Meet Chris…
“I needed a challenge, something to focus on and a goal to aim for.” said 56-year-old Chris from Bristol, who was recently awarded a scholarship.
Chris Selway has T7 Complete Paraplegia and has had an interest in flying since his youth.
“I have tried numerous types of flying over the course of my adult life and the opportunity to have some sponsored lessons in a 'proper' aircraft was just too good to pass up.”
He was “ absolutely delighted and, to be honest, surprised” to have been awarded a flying scholarship.
Chris has gained a lot from the experience, saying: “Every lesson brought a new challenge and I seemed to be moving forwards quite quickly. What was absolutely daunting on my first flight started to become more natural as time went on.”
Chris says “I have applied for the next round so I hope to see you all again soon. If not, thanks for this experience, it was great!”
Meet Malky…
“The feeling you get when you are able to control an aircraft and fly in a life which you don’t always have much control over is priceless,” says 33-year-old Malky from London, who recently completed a flying scholarship with Aerobility.
“I felt it is an honour and a privilege to have gotten this opportunity which I am so grateful for.”
Malky, who has early onset generalised dystonia, told us: “Learning to fly has always been a dream of mine. I had tried elsewhere and all I kept on hearing was ‘we can take you up for a flight experience but not teach you to learn to fly because of your disabilities’. So, when a friend introduced me to Aerobility, it was a no-brainer that this is the place I was going to in order to achieve my dream!”
The scholarship has had a hugely positive impact on Malky’s life. She said: “The experience has given me so much more confidence and belief in myself. It has made me rethink my capabilities. If I can fly a plane, what else am I capable of?!”
“It also helped me to really assess myself to what I can do physically and push to achieve more coordination and controlled movements. That is besides for the amount it has helped me towards my ultimate goal - learning to fly a plane and working towards trying to obtain a PPL.”
“My only concern prior to flying was that it was something I would be unable to do with my disabilities, but the instructors at Aerobility did everything to accommodate and adapt to my needs.”
“It also gives me a tremendous moral boost when my parents, siblings and close friends see what I CAN achieve and are as proud of me as I am of myself.”
Meet Ann-Marie…
When 35-year-old Ann-Marie from Hastings found out that she had been awarded an Aerobility scholarship, she said: “It was the best feeling in the world.”
Ann-Marie, who is diagnosed with ADHD and Autism, said: “I applied for a scholarship because I love aircraft and I am always looking up when planes go over. I didn’t know that it would ever be an option to fly.”
“I didn’t think my application would go anywhere because my whole life things haven’t always gone the way I wanted. I seem to fail at a lot of things. But I just thought - I have nothing to lose.”
Ann-Marie was volunteering when she was invited for a trial flight. “I haven’t really squealed before, but I kind of jumped up like I’d won the lottery! I couldn’t get my words out when people were asking me what had happened.”
She told us that the experience has given her a great deal of newfound confidence.
“I have now started learning to drive (after a 10-year break) just so I can get to Aerobility to fly easier.”
“It has also given me more drive and ambition. I’ve stopped writing myself off all the time. My motto used to be, ‘If you don’t try, you can’t fail’ but I don’t think that anymore. I feel like I’ve got to try.”
Ann-Marie is also joined by ‘Pluffy’ the penguin on every single flight she takes. They are an unstoppable team, inspiring us all to reach for the skies!
“I’ve realised I’m happiest when I’m flying. You can’t beat that feeling.”
Meet The Fridge…
British Army veteran Dave “Fridge” Evans from Newport, Gwent was recently awarded an Aerobility scholarship courtesy of the fantastic people at Boeing.
Dave has reduced mobility in both ankles and both elbows and nerve damage in his left leg. He also has ADHD. On being chosen to be an Aerobility scholar, Dave said “I was beyond excited and felt extremely honoured and lucky to be given such an amazing opportunity. I have always loved planes and flight and learning to fly has always been a dream of mine.”
Aerobility’s scholarship scheme provided an opportunity unlike anything Dave has experienced before. Flying with Aerobility’s Deputy Chief Flying Instructor Andreas Bakolis at our Tatenhill base Dave says “I found the experience of flying in the Piper vastly different to flying in a commercial liner. Having the physics involved and capabilities of the aircraft explained to me so that I understood them in detail gave me confidence.”
Dave went on to say that the experience as a whole left him with feelings of “improved self confidence” and an “improvement in mental health.” He said: “Having ADHD can mean I get very stressed, and having a new focus helped to ease this. I would like to say a huge thank you to Aerobility and Boeing for helping me to learn new skills and develop myself. I am looking forward to continuing my flight training soon!”.
Dave recorded his first flight with us on his YouTube channel Fridge TV. Do take a look!
Meet Aishah…
“The team at Aerobility have given me life experiences which I wouldn’t have got anywhere else,” says 16 year old Aishah from Coventry, after recently completing her scholarship with us.
When asked about how it felt to be chosen as a scholar, Aishah said that Aerobility gave her “hope to continue my dream to fly.” She went on to say that she hasn’t met any team “as humble as those at Blackbushe and at Tatenhill. Aishah lives with multiple disabilities, including autism, dyslexia, as well as chondromalacia of the knees.
She told us: “Flying is my passion so I didn’t have fears about taking to the skies at all. But, when I thought about my specific disabilities I didn’t know how Aerobility would accommodate them. In the end I needn’t have worried as they were brilliant and helped me have a fantastic experience.”
The scholarship has helped Aishah in more ways than one. “I have grown in my confidence, aviation knowledge, and gone to see places which I couldn’t imagine. The scholarship has improved my flying and added more hours to my logbook. I now wish to become a pilot one day and work for Aerobility!”.
Meet Andy…
“Ecstatic!” is how Andy from Grantham describes his reaction to being awarded a scholarship with Aerobility. He goes on to say…
“I have always had a passion for anything to do with aviation, from the sound and look of modern-day jets, to the inner workings, engineering and physics involved in keeping a plane in the sky.”
Andy was paralysed six years ago, aged 29 in a motorbike accident and has found his new “limited lifestyle” very difficult to adapt to.
“Since I became paralysed, I have rarely been able to do anything to the full extent, I struggle to open the lid on a milk carton and struggle to put my phone on charge, so, being able to do almost everything in a cockpit is not only a real confidence boost, but also a real surprise and relief to me.
“The emotions and feelings I get from flying are something I haven’t experienced since riding a motorbike. I was very nervous at first and didn’t expect to be able to contribute much in terms of controlling the plane, however, the scholarship has given me something to study toward and look forward to each week.
“It has also proven that my fear of not being able to fly the plane was completely unnecessary. I have been able to do everything, apart from switching between the fuel tanks in the wings and administering the 3rd and final stage of flaps.
“I have ignited an urge to continue flying and hopefully working towards achieving a Private Pilot Licence."
Andy has been flying from our base at Tatenhill Airfield in Staffordshire with Aerobility Deputy Chief Flying Instructor, Andreas Bakolis.
“I have met two great guys while flying from Tatenhill. My pilot and instructor, Andreas, has been superb. He is calm and patient and explains the complicated side of things in an easy-to-follow manner - a great instructor.
“I have also met Kevin, an Aerobility volunteer, who has helped me into the plane every time by assisting Andreas with the hoist.
“I did have concerns about my physical abilities, strength and dexterity when flying, however, I worried for no reason, as I could do most things in the cockpit, despite only having limited finger function and not having the use of my core muscles.
“I do also suffer from motion and travel sickness; therefore, I was a little terrified of seeing my lunch for the second time, but thankfully, this fear was also unfounded!”.
Andy sums up his experience: “As soon as I saw the scholarship advertised, I knew that a door was now open to me which would not have been, had I not been disabled and not known about Aerobility.”
Meet Lina…
After a spinal cord injury, 25-year-old Lina from London has lived with quadriplegia, meaning she is paralysed in all four limbs. Lina discovered a moment of respite from her paralysis through flying, yet the cost of living as a university student means she’s been struggling to enjoy her new-found hobby. When she first set out to fly, Lina wasn’t without her doubts - would she be able to get to grips with it? When would her paralysis and loss of finger movement get in the way? However, Aerobility’s scholarship scheme has supported Lina in overcoming her worries and proving that there’s always a way.
Eager to take on the challenge of flying, she believes that being in the pilot’s seat is the key to building her confidence, fulfilling her dream of feeling like a bird, and affirming her mantra – “when there’s a wheel there’s a way!”
Lina says: “When I found out I had been chosen to take part in the scholarship, I felt a mixture of disbelief, gratitude, and honour.
Aerobility has gone beyond my expectations in settling those doubts and accommodating my needs. Something I’m forever grateful for!”
Catherine tells us her story…
I first flew in a light aircraft as an ATC cadet, aged 13, with Queens UAS in Belfast. During that flight I decided that I wanted a career in aviation as a pilot. In conflict with my family’s wishes, I pursued this and completed an RAF flying scholarship in Dundee, flying my first solo aged 16. I also completed an Air League flying scholarship in Newtownards and joined Northumbrian UAS. On applying to join the RAF I was awarded a bursary as a Navigator (rather than pilot), which I accepted as I felt at least I would continue to fly. Unfortunately, during training, a significant spinal injury led to me losing my fast jet ejection seat category and I was medically discharged from the RAF. With my dream shattered and career over, I had a deterioration in my mental health and developed depression. I went on to pursue a career in healthcare as a physio and took up sailing instead, but always dreamt of flying. In time my spine recovered, and I joined the army as a doctor with the RAMC in 2009.
I applied to Aerobility initially for a trial flight, through a military veteran scheme. When I was medically discharged from the army in 2017 with recurrent depression, I struggled to find motivation for finding work or indeed for living life, as I felt I had lost my confidence and purpose. Through H4H I tried out a few sports and activities, but none fulfilled me or recreated the enthusiasm and passion that I had for flying as a teenager. I was introduced to Aerobility when I attended a veteran’s event at Gatwick Airport where BA was offering airline simulator flights. Unfortunately, it then took me 18 months to pluck up the courage to apply for the experience flight due to my MH. My expectation was to fly once or twice just to enjoy the experience as a passenger as with a history of depression requiring medication, I did not think gaining a PPL was possible.
My Aerobility experience flight in a PA28 was fantastic and I was buzzing for days afterwards. I was encouraged to apply for the scholarship but given my concerns over eligibility for a pilot’s medical certificate I wanted to explore that first. An AME who is familiar with Aerobility reassured me and explained that although it could be a long process, I might gain a class 2 medical and that he believed rekindling my passion for flying would be instrumental in improving my mental health. I was awarded the scholarship and meanwhile pursued the medical. It took six months in order to change my medications, complete physical and psychiatric assessments and a medical flight test, until I was awarded my Class 2 medical on NYE. This meant I could progress to solo flying and aim towards gaining a PPL. Aerobility maintained their enthusiasm and encouragement throughout this time and I completed a number of training flights with an instructor. I was lucky to be awarded a second 5 hour scholarship to continue my progression.
Initially I had hoped to just enjoy being in the air again in a light aircraft. With a possibility of a class 2 medical the aim to get a PPL then became my goal. Having recently achieved flying solo with Aerobility and progressing with my written exams, I hope to complete my PPL in March. Through the charity I have met lots of pilots who have introduced me to potential future opportunities. I am excited at the prospect of continuing flying training post PPL with night and instrument ratings and an aerobatics qualification. My dream is to fly vintage aircraft, especially old military warbirds and undertake some aviation adventures. Eventually I would like to be a flying instructor.
My main fear was being unable to gain a medical certificate allowing me to fly solo due to my health condition. With that overcome for now, my aim is to maintain my wellbeing and keep my mental health stable so that I can continue to fly.
Meet Trish…
Since joining Aerobility in 2005 Trish has been an enthusiastic volunteer and has been able to take to the sky once or twice a year. Trish is 62 years old and lives with Arthritis, Crohn's, Colitis, IBS and COPD. These conditions have had a huge impact on both Trish’s mobility and state of mind.
My first ever flight was in the RAF with a glider at Bicester in 1987, then I got hooked on flying. Unfortunately I had a Major Back operation, I could not continue my dream because the parachute restricted my movements as it caused too much strain on my back, So it put the Kibosh on that. My inspiration was through gliding. My first ever flight on a fixed wing was in 2005 at Goodwood after receiving a flying scholarship from FSD (Now called FSDP). At the same time I was introduced to BDFA which is now called Aerobility. I took the opportunity to fly and volunteer with Aerobility once or twice every year until now. My philosophy in life is no problems only solutions.
I love being a member of Aerobility both flying and volunteering. It's great to be involved with like minded people, which I class as my extended family. Being involved was something to look forward to every year, giving me an incentive and motivation to succeed with my favourite hobby. Instead of just existing, it made me feel alive. Now I get to spend even more time in the air and follow my dream to fly solo.
I have no fears about flying, if anything it gives me great pleasure, confidence, well being, freedom and self worth. It takes me to another dimension of reality that I am worthy and capable of achieving something positive in my life.
I can’t wait to go solo and be able to go on tour with Aerobility without having to take up the valuable time of an instructor. Doing that would give them more time to attend to other students who want to learn how to fly. It will be a great opportunity to have continuity with flying and maybe even gain my Private Pilot Licence.