Disabled Londoner Learns to Fly At Home Through Aerobility

 Yvonne, a 56-year-old disabled woman from London, has found a new lease on life after learning to fly from home using Aerobility's Virtual Aviation Experience (VAE). Living with disabilities that significantly affect her mobility, speech, and emotional well-being, Yvonne's journey began after suffering a stroke in 2021, which left her with severe impairments.

Aerobility, a UK charity dedicated to changing lives by offering access to the magic of flight to anyone with any disability, has provided Yvonne with a transformative experience through its free VAE course. Funded by the UK Government and powered by GeoFS, an accessible web-based flight simulator, the VAE course opens up the world of aviation to individuals who may have previously thought it unattainable.

Yvonne shared her experience, stating, "I found the VAE course to be a transformative experience that has enriched my life." She emphasized how the encouragement from her instructor boosted her self-esteem and confidence, helping her cope with the challenges resulting from her stroke.

Mike Miller-Smith, CEO of Aerobility, highlighted the importance of the Virtual Aviation Experience, noting, "The programme helps us support those disabled people who are unable to make it to our centers at Blackbushe Airport and Tatenhill Airfield." He added that the VAE is designed for beginners and provides a realistic introduction to piloting one of Aerobility's aircraft.

The courses are led by Aerobility pilots, volunteers, and flight instructors and are free of charge for eligible applicants. They cater to adults and children aged 12 and above living in the UK with a disability. Technical support and equipment loans are available for the duration of the course.

Interested individuals can apply to the free VAE course at Aerobility's website. Yvonne hopes her story will inspire others with disabilities to explore the possibilities that the VAE course offers.

FMI: aerobility.com