Aviator's Ball prize winner experiences Aerobility first hand
Think you know what it means to step outside your comfort zone?
On the 2nd of June, Erica Britton-Johnson and I had the extraordinary privilege of flying with Aerobility.
Under the expert care of Neil Tucker and Nigel Swinnerton, we flew in a Bulldog and a Yak 52 formation from Blackbushe to Lee-On-Solent — and back again.
What began as a bid for a charity lot at the Aviator’s Ball in 2022 for me to once again fly a Bulldog (last flown by me years ago on East Midlands UAS) turned into something far more profound: a lesson in teamwork, resilience, and pure inspiration (despite, much to my dismay, Neil’s Bulldog being a Birmingham UAS aircraft!).
I flew to Lee-On-Solent in the back of Nigel’s Yak, affectionately nicknamed “the flying tractor”, in formation with Erica flying in Neil’s Bulldog. It was my first Bulldog formation flight since my EMUAS days, and being back alongside one in RAF livery was nostalgic and exhilarating. While my formation flying might not rival the Red Arrows, it was respectable — and above all, fun. Like muscle memory, it all came rushing back. It was a gorgeous day for flying and we made the most of it, taking in the Solent and the Isle of Wight before landing for a quick lunch.
The Ops and ATC team at Solent Airport were incredibly welcoming, even giving us a tour of the tower before we flew back to Blackbushe for a well-earned cup of tea and a debrief (mainly of my formation or lack thereof!).
But this wasn’t just any old flight; this was Aerobility.
A few years ago, Neil, our formation lead, lost the use of both his left leg and left arm in a motorbike accident. Thanks to Aerobility, he found his way back into the cockpit and into a new chapter of life. Now he not only fly’s, but also instructs others with disabilities, helping them discover the same freedom and possibility.
Yes, you read that right, Neil led the formation flight without the use of his left limbs.
So if I thought being strapped into the back of a vintage Soviet tandem trainer with Russian gauges, wearing a parachute and lifejacket and listening to a noisy pneumatic braking system, or flying formation after several years off took me out of my comfort zone, it was nothing compared to what Neil — and so many others like him — conquer every single day.
It was humbling, inspiring, and truly unforgettable.
And the best part? Watching Neil fly, you’d never guess he was disabled. He handled the aircraft with absolute finesse, chatting away with enthusiasm, entirely at home in the sky — a perfect embodiment of Aerobility’s mission.
Huge thanks to Neil Tucker, Nigel Swinnerton, and everyone at @Solent Airport for your hospitality and generosity and for providing us with such an amazing experience.
Comfort zone? What comfort zone?
What a day. What an experience. What a charity.
Chris Kidd
