Walsall resident Kevin Arblaster, 54, who has cerebral palsy, grew up under the flight path of Birmingham Airport and had always dreamt of becoming a pilot. Being determined to not let disability define his life, he took up flying in 1998 and with the help of the Aerobility, flew his first solo in 2010, qualifying as a pilot in 2018.

On 5th February 2025, to mark the completion of his first pilot logbook, Kevin flew to Birmingham Airport - the place where his dreams had started - in the four-seater Piper PA-28 light aircraft, a fitting celebration for such a monumental achievement.

Kevin' first logbook, now full! — Kevin' first logbook, now full

Here’s his story, in his own words:

December 2024, at home I’m going through my logbook, a couple more flights until I am on the last page. Thoughts come flooding back on my first flight in a light aircraft some 27 years ago. Back then the idea of being a qualified pilot seemed an impossibility. But here I am in 2025 not only as a commander, but a commander with four hundred hours behind him. I started to wonder about a way to celebrate filling the last page of the logbook. At that moment an EasyJet A320 flew over my home on finals for Birmingham International. The idea was planted, and that was to command into Birmingham International.

I’ve been in the same house for fifty-four years and been on the start of the approach for Birmingham’s runway 15 and I’ve seen some unique sights.

It was the summer of 1978 that I first visited Elmdon Airport. The son of the next-door neighbour took a seven year old me and his girlfriend there in his white Ford Anglia. I have a real vivid memory of that day. First was seeing the newly installed British Airways poster which entirely covered one side of the terminal building.

Sounds of jet engines winding up filled the air. We arrived at the spectator’s area which was a fairy large green enclosure and was adjacent to the apron. Right in front of me was a Britania Airways 737, with a British Midland Viscount with the distinct whistling sound from its four Rolls Royce Dart engines, taxiing in from the runway. That was the day that started my interest in aviation.

Back to the present day and January 2025 and time to put my little adventure together. Aerobility were very supportive with my plan. Next to get a handling agent. XLR were helpful and did the booking and scheduling on my behalf.

Wednesday 5th February 05:30am, the day of my flight into Brum. Not a long flight - a mere thirty minutes from Tatenhill. It was cold but clear blue skies, the perfect winter’s day to commit aviation.

Joining me on the flight would be Martin, a good friend and Aerobility instructor. We had met a few days before to do our briefing for the sortie. Martin suggested that he did the radio on the outbound leg, as from his recent flights in and out of the airport he knew that at certain times communication can get rather busy.

On my drive up to Tatenhill as I always do, I run through in my head the flights for the day. Weather? That was good. NOTAM? All ok. Threat Error Management? That was the usual things weather could change, but probability was low. As I went through my mental list - engine failure, diversion etc. I remember things that Martin had said in our briefing. These include keeping our best speed and being prepared to be told to orbit.

Reaching Tatenhill and meeting up with Martin, we prepared for the adventure. I also met the third member of the team G-BMFP (or Foxy P to her friends). While Martin did the checks on the aircraft, I was in the Squadron Office checking the weather and updates on NOTAMs. I also checked on FlightRadar24 for the position of Emirates flight 39, the giant A380 was due to touch down at 11:22, 8 minutes before me. That put me more at ease having that aircraft in front of my flight.

Soon we were getting comfortable in Foxy P and taxiing to the runway at Tatenhill. Just after 11, we take to the skies and head south. It’s a short flight, then just before Tamworth we get our clearance to enter controlled air space to join downwind for runway 33. We were also instructed to orbit at the end of the downwind leg to give way to an A320.

After completing one orbit and starting the next, our clearance to land was given. Coming from right base I could see the airport at my 2 o’clock. Turning on to final, the airport was getting bigger as I descended. Quick look towards the terminal building, I couldn’t see the A380. As the runway 33 starts to fill the windscreen, I started to flare and then touchdown!

Before we were off the runway an Air Lingus was told to lineup and wait. Moments later the ATR was bounding down the runway behind us just a few minutes after my landing.

We were still on the taxiway awaiting instructions for parking and something caught my eye. Looking back towards the runway, the giant Emirates A380 was just about to touchdown. She was behind me all along.

We parked outside our agent’s building XLR. While there we were treated to having access to the VIP lounge with a mug of tea and chocolates.

An hour later we were back in the cockpit of our PA28 and taxiing back towards runway 33. We departed the zone via Tamworth. As we signed off from Birmingham Radar, a familiar voice said, “Well done Kev on your achievements!”

Having completed his momentous flight into Birmingham Airport, Kevin is now focused on inspiring more people with disabilities to get involved in aviation.

Kevin Arblaster said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported me on this special flight, including Aerobility, XLR for outstanding ground support, and Birmingham Air Traffic for their hospitality marking such a memorable moment. If I can inspire at least one disabled person to pursue their dream as I have done, I would be very happy.”

Kev Arblaster: A Tale of Two Airports