We’re delighted to announce the winners of the Spirit of Aviation Challenge.

We’re delighted to announce the winners of the Spirit of Aviation Challenge!

Aerobility changes lives by providing access to aviation, and with Covid-19 grounding aeroplanes and shutting classrooms, we launched the Spirit of Aviation Challenge to keep in touch with our beneficiaries and to bring the aviation community together in support of disabled flying.

The Challenge encouraged the public to build, launch and fly an aeroplane created from objects found in their homes. Entrants then uploaded a photo or video of their aircraft to the Spirit of Aviation Facebook page.

The judging panel, consisted of iconic and inspirational aviators; Mike Miller-Smith, CEO of Aerobility and disabled aviator, Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless pilot, Harvey Matthewson, Aviation Activities Officer at Aerobility as well as a charity beneficiary and PPL holder, Squadron Leader Martin Pert, Team Leader, the Red Arrows.

The judging criteria were: Creativity, Artwork, Flying Ability and overall Fun Factor All the entrants from both the over 16s and under 16s were judged by the four judges whose, often entertaining, deliberations can be seen in full here https://www.aerobility.com/thespiritofaviation

Everyone worked so hard and captured the Spirit of Aviation, but the two outstanding winners were Nathan Doidge (Over 16s) and Jake Officer (Under 16s). Both will be invited to fly in an Aerobility aircraft with Martin Pert, Red 1. All runners up will be invited to spend the day at our HQ at Blackbushe Airport to meet with Martin too.

Says Mike Miller-Smith, Chief Executive, Aerobility:

“There were so many great entries from all over the world. It was great to see how this competition bought the aviation community together in these unusual times. Aside from being fun, the competition introduced many children to the world of aviation and the aerodynamics of how an aeroplane is able to fly.”