The aviation industry comes together once-again in support of disabled flying

Aerobility, the disabled flying charity, joins forces with London Biggin Hill Airport, to take the Armchair Airshow to new heights – live from the cockpit!

The 2021 edition of this airshow calendar-event, is set for Saturday 29^th May. With the airport as its backdrop, the Armchair Airshow will once-more reimagine the airshow experience, live streamed to your living room, bringing the thrill of live aviation direct to your home, wherever you are.

Names familiar to the show such as legendary George ‘Smokey’ Bacon and Mike Ling will be joined by our roving reporter, pilot and TV presenter Arthur Williams, along with aviators and display teams from all over the world.

Neil Tucker, Aerobility flyer, highlights the importance of the work the airshow supports: “There was a chance that I was never going to walk again… Then Aerobility took me from a very, very dark corner that I was in, and when I was well enough, fit enough and frankly safe enough to come to Aerobility, I took a test flight… All of a sudden, I was 18 years old again, the years melted off, the injuries didn’t even exist, the pain doesn’t exist, it’s just magic, just absolute magic…Aerobility has got a wonderful way of changing people’s lives for the better.”

Mike Miller-Smith, CEO at Aerobility, said “Thanks to support from London Biggin Hill Airport, we will be able to deliver more of this support, to more people. The airport understands us and they get what we do. Access to aviation, provides a magical experience, a focus on capabilities and a relief from the restrictions of disability, that can change lives.”

Colin Hitchins, Head of CSR and Sustainability at the airport said “After seeing the Armchair Airshow last year and the great work it makes possible at Aerobilty, we knew we had to be involved. Not only did the 2020 show bring us flights in the Space Shuttle and exclusive display footage from the Red Arrows but it raised significant funds in support of disabled flying. The benchmark is definitely high, but we can’t wait to support Aerobility with achieving even more this year.”

For now, watch this space and get Saturday 29^th May in your diary. You can register for updates by visiting www.armchairairshow.com. To get involved and support the event please contact marcus@aerobility.com.

Captions:

Aeroblility’s facilities provide access to aviation to anyone with a disability

(Left to right) Aviators George ‘Smokey’ Bacon, Jon Wendover and Mike Ling will participate in the Armchair Airshow

Aerobility Chief Flying Instructor, Mike Owen (left) with pilot and tv presenter Arthur Williams

Contacts:

Marcus O’Shea, Head of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications at Aerobility

marcus@Aerobility.com

www.aerobility.com

Issued by Emerald Media – PR for Aerobility
liz.danner@emeraldmedia.co.uk

About Aerobility

Aerobility is a leading disabled flying charity based at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, UK. It represents the needs of disabled people whatever their aviation needs and aspirations and it offers anyone, with any disability, the opportunity to learn to fly and to participate in aviation-based activities. It does this to drive focus on capabilities and encourage the individual to ask themselves ‘If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?’. This has the potential to improve the quality of life and life opportunity for disabled people including the wounded, injured and sick members of our Armed Forces Community.

About London Biggin Hill Airport

London Biggin Hill is the only dedicated business aviation airport within the capital and is already home to more than 70 resident aviation businesses.

Located just 12 miles from central London, is designated UK Port of Entry, offers award-winning VIP handling, a choice of FBOs, extensive hangarage, support and aircraft maintenance services.

An exclusive six-minute helicopter transfer service to and from the heart of the capital makes it the fastest transfer of any London airport.

There are very few places in the world other than London Biggin Hill where aircraft operators and support companies can conduct all aspects of their business operations, management and maintenance at the heart of a global city and with the confidence in their ability to expand and develop over time.

he aviation industry comes together once-again in support of disabled flying

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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