Aerobility

What Aerobility does

Aerobility is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1149629) that provides disabled people with access to aviation through adapted flight experiences, simulator sessions, and flight training leading to Private Pilot's Licences. It operates across four UK bases — Blackbushe Airport in Surrey (headquarters), Tatenhill Airfield in the Midlands, Lydd Airport in Kent, and Doncaster Sheffield Airport — with a fleet of modified light aircraft including PA-28s, a Tecnam, a Yak52, and the six-seat Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six (G-SIXE), all equipped with proprietary hand-control, hoist, and specialist accessibility adaptations. Programmes span introductory experiences, the Virtual Aviation Experience (VAE), the Junior Aviation Course (JAC), the BBC Children in Need-funded Aviation Education Programme (AEP), the Junior Aspiring Pilot Programme (JAPP), Aspire-Ability, Group Activity Days, accessible aerobatics, and the Able Electric electric-flying programme launched with 4AIR. A mobile flight simulator extends the service into schools, care homes, and community venues.

Revenue is generated primarily through donations, fundraising events (the Aviators Ball gala raised £110,000 in 2025), legacy gifts, and corporate partnerships via the Propeller Club — a tiered membership programme starting at £5,000 annually — alongside modest fee-for-service income (YAK flights at £100 for 20 minutes, VAE follow-ups at £15 each). Substantive operational funding comes from charitable trusts and corporate partners including BBC Children in Need, the Burry Charitable Trust, Help for Heroes, the Air League, Boeing, the ISTAT Foundation, the Household Cavalry Foundation, Rolls-Royce, NATS, 2Excel, and Bristow Group. Aerobility is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Neil Tucker (appointed 2026), with CEO Mike Miller-Smith MBE; the organisation received the King's Award for Voluntary Service in 2025/2026, recognising its volunteer-led delivery model.

Name

Aerobility

Legal name

Aerobility

Website

https://aerobility.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aerobility is a UK charity that enables disabled people to access aviation through adapted aircraft, simulators, and CAA-approved flight training, operating across four UK bases and serving disabled adults, youth, and partner organisations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Camberley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, and fundraising activities. The Cherokee Six 'Name on Plane' campaign offers £50 for individual name placements. Major annual fundraising through Aviators Ball gala event.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Propeller Club membership tiers starting at £5,000 annually for 2 Blade entry level, with 4 Blade top tier offering exclusive access and experiences. Corporate sponsors receive aircraft naming opportunities and brand visibility.
3. Legacy Gifts: Bequests and legacy gifts in wills, with free wills guide available for download.
4. Flight Experience Fees: Introductory YAK flights at £100 for 20 minutes. VAE follow-up sessions at £15 each. Some youth programs are fully funded at no cost to participants.
5. Event Revenue: Aviators Ball annual gala raising £110,000 in 2025. Corporate auction items including space-related lots selling for over £30,000.
6. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling Aerobility merchandise. Volunteer discount program for merchandise purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Aerobility is a UK charity that delivers accessible aviation experiences and flight training for people with disabilities using a fleet of specially adapted aircraft (PA-28, Tecnam, Cherokee Six, Yak52) with hand controls, hoists, and specialist equipment. It operates across four UK bases, supplemented by a mobile flight simulator, offering introductory flights, CAA-approved Private Pilot Licence training, youth education programmes, group activity days, scholarships, virtual aviation experiences, and accessible aerobatics.

Product overview

Aerobility is a UK charity operating across four UK bases (Blackbushe Airport, Tatenhill Airport, Lydd Airport, and Doncaster Sheffield Airport) that transforms lives by enabling people with disabilities to experience the magic and wonder of flight. The organisation offers a comprehensive portfolio of accessible aviation products and services including adapted flight experiences using aircraft such as PA-28s, Tecnam, and the six-seat Cherokee Six; CAA-approved flight training leading to Private Pilot's Licence; fixed and mobile flight simulators; and youth education programmes including the Aviation Education Programme (AEP), Junior Aviation Course (JAC), and Junior Aspiring Pilot Programme (JAPP). Additional offerings include Virtual Aviation Experience (VAE) for remote flight simulation, Accessible Aerobatics, electric flying experiences (Able Electric), Group Activity Days, and Scholarships. The organisation is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and provides experiences for flyers from introductory sessions through to fully licensed pilots.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Able Electric: Electric flying experiences offered by Aerobility
• Junior Aviation Course (JAC)
• Aviation Education Programme (AEP)
• Virtual Aviation Experience (VAE)
• Aspire-Ability
• The Propeller Club

Products and services

• Accessible Flight Experiences Introductory and experienced flight sessions for people with disabilities using adapted aircraft including PA-28, Tecnam, Cherokee Six, and Yak52, equipped with hand controls, hoists, and accessibility equipment. Includes YAK 20-minute flights priced at £100.
• Flight Training (PPL and beyond) CAA-approved flight instructor-led training programme taking disabled individuals from introductory flights through to Private Pilot's Licence and beyond, using adapted aircraft and specialist instruction.
• Virtual Aviation Experience (VAE) Remote flight simulation instruction delivered from home. Free 60-minute introductory session with own instructor, followed by paid sessions at £15 each, covering basics of flight, aircraft controls, straight and level flying, climbing, descending, and turning.
• Mobile Flight Simulator Outreach Transportable flight simulator brought to community groups, schools, care homes, and events to provide aviation experiences without requiring airport access.
• Junior Aviation Course (JAC) Four-day intensive course specially designed for disabled children providing an introductory aviation experience while boosting everyday skills such as teamwork and organisation. Free to students aged 12-18 with disabilities.
• Aviation Education Programme (AEP) Nine-month course for young people aged 12-18 with any disability, covering How We Fly, Airport Operations, Fire and Rescue, Engineering, and Air Traffic Control modules. Funded by BBC Children in Need, free to students.
• Aspire-Ability Programme designed to help participants build confidence, independence, and ambition through aviation-based activities.
• Group Activity Days Opportunities for organisations supporting disabled individuals of any age or ability to engage with aviation through aircraft flights over British countryside or ground-based aviation activities.
• Scholarships Funded programmes supporting disabled individuals to pursue flight training and aviation education, sourced from charitable trusts and aviation partners such as The Air League, Boeing, Help for Heroes, and Burry Charitable Trust.
• Accessible Aerobatics Aerial aerobatic experiences adapted for disabled participants.
• Able Electric Electric flying experiences delivered in partnership with 4AIR as part of the Able Electric programme.
• The Propeller Club (Corporate Membership) Tiered corporate membership programme starting at £5,000 annually for 2 Blade entry level, with 4 Blade top tier offering exclusive access, team volunteering, aircraft naming opportunities, and unique aviation experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Disabled individuals have achieved Private Pilot\'s Licences, first solo flights, and commercial pilot training pathways through Aerobility.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Doncaster Sheffield AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partnership to bring accessible aviation to the local disabled community. Airport provided facilities and support for four-day event with flights, tours, and community engagement. Partnership includes other charities (The Mark Long Trust, 2Excel, Vulcan to the Sky Trust) for comprehensive accessible aviation experience.
• The Mark Long TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Donated volunteer time and finances to support accessible aviation event at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Partnership amplifies Aerobility's mission in the Yorkshire region.
• 2ExcelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Aviation company partner supporting accessible aviation events. Also founding member of Propeller Club and corporate aircraft partner.
• Vulcan to the Sky TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Provided behind-the-scenes tours of historic bomber aircraft Vulcan XH558 at Doncaster Sheffield Airport event.
• Credo Care FosteringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Ofsted Outstanding-rated specialist disability fostering agency. Collaboration offers young people in foster care fully accessible flying experiences. Joint advocacy for disability inclusion. Marked for Foster Care Fortnight 2026.
• The Stelios Philanthropic FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025Donated London HQ space for Propeller Club launch event. Major philanthropist Sir Stelios supports the charity through venue provision and advocacy.
• London Biggin Hill AirportcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025Founding member of Propeller Club. CEO David Winstanley serves as founding member. Corporate supporter and participant in Cherokee Six aircraft funding.
• NATScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025UK air navigation service provider. Founding member of Propeller Club. Previously raised £150,000 for Tecnam aircraft purchase. Long-term supporter since 2011.
• Bristow GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025Founding member of Propeller Club. Aviation industry partner supporting accessible aviation mission.
• AerobytescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025Founding member of Propeller Club. Aviation enthusiast group and corporate supporter.
• Lydd Aero ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2025Provided instructors and volunteers for first Junior Aviation Course at Lydd Airport. Passionate, generous aviation professionals sharing expertise with next generation.
• Lydd AirportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2025Hosted first Junior Aviation Course at Kent location. Provided facilities enabling Aerobility to expand youth programmes geographically.
• Midlands Air AmbulanceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2025Donated facility use to participants for Junior Aspiring Pilot Programme at Tatenhill. Professional and inspiring environment for the week-long course.
• Rolls-RoyceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Hosted exclusive behind-the-scenes tour for JAPP participants at their facility. Highlight of the programme for young aspiring pilots.
• Nicholson McLaren AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssisted with Cherokee Six engine overhaul requirements. Proud to support Aerobility's mission to transform lives through aviation.
• 4AIRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric aviation partner. Announced February 2026 to deliver electric flying experiences as part of Able Electric programme.
• Flynqy Pilot TrainingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership announced August 2025 to deliver accessible aviation to Cornwall region.
• CiriumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerData partner announced August 2025 at InterAirport Munich. Joint charity partnership with Frost & Sullivan as Knowledge Partner.
• Frost & SullivanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge partner announced August 2025 at InterAirport Munich. Part of joint charity partnership at InterAirport.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Air League: UK aviation charity providing flying scholarships and aviation education to young people, including disabled individuals. Closely comparable as a UK aviation education charity that funnels scholarship funding (including Boeing support) to aspiring pilots, overlapping significantly with Aerobility's scholarship pipeline.
• Wings for Warriors: UK charity funding wounded military personnel through flight training. Operates a near-identical model to Aerobility's veteran-focused flight training pathway (including Household Cavalry Foundation funding), serving an overlapping beneficiary segment of injured veterans pursuing aviation careers.

Regional players

• Able Flight: US-based nonprofit providing flight training and aviation experiences to people with disabilities. Closest international analogue to Aerobility's mission, operating modified aircraft and scholarship programmes for disabled students pursuing pilot certification in a different geography.

Others

• British Gliding Association: UK governing body for gliding, with which Aerobility has documented award partnership (Wings of Endeavour Award named after Aerobility CEO). Adjacent UK aviation body sharing the inclusive aviation mission and ecosystem overlap in pilot training pathways.
• Light Aircraft Association: UK membership organisation for amateur-built and light sport aircraft, providing regulatory and technical support to private pilots and aircraft builders. Comparable as ecosystem participant within UK general aviation, where Aerobility operates its adapted light aircraft fleet.
• Help for Heroes: UK charity supporting wounded veterans, including significant funding of flight training scholarships. While not a direct aviation operator, it functions as both a financial partner and adjacent beneficiary pathway to Aerobility's veteran programmes, often co-funding the same participants.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Aeronautical Society: The UK's broader professional aviation body covering all aviation disciplines. Operates at industry level rather than charity beneficiary level, but shares the aviation accessibility and education agenda and provides wider sector context that frames Aerobility's specialist role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Aerobility
• Xx.com/aerobility

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aerobility