Accessible Flying Lesson
Experience Information
Experience the Incredible Freedom of Flying with Ablenet!
Yes, you heard it right – you CAN FLY with Ablenet! Ablenet welcomes individuals and groups with diverse needs and requirements, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to soar through the sky. If you or someone you know faces challenges in participating in able-bodied activities but still yearns for adventure and a chance to push their limits, look no further than Indoor Skydiving through Ablenet.
Prepare to be inspired as you witness the awe-inspiring journeys of intrepid iflyers overcoming obstacles such as cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, previous stroke, paraplegia, or mental health impairments. Through our remarkable program, aptly named ‘Life Without Limits,’ we empower individuals to embrace the thrill of indoor skydiving and discover the true meaning of freedom.
Join Ablenet and defy the limitations that may hold you back. Discover the sheer joy and exhilaration of defying gravity as you embark on a remarkable adventure that knows no bounds. Let them show you that the sky is not the limit – it’s just the beginning.
Prepare to defy limitations and soar through the skies with Ablenet’s incredible flying lessons. Don’t let disability or visual impairment hinder your dreams any longer.
Experience the ultimate freedom with our partner charity, Aerobility, who specialize in making flying accessible to everyone. Their exceptional team of instructors understands the unique challenges disabilities can bring, and in most cases, you’ll have the thrilling opportunity to take control of the aircraft yourself. Nothing compares to the exhilaration of piloting an airplane. Prices start from £169.00, ensuring this remarkable experience is within reach.
Rest assured, Aerobility has obtained Civil Aviation Authority approval for flight training. With their ingenious processes and hoisting facilities, accessing the plane is effortless, regardless of your disability.
When you book through Ablenet, we go the extra mile. Your carer, friend, or family member can join you at no additional cost, providing the necessary assistance. Please note, this is subject to weight restrictions and the pilot’s discretion.
Unleash the power of flight and embrace the skies with Ablenet. Together, we’ll turn your soaring aspirations into a breathtaking reality.
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Prepare to defy limitations and soar through the skies with Ablenet’s incredible flying lessons. Don’t let disability or visual impairment hinder your dreams any longer.
Experience the ultimate freedom with our partner charity, Aerobility, who specialize in making flying accessible to everyone. Their exceptional team of instructors understands the unique challenges disabilities can bring, and in most cases, you’ll have the thrilling opportunity to take control of the aircraft yourself. Nothing compares to the exhilaration of piloting an airplane. Prices start from £169.00, ensuring this remarkable experience is within reach.
Rest assured, Aerobility has obtained Civil Aviation Authority approval for flight training. With their ingenious processes and hoisting facilities, accessing the plane is effortless, regardless of your disability.
When you book through Ablenet, we go the extra mile. Your carer, friend, or family member can join you at no additional cost, providing the necessary assistance. Please note, this is subject to weight restrictions and the pilot’s discretion.
Unleash the power of flight and embrace the skies with Ablenet. Together, we’ll turn your soaring aspirations into a breathtaking reality.
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Discover the joy of flying without limitations through Ablenet’s partnership with Aerobility. Don’t let disability or visual impairment hold you back from your dream of taking to the skies.
Experience true freedom as you take the controls of an airplane with Aerobility’s expert instructors, who understand the challenges disabilities can present. Prices start from £169.00, making this incredible opportunity accessible to all.
Rest assured, Aerobility has obtained Civil Aviation Authority approval for flight training, ensuring safety and compliance. Their unique processes and hoisting facilities make accessing the plane effortless for everyone.
When you book with Ablenet, we provide extra support. Your carer, friend, or family member can join you free-of-charge, subject to weight restrictions and pilot discretion.
Embrace the thrill of flight and make your dreams a reality
[WD_Button id=10220]
Discover the joy of flying without limitations through Ablenet’s partnership with Aerobility. Don’t let disability or visual impairment hold you back from your dream of taking to the skies.
Experience true freedom as you take the controls of an airplane with Aerobility’s expert instructors, who understand the challenges disabilities can present. Prices start from £169.00, making this incredible opportunity accessible to all.
Rest assured, Aerobility has obtained Civil Aviation Authority approval for flight training, ensuring safety and compliance. Their unique processes and hoisting facilities make accessing the plane effortless for everyone.
When you book with Ablenet, we provide extra support. Your carer, friend, or family member can join you free-of-charge, subject to weight restrictions and pilot discretion.
Embrace the thrill of flight and make your dreams a reality
[WD_Button id=10222]
Our partner has worked extremely hard to make sure that everybody can fly, whatever their impairment.
With aircraft adaptations, hoisting techniques and other solutions available to make sure flying is fully accessible. Not everyone can go on to hold a licence, but everyone can fly as long as they can move something!
The aim is to be as inclusive as possible, providing for the whole spectrum of disability and impairment, including: mental and physical disabilities, mobility issues, learning difficulties and sensory problems, mental health issues, through to neurological disorders and amputation – and all points in between. Aerobility will probably have come across your impairment before and will have a strategy to enable you to fly.
You will find an ‘access requirements’ on the form completed after booking – use this to let us know the degree to which your mobility is restricted: a hoist may be the most suitable way for you to access the aircraft, but If you don’t tell us, we may not have a suitable aircraft available on the day.
THE LESSON
Wear appropriate clothing – casual wear and trousers are generally best.
- Bring warm clothing as airfields can be exposed
- Your Instructor is the pilot-in-command (PiC) and customers must obey all their instructions
- Do not touch, or let anyone accompanying you touch any aircraft unless authorised by the PiC
- Keep clear of the propellers as it is possible to start an engine by accidentally leaning against or pushing a propeller
- Smoking is not permitted at any time
- Enter and leave the aircraft only when instructed to do so by the PiC who will make sure it is safe and will guide you where to put your hands and feet
- In flight, do not touch any aircraft controls or switches until advised to do so. Control of the aircraft will be passed to the student under the guidance of the Instructor
- Post flight, your Instructor will advise you the best way to continue your training.
Clearly it is beyond the scope of these pages to answer every question relating to medical conditions and gaining a PPL or NPPL.
Some symptoms are common across a range of conditions – continence issues and fatigue, for example. The effective management of these, and side effects of any medication used for symptomatic relief, can be a key factor in the enjoyment of a trial lesson. Some of the more common aviator disabilities, and their implications for flight, are briefly detailed here…
Paraplegia
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is excellent in most cases, although the licence will have certain restrictions applied: for instance, the licence will include details of required adaptations, and in some cases may restrict to a particular aircraft type.
Many paraplegic pilots will achieve full independence, and should not require assistance at all. Commercial licensing is also a possibility.
Most suitable aircraft types:
Piper PA28 series fitted with a hand control. Easy to get into using the ‘bum shuffle’ technique up the wing.
Cessna 172: possible to fly P1 with a Union hand control. However, this aircraft is difficult to enter from a wheelchair and would require others to check the fuel levels on top of the wings.
Others will be suitable for modification, especially those without toe brakes. Individual modifications tend to be fairly expensive.
Many microlights would seem to be very readily adapted and costs would tend to be lower.
Many microlights would seem to be very readily adapted and costs would tend to be lower.
Many gliders have hand controlled rudders, and some gliding clubs are used to disabled pilots.
Cerebral Palsy
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is good in many cases.
Depending on severity, use of handbrake instead of toe brakes may be necessary. Rudder hand control adaptation may be used.
Speech impediments are no barrier.
General advice:
Can often operate rudders normally but toe brakes are difficult.
Therefore more use of handbrake may be required.
Amputees
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is usually excellent, in many cases without restriction.
Some amputees may have difficulty in operating toe brakes. If this is the only type of braking system to the aircraft, then below knee amputees can operate these types of braking systems after some time spent practising taxying. Otherwise there should be no particular difficulty.
Arm or hand amputation implications vary with the degree of disability, and the sophistication of prostheses.
Non-specific back pain
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is good.
The main problem as far as the CAA is concerned is the strength of medication used to manage the pain.
Most suitable aircraft types:
The main problem is getting in and out of the aeroplane: Piper PA28s are easier than the Cessna, but fuel checking is hard because of bending down under the wings.
Polio
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is usually excellent, in many cases without restriction.
Some amputees may have difficulty in operating toe brakes. If this is the only type of braking system to the aircraft, then below knee amputees can operate these types of braking systems after some time spent practising taxying. Otherwise there should be no particular difficulty.
Arm or hand amputation implications vary with the degree of disability, and the sophistication of prostheses.
Spina Bifida
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is good, though much will depend on the severity of the disability. Restrictions may be applied. Conditions will include details of required adaptations and, in some cases, may restrict to a particular aircraft type.
General advice:
Because of the potential for urinary tract infections, kidney stones can form and this will require regular x-rays to ensure there are no stones present.
Multiple Sclerosis
As with many other conditions, MS brings widely varying degrees of disability and rates of progression, so there can be no ‘blanket’ answers. Sometimes medications taken can be an issue that prevents a valid medical. However, many people with multiple sclerosis are able to fly, and hold a PPL.
Muscular Dystrophy
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence in people with mild muscular dystrophy is good. However, they may expect to be tested periodically to verify sufficient muscle strength to fly the aircraft safely.
Many people fly with muscular dystrophy, however in cases of extreme muscle weakness, where breathing support is needed or the head needs constant support, then some creative thinking is required for each flight. However, it can still be done.
Hoisting is often necessary for those with the inability to self transfer. This is no problem using Aerobility technology, however it is not possible to actually hold a licence if you need the hoist. You can still learn to fly though.
Learning difficulties
Aerobility regularly flies with people with all sorts of learning difficulties, indeed it is often where we find the most natural pilots and quick learners. Whilst many people with learning difficulties may be unable to hold a pilots licence, it is conceivable that someone with a mild condition might be able to hold an NPPL on passing the relevant written and flight tests.
Some care is advised for flying people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, and care must be taken to ensure that they understand the concept of removing their hands and feet from the controls, and that they obey the instructor. It may be worth flying new individuals for the first time in a back seat.
Deafness
There are varying degrees of deafness ranging from mild hearing loss to total deafness. Some deaf people cannot speak. Each deaf person has his or her own preferred method of communication. These include sign language, lip reading and written English. Communication techniques need to be agreed with your instructor, but there should be no barrier. You can hold a PPL without using the radio and effectively fly without radio communications.
Most suitable aircraft types:
Side by side seating for ease of communication. Electronic light systems and text communications have been used successfully in tandem seated aircraft and gliders. Other communication strategies include use of mirrors and signal sticks.
Sight loss
There are many types of sight loss with varying degrees of severity, and the chances of holding a licence vary accordingly. Conditions such as monocular vision are not necessarily a barrier. Testing and flight testing really determine capability.
Even people with complete sight loss gain much from flying, and with some verbal instruction are able to sense the aircraft altitude, and use engine and airflow noise to gauge speed.
MANDATORY SAFETY RULES – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Your Pilot Instructor will be a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – approved flying instructor. As well as looking after your safety, all our Instructors are keen that you should enjoy your lesson. Please note that this is not a passenger flight and will be an instructional flight.
SIZES AND WEIGHTS
The weight limit for our Piper PA28 training aircraft is 17 stones (250lbs or 115kg).
Following a discussion with the Instructor, it may be possible (at Blackbushe only) for customers over this weight to use a different training aircraft.
Customers over 6ft 4ins (193 cm) or under 5ft (152cm), or those with particular physical disabilities will notify us via the schedule form to ensure that suitable arrangements can be in place.
ALCOHOL DRUGS AND PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
It is an offence for pilots and students to fly whilst above the limit for alcohol. The legal limit for flight instruction in a light aircraft is a quarter of the drink / drive limit (i.e. not exceeding 20mg per 100ml of blood). Therefore, students should not have consumed
any alcohol in the 8hours pre- flight
more than 5 units of alcohol in the 12 hours pre-flight
a substantial amount of alcohol during the 24 hours pre-flight
It is also an offence to fly under the influence of drugs, or with impaired faculties caused by taking prescribed medication.
Our partner has worked extremely hard to make sure that everybody can fly, whatever their impairment.
With aircraft adaptations, hoisting techniques and other solutions available to make sure flying is fully accessible. Not everyone can go on to hold a licence, but everyone can fly as long as they can move something!
The aim is to be as inclusive as possible, providing for the whole spectrum of disability and impairment, including: mental and physical disabilities, mobility issues, learning difficulties and sensory problems, mental health issues, through to neurological disorders and amputation – and all points in between. Aerobility will probably have come across your impairment before and will have a strategy to enable you to fly.
You will find an ‘access requirements’ on the form completed after booking – use this to let us know the degree to which your mobility is restricted: a hoist may be the most suitable way for you to access the aircraft, but If you don’t tell us, we may not have a suitable aircraft available on the day.
THE LESSON
Wear appropriate clothing – casual wear and trousers are generally best.
- Bring warm clothing as airfields can be exposed
- Your Instructor is the pilot-in-command (PiC) and customers must obey all their instructions
- Do not touch, or let anyone accompanying you touch any aircraft unless authorised by the PiC
- Keep clear of the propellers as it is possible to start an engine by accidentally leaning against or pushing a propeller
- Smoking is not permitted at any time
- Enter and leave the aircraft only when instructed to do so by the PiC who will make sure it is safe and will guide you where to put your hands and feet
- In flight, do not touch any aircraft controls or switches until advised to do so. Control of the aircraft will be passed to the student under the guidance of the Instructor
- Post flight, your Instructor will advise you the best way to continue your training.
Clearly it is beyond the scope of these pages to answer every question relating to medical conditions and gaining a PPL or NPPL.
Some symptoms are common across a range of conditions – continence issues and fatigue, for example. The effective management of these, and side effects of any medication used for symptomatic relief, can be a key factor in the enjoyment of a trial lesson. Some of the more common aviator disabilities, and their implications for flight, are briefly detailed here…
Paraplegia
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is excellent in most cases, although the licence will have certain restrictions applied: for instance, the licence will include details of required adaptations, and in some cases may restrict to a particular aircraft type.
Many paraplegic pilots will achieve full independence, and should not require assistance at all. Commercial licensing is also a possibility.
Most suitable aircraft types:
Piper PA28 series fitted with a hand control. Easy to get into using the ‘bum shuffle’ technique up the wing.
Cessna 172: possible to fly P1 with a Union hand control. However, this aircraft is difficult to enter from a wheelchair and would require others to check the fuel levels on top of the wings.
Others will be suitable for modification, especially those without toe brakes. Individual modifications tend to be fairly expensive.
Many microlights would seem to be very readily adapted and costs would tend to be lower.
Many microlights would seem to be very readily adapted and costs would tend to be lower.
Many gliders have hand controlled rudders, and some gliding clubs are used to disabled pilots.
Cerebral Palsy
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is good in many cases.
Depending on severity, use of handbrake instead of toe brakes may be necessary. Rudder hand control adaptation may be used.
Speech impediments are no barrier.
General advice:
Can often operate rudders normally but toe brakes are difficult.
Therefore more use of handbrake may be required.
Amputees
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is usually excellent, in many cases without restriction.
Some amputees may have difficulty in operating toe brakes. If this is the only type of braking system to the aircraft, then below knee amputees can operate these types of braking systems after some time spent practising taxying. Otherwise there should be no particular difficulty.
Arm or hand amputation implications vary with the degree of disability, and the sophistication of prostheses.
Non-specific back pain
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is good.
The main problem as far as the CAA is concerned is the strength of medication used to manage the pain.
Most suitable aircraft types:
The main problem is getting in and out of the aeroplane: Piper PA28s are easier than the Cessna, but fuel checking is hard because of bending down under the wings.
Polio
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is usually excellent, in many cases without restriction.
Some amputees may have difficulty in operating toe brakes. If this is the only type of braking system to the aircraft, then below knee amputees can operate these types of braking systems after some time spent practising taxying. Otherwise there should be no particular difficulty.
Arm or hand amputation implications vary with the degree of disability, and the sophistication of prostheses.
Spina Bifida
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence is good, though much will depend on the severity of the disability. Restrictions may be applied. Conditions will include details of required adaptations and, in some cases, may restrict to a particular aircraft type.
General advice:
Because of the potential for urinary tract infections, kidney stones can form and this will require regular x-rays to ensure there are no stones present.
Multiple Sclerosis
As with many other conditions, MS brings widely varying degrees of disability and rates of progression, so there can be no ‘blanket’ answers. Sometimes medications taken can be an issue that prevents a valid medical. However, many people with multiple sclerosis are able to fly, and hold a PPL.
Muscular Dystrophy
Licensing implications: the possibility of achieving a Private Pilots Licence in people with mild muscular dystrophy is good. However, they may expect to be tested periodically to verify sufficient muscle strength to fly the aircraft safely.
Many people fly with muscular dystrophy, however in cases of extreme muscle weakness, where breathing support is needed or the head needs constant support, then some creative thinking is required for each flight. However, it can still be done.
Hoisting is often necessary for those with the inability to self transfer. This is no problem using Aerobility technology, however it is not possible to actually hold a licence if you need the hoist. You can still learn to fly though.
Learning difficulties
Aerobility regularly flies with people with all sorts of learning difficulties, indeed it is often where we find the most natural pilots and quick learners. Whilst many people with learning difficulties may be unable to hold a pilots licence, it is conceivable that someone with a mild condition might be able to hold an NPPL on passing the relevant written and flight tests.
Some care is advised for flying people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, and care must be taken to ensure that they understand the concept of removing their hands and feet from the controls, and that they obey the instructor. It may be worth flying new individuals for the first time in a back seat.
Deafness
There are varying degrees of deafness ranging from mild hearing loss to total deafness. Some deaf people cannot speak. Each deaf person has his or her own preferred method of communication. These include sign language, lip reading and written English. Communication techniques need to be agreed with your instructor, but there should be no barrier. You can hold a PPL without using the radio and effectively fly without radio communications.
Most suitable aircraft types:
Side by side seating for ease of communication. Electronic light systems and text communications have been used successfully in tandem seated aircraft and gliders. Other communication strategies include use of mirrors and signal sticks.
Sight loss
There are many types of sight loss with varying degrees of severity, and the chances of holding a licence vary accordingly. Conditions such as monocular vision are not necessarily a barrier. Testing and flight testing really determine capability.
Even people with complete sight loss gain much from flying, and with some verbal instruction are able to sense the aircraft altitude, and use engine and airflow noise to gauge speed.
MANDATORY SAFETY RULES – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Your Pilot Instructor will be a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – approved flying instructor. As well as looking after your safety, all our Instructors are keen that you should enjoy your lesson. Please note that this is not a passenger flight and will be an instructional flight.
SIZES AND WEIGHTS
The weight limit for our Piper PA28 training aircraft is 17 stones (250lbs or 115kg).
Following a discussion with the Instructor, it may be possible (at Blackbushe only) for customers over this weight to use a different training aircraft.
Customers over 6ft 4ins (193 cm) or under 5ft (152cm), or those with particular physical disabilities will notify us via the schedule form to ensure that suitable arrangements can be in place.
ALCOHOL DRUGS AND PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
It is an offence for pilots and students to fly whilst above the limit for alcohol. The legal limit for flight instruction in a light aircraft is a quarter of the drink / drive limit (i.e. not exceeding 20mg per 100ml of blood). Therefore, students should not have consumed
any alcohol in the 8hours pre- flight
more than 5 units of alcohol in the 12 hours pre-flight
a substantial amount of alcohol during the 24 hours pre-flight
It is also an offence to fly under the influence of drugs, or with impaired faculties caused by taking prescribed medication.