UK disabled flying charity Aerobility has partnered with Lydd Aero Club in southeast Kent to provide opportunities for lessons and experience flights for people living with disabilities. The decision comes after the aviation charity is set to stage its ‘armchair airshow’ later this year.
Aerobility, which has its headquarters at Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire, and which also operates a satellite operation from Tatenhill in Staffordshire, is now working with the flight instructor team at Lydd
Aero Club to provide services in the southeast. Aerobility chief flying instructor Al Rosser said: “This exciting new partnership comes as the charity grows and enables us to spread the magic and wonder of flight to new areas of the country,” adding: “We are thrilled to be expanding the charity footprint, by helping more people with disabilities to try something new and realise their true potential.”
Lydd Aero Club chairman Bill Vidal said: “Aerobility is an inspiring charity that enables people with physical or hidden disabilities to fly an aircraft. We are delighted to be working with the charity to provide those opportunities through Lydd Aero Club. Disabled people that fly with us will get the same experience and support in specially adapted aircraft that they would get flying with the charity at Blackbushe or Tatenhill.”
A spokesperson for Lydd Airport said: “We are proud to support and work alongside such a rewarding charity as Aerobility which provides opportunities to the disabled community – fulfilling and supporting their dreams of taking to the skies.”
To facilitate the training, a Lydd Aero Club PA28 Warrior aircraft is being modified with rudder-byhand controls and branded with Aerobility livery. Pilots at Lydd Aero Club will be trained and qualified to fly as Aerobility instructors using the modified aircraft.
Bookings for flights at Lydd, Blackbushe or Tatenhill can be made by visiting the Aerobility website.
