Aerobility appoints Steve Todd as Marketing and Sales Advisor for Project Able programme

Monday 12th December 2022

Aerobility, the UK’s leading aviation charity offering disabled people, without exception, the opportunity to fly , has boosted its award-winning Project Able programme with the appointment of aviation marketing expert, Steve Todd. Steve will lead marketing and sales for Project Able, the charity’s ambitious programme to return former RAF Air Cadet Grob Vigilant motorgliders to the air. They are being marketed for sale to customers around the globe as the Grob G109B Able. Up to eight will enter service within the Aerobility fleet.

In his new role, Steve will be responsible for developing a robust marketing plan and channelling sales from the many enquiries being received worldwide. Steve brings 40 years of highly relevant business marketing and commercial project management to the role which will add vital resource and expertise to the programme. As a lifelong general aviation pilot and current Chairman of the British Aerobatic Association, Steve brings useful additional synergy too.

Steve Todd, said: “I am delighted to be joining the fabulous team at Aerobility and lead the sales and marketing activity for Project Able. I am truly excited about the programme and the challenge ahead, and hope to leverage my skills and experience to make a real difference. My involvement with British Aerobatics will, I hope, bring further contacts and support to the sales and marketing activities.”

Mike Miller-Smith, CEO Aerobility adds: “I am very pleased to welcome Steve with his combined skillset in marketing, sales and aviation. I anticipate that his appointment will boost the success of the programme coupled with the fact that the Grob G109B Able is such an impressive and versatile motorglider which is also sustainable and cost-effective. I wish him every success.”

The Grob G109B Able has been re-engined with the Rotax 912iSc Sport, delivering more power and industry-leading fuel economy. The aircraft are fully refurbished and can be finished to customer specification with modern Garmin avionics, interior trim and paint scheme.

Project Able is a collaboration between Aerobility, Grob Aircraft SE and Southern Sailplanes, with a flexible approach to the best use of the airframes made available by the Royal Air Force and the MOD. The project is supported by a number of other partners, including the Department for Transport, NATS, CAA, Rotax and Garmin.

For details of the project please visit www.g109able.org or contact Steve by email at stevetodd@aerobility.com .

Steve Todd with the Grob G109B Able

About Project Able

Project Able is the unique, award-winning and UK Government-backed programme, formally launched in January 2020. 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 a number itself and adapt them for disabled flyers. The remaining aircraft it would put up for sale via the commercial market, including potentially working with an aircraft lessor on financing.

Mike Miller-Smith duly garnered support from a wealth of supporters, led by OEM Grob Aircraft SE. 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.

Former UK 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, military operators working with young people, 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. PR partner is The Emerald Network.

www.g109able.org

About Aerobility 

Aerobility is a leading disabled flying charity based at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, UK.   Aerobility changes lives by providing anyone, with any disability with access to the magic and wonder of flight. It does this because taking the controls of an aircraft drives a focus on capability and encourages its flyers to ask the question ‘If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?’ This makes everything else in life feel that little bit more achievable, whilst offering the ultimate feeling of freedom and escape from restrictions of disability.

Aerobility takes to the skies with up to 1,000 individuals a year and supports the recovery of our Armed Forces Veterans with 30% of flyers being wounded, injured or sick former military personnel.

Flying with Aerobility can deliver increased life ambition, leading to improved life opportunity, driving many of our beneficiaries toward more independent and personally fulfilling lives. Aerobility represents the needs of those living with disability into aviation and is recognised as the leading expert in disabled flying.

www.aerobility.com