Aerobility debuts ‘Project Able’ at Private Flyer Show to open sales dialogue with the GA community

Thursday 5th August 2021

Aerobility, the UK’s leading aviation charity offering disabled people, without exception, the opportunity to fly, is celebrating the arrival of its new aircraft type, the Grob G109B Able. Its first public appearance, at the Private Flyer GA show, this Friday 6^th August at Leeds East Airport provides a relevant showcase for prospective buyers to view this newly available aircraft type. Aerobility will be both operating the aircraft within its fleet, as well as marketing and selling this enhanced model commercially, in collaboration with Grob Aircraft SE and Southern Sailplanes in the UK.

With a complete airframe overhaul, state-of-the-art Garmin avionics, new Rotax engine and MT Propeller, the ‘Able’s’ performance and handling is hugely enhanced, whilst the fuel consumption is significantly reduced. “This updated and re-certified variant of the tried, tested and much loved Grob G109B and its military derivative The Vigilant makes for an exciting and environmentally friendly way to take to the skies,” says Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith.

Guy Westgate, veteran motor-glider pilot, who gave his time to fly the ‘Able’ from Germany to Leeds describes it as “A fantastic upgrade to a popular, soundly built aircraft.”

Supporting the aircraft’s debut at the show, Mike adds: “Aerobility exists to change lives through the magic of flight. We are very proud to present this new aircraft type which will deliver magic to its owners whilst the proceeds will support disabled aviation. We only have a fixed amount of these aircraft to sell and we hope interest will be high.”

The aircraft flew from Aerobility’s HQ at Blackbushe Airport, Surrey on 4^th August before positioning on the static display, following its arrival from Grob Aircraft SE in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany on 3^rd August.

For more information on the aircraft including specifications, please contact Project Manager, Liz McConaghy: liz@aerobility.com

The Grob G109B Able flew from Aerobility’s HQ at Blackbushe Airport, Surrey on 4^th August before positioning on the static display, following its arrival from Grob Aircraft SE in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany on 3^rd August.

About Project Able

Project Able is a unique, award-winning and UK Government-backed programme, centred on upgrading 60 former military training aircraft and repurposing them for societal use, including disabled flying.

Project Able was formally launched last year. Seeing an opportunity for a unique fleet type to teach more disabled people in the UK to fly, beyond the 1,000 students and veterans already engaged, Aerobility’s CEO Mike Miller-Smith proposed Aerobility could take on these aircraft, modify them working alongside aerospace partners; take eight itself and adapt them for disabled flyers. The remaining 52 it would put up for sale via the commercial market, including potentially working with an aircraft lessor on financing. The first private buyer was confirmed just a few weeks ago.

Mike Miller-Smith duly garnered support from a wealth of supporters, led by airframer Grob Aircraft SE. Each of the overhauled and adapted airframes will help around 2,600 disabled people take to the skies yearly with Aerobility, says Mike, compared with the current 1,000 who receive training.

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, a private pilot himself, backed the initiative, highlighting the life changing opportunities and unrivalled confidence boost Aerobility offers disabled pilots.

“Aerobility’s ambition is to inspire a new generation of Grob pilots and encourage pilot training schools, gliding clubs, aviation enthusiasts and others to seriously consider purchasing a Grob G109B ‘Able’ aircraft.” Adds Mike.

Project Able is supported by a stellar team of advisors and sponsors including Hayward Aviation, NATS, Grob Aircraft SE, Southern Sailplanes, the UK Civil Aviation Authority Garmin, CFS Aero, Brinkley Aerospace, Kanardia, Airborne Composites and Saywell International. Marketing and PR partners are Leading Edge and The Emerald Network, respectively.

www.projectable.aero

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.

www.aerobility.com