Flights over the Northern Lights are not as often as you think. A once in a lifetime opportunity came about when Aerobility announced that they will be chartering an easyJet Airbus A320 from London Gatwick to the north of British airspace to hopefully catch the Aurora Borealis. The best part of all is that this flight will be benefitting a great charity that enables everyone regardless of their disability the opportunity to fly. We will be recounting this spectacular flight and the hard work of everyone at Aerobility for making the dream of flight a possibility.
Visiting Aerobility Headquarters
Located about an hour from London is Aerobility’s headquarters. Aerobility started in 1993 as a UK based charity with the mission of providing anyone, with any disability the opportunity to take flight. Their base at Blackbushe Airport rivals that of aeronautical universities. There is a fully enclosed Cessna 172 simulator as well as a Tecnam P2002 Trainer and 4 other aircraft. More aircraft are expected to enter service within the year. Aerobility has specialized equipment to assist those with reduced mobility in and out of the aircraft. Many pilots have volunteered their time, teaching the aspirating aviators. Aerobility also hosts numerous events such as the Armchair Airshow and the Aviators Ball. Spectators can watch a live streaming airshow right from their living room. Acts include some of the biggest names in aviation including the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team, the US Air Force, the F22 Raptor and aircraft of yesterdays era including the Spitfire. A panel of renounced aviators provides a great overview of the performances taking place.
The 2023 Aurora Flight
The aurora flight created many smiles since its inception in 2014 with much success in seeing the Aurora Borealis and raising money for Aerobility. In the past, British Airways and easyJet switched between the years providing the aircraft and crew. This years flight easyJet kindly provided the aircraft and crew. The event kicked off at the Sofitel located adjacent to the London Gatwick south terminal. The first guest speaker was Nigel Meredith a researcher demonstrating the different sounds of the Aurora Borealis recorded on measuring equipment. He demonstrated to all the passengers in attendance how the sounds have even been converted into a musical soundtrack. Afterwards Dan Beeden from the British Antarctic Survey provided all a glimpse of what it is like to fly a turboprop a mere 50 feet over the Antarctic. Dinner was served for everyone flying aboard the Aurora Borealis at the Sofitel hotel before the flight.
Soon enough everyone excitedly made their way to the gate area. Fuel was added to the aircraft at no charge thanks to the donations of easyJet ground handling companies DHL and Q8 Aviation. Airbus A320neo registration G-UZHS will be doing the honors of this special flight over the Northern Lights. After reaching cruising altitude the cabin crew members began covering up anything that may produce light. This even included the seatbelt and no smoking signs! British astronomer Pete Lawrence from BBC Sky at Night narrated the remainder of the flight explaining to us what to expect in the next few minutes as well as calling out certain constellations. As the aircraft entered a holding pattern the northern lights came into view providing a spectacular view of the Aurora Borealis just above the horizon.
After a half hour hold it was soon time to return back to London Gatwick. To celebrate, the crew handed out some prosecco while musician Steve Young came up and down the isle playing songs on his guitar in the complete dark. From this flight alone over 25,000 British Pounds were donated to benefit aspiring aviators achieve their dream of flight through Aerobility. A special thank you to the 50+ staff and volunteers at Aerobility for organizing such an amazing event. Many thanks to easyJet, Gatwick airport, Air Traffic Control and many others behind the scenes making this possible at little to no cost.
To learn more about Aerobility, donate or volunteer visit the links below:
https://www.aerobility.com/introduction
https://www.aerobility.com/fundraise
https://www.aerobility.com/donate
https://www.aerobility.com/volunteer
https://www.aerobility.com/project-able-volunteer-information
