Aerobility and Me - Robin shares his inspiring story

I first came across Aerobility in an article on the Independent Living newsletter, in February 2024. I was very intrigued by the concept of the VAE (Virtual Aviation Experience), and was keen to apply. I had done some flying over 30 years ago, but a serious car accident and ensuing medical complications had put paid to my training. I am as a result physically disabled with severe damage to my hip and leg, and I get around on crutches and a mobility scooter. This seemed like a great opportunity to get back into flying, albeit with a computer in my own home!

I applied and was accepted for training, and my instructor was the lovely Laura Mayer, who is still an integral member of the Aerobility family. She was very patient and helpful as I took my first faltering steps back into aviation under her instruction on the simulator. After the three lessons you are granted, and unlimited access to the simulator to practice, I gradually improved my skills, although landing took a lot longer to come back than I thought it might. I was all over the place for a while, but like most things, with practice I got better. The lovely thing about VAE is that after the three very professional sessions from your flight instructor, you have access to the simulator and you can practice as little or as much as you wish.

I got better as I spent time on the simulator and I began to enjoy it more and more. Then, a couple of months ago I received an email from Aerobility, inviting applications for a subsidised 30 minute introductory flight experience, courtesy of Boeing UK. I applied, and was successful!

So, just last month I turned up at Blackbushe Airport for my flight, excited and a little nervous. I took my daughter with me, and she loved it. She's never been in a light aircraft before, and of course it's very different from flying long-haul on an airline!  My instructor was a guy called Jes, and he was very nice. Professional, friendly and kind. 

It was fascinating for me to make the transition from the simulator to sitting at the controls of a real aircraft for the first time in 30 years! The weather on the day was great, and the visibility was brilliant. Jes, in the pre-flight briefing had urged me to just enjoy the flight and the scenery and not worry too much about the technicalities and the instruments. Thing is though, I was fascinated by the new electronic avionics, which I'd never seen before, so, much as I tried to concentrate on the visual cues, my eye kept wandering back to the instruments.

Jes was very nice about bringing me back to the visual and encouraging me to just enjoy the moment and the weather and the experience, and I would for a while, but then I'd find myself drifting back to trying to comprehend this new alien instrumentation!

I really enjoyed the flight and I think it helped me realise that if I am ever able to get into flying again, it would be with the aim of achieving an instrument rating. I enjoy visual flight, but I really like the idea of mastering instrument flying. So, I shall carry on trying to hone my skills on the simulator in the meantime, hopeful that one day I might be back in the air for real.

I’m very grateful to the splendid folk at Aerobility, with their passion and enthusiam, for helping reignite my love of aviation, and urge you, if you’re disabled and have a desire to fly, to apply for Aerobility’s VAE instruction and begin your aviation journey. No matter where it takes you, you are unlikely to regret ‘slipping the surly bonds….’ I wish you safe flying. Good luck!

Written by Robin Clark