AirFirst's 85 Challenge

Hello my name is Emma, my Mum and I own and operate AirFirst a Flight Training School based at Blackbushe Airport in Surrey. For the past 15 yrs we've been teaching and training tomorrow's future pilots.

I'm incredibly passionate about the preservation and conservation of our Aviation History, making our younger generations aware of what's gone before. I feel its our responsibility to educate and make everyone aware of the sacrifices made by the few, who's todays were given for our tomorrows.

Following on from the success of "Airfirst's Airfield Challenge" last year where we flew into 30 airfields in 2 days to raise money for 2 incredibly worthy aviation charities, a new challenge has been set.

This year to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain a major campaign in the summer of 1940, we're going to fly into 85 airfields in 2 days. The Battle of Britain was the first decisive battle in history fought entirely in the air.

The Challenge will take place on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th June, once again largely inspired by some of my favourite airfields raising money for 3 extremely worthy aviation causes.

In addition to The Kent Battle of Britain Museum and The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, this year we'll also be raising money for Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum is situated on the former RAF Hawkinge site near Folkestone in Kent and is home to the largest collection of Battle of Britain memorabilia and artefacts in the world! Operated and run by Dave and his wonderful team of volunteers, money donated will continue the conservation and preservation of our World War 2 aviation history.

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is situated at East Kirkby Airfield in Lincolnshire and is home to a number of historic aircraft including Avro Lancaster NX611 "Just Jane".

Andrew and his team are currently in the midst of a 10 year restoration project to try and return "Just Jane" to airworthy condition. Monies raised would help continue the vital work for the restoration of this incredibly historic aircraft.

Stow Maries is the largest and most intact Great War Aerodrome in Europe. Situated in the Essex countryside between Chelmsford and Maldon this historic gem has a captivating history spanning over a century. Ian and his dedicated team constantly face the threat of closure due to much needed funds to keep this incredibly important and historic site open.

I've had the privilege to visit all 3 of these extraordinary places a number of times all of which do the most amazing job in keeping our aviation history alive. If like me your passionate about aviation and its history please please do consider donating to these incredibly worthy causes.

All monies raised will come in together to this one fundraiser and will then be split equally between the benefactors. Please do share the fundraiser far and wide to make as many people aware as we can.

Thus far its taken weeks of planning to choose the route and airfields, we'll mostly be doing touch and go's but there will still be a fair few airfields we will be landing at. These will be updated a little nearer the time.

For now I'd just like to say thank you for taking the time to read this, please do consider donating, every penny makes a difference and know that you'll be helping to keep our aviation history alive.

Thank you

Emma xx