and encourages you on the way to something new and special. People who already have experience and know how to overcome some of the barriers and problems you may face. In this way, Aerobility is still unique throughout the world. To experience the magic of flying should be possible for everyone - with or without a handicap. From a short trial flight, up to becoming a qualified pilot with very high training standards. Somehow, Aerobility has a pioneering role in flying for handicapped people, opening doors to the world of flying. And I wish many in the world will follow. Spending seven months in Britain with Aerobility to gain my pilots license were still the best days of my life with, massive physical improvements and so much fun." You can read the full story as published in the Irish Sunday Times: #EASA #PPL CerebralPalsy #Pilot

We'd like to say a big thank you to Avion Full Flight Simulators for offering Aerobility the chance to give six Aerobility participants the chance to fly their Airbus A320 simulator in Luton. The Avion team - Wouter, Ryan, Pierre and Angel - helped create a great atmosphere and were extremely friendly, professional and accommodating towards everyone. All our participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves and haven’t stopped talking about who did the best landing! Really appreciate the support from Avion, and hopefully we can continue this arrangement over the coming years… #Avion #FlightSimulator #LutonAirport