Hi

Rule 1 of PR - Always leave enough time to get the information across.

Rule 1 of life - Things never go to plan.

I can think of no other occasion in which the aviation industry have come together and offered £35,000 worth of amazing prizes to launch a new charity aimed at helping those that dream of becoming a pilot. And this is because one of the most respected men in the industry has terminal cancer. It's an exceptional show of support, created in a very short period of time and this auction will get this legacy rolling.

And I have just five days to try and get the word out there.  It would be a tricky task at the best of time but this is also my Father, so I have stepped in at the last minute to see what I can do.

At this stage, you may simply get this too late or it might have landed on the wrong desk.  I can only apologise, in my working week there is someone in the office, much better at loading press releases.  My priority right now is to try and get the word out there about the auction prizes. So even if this is not right for you, please do pass on the information to anyone you might know that may just fancy hanging upside down in a plane. Or tweet, anything that could help Kura Aviation launch this great charity.

However, in a world of profit and loss, of staff turnover and industry competition, pulling together in order to continue the work of a respected colleague, is an interesting story in it's own right. 

If you need further information, please don't hesitate to contact. I have attached a list of these amazing prizes.

Kindest,

Sophie 

Press release

The ultimate gift

The online auction that is creating a legacy in the

aviation industry

A young man with a passion for flying, an illustrious career in aviation and now, a legacy aimed at creating opportunities for those who demonstrate real passion to become a commercial airline pilot.

In April this year, aviation industry expert Mike Langley was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was heart breaking news that has seen the aviation industry pull together to recognise the significant role that Mike has played in supporting self-funded pilots, airlines, universities and regulatory bodies across the globe.

The launch of the Mike Langley Foundation kicks off with an online charity auction with a phenomenal £35,000 worth of prizes. Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Ultimate High Academys, Planespeak and the Royal Air Force are just some of those that have given an array of once in a lifetime prizes.

This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who has always wanted to fly with a formation display team, attempt a barrel role or experience flight simulators used by leading airlines. Budding pilots get additional professional training courses to help them on their journey and for those that simply want a relaxing night away, that's covered too. There really is a prize for everyone but be quick, auction bids close at midnight on the 30th November 2016.

Mike's dream was to fly and he achieved it. His ambition was to provide the very best flight training to pilots and airlines across the globe and he succeeded. Perhaps his biggest achievement is making pilot training a possibility for individuals who could never previously have accessed funding. The respect that he gained in doing so has resulted in the aviation industry coming together and creating The Mike Langley Foundation, launched by Kura Aviation, the industry's only Community Interest Company.

His legacy will be helping young people fulfil their dream to become a commercial airline pilot.

The Mike Langley Foundation will be formally launched by Captain Ian Baston, flybe, at a fund raising event on the evening of Tuesday 29th November.

To bid, go to:http://www.kuraaviation.com/mike-langley-foundation

The online auction will remain open until midnight on the 30th of November where the highest overall bids for any one prize will be identified and the lucky winners announced!

About Mike Langley

There is no doubt that Mike's love of flying was kick started by a father who worked with Sunderland flying boats in the Second World War. Some years later, a move south saw the family living next door to the De Havilland aircraft site and it was here that Mike joined the 2203 Hatfield and DE Havilland squadron Air Cadets.
 

There was no looking back. Determined to forge a career in aviation, he trained as a navigator with the Royal Air Force and spent many years flying in both Europe and the Middle East. A well respected officer, Mike reached the rank of Wing Commander before deciding that promotion was taking him further from his real passion for aviation.

 So following a long flying career in the Royal Air Force, he moved into commercial aviation training, working with both Oxford Aviation Academy as Head of Ground Training and then as Director of Commercial & Employment at CAE OAA. In his 17 years as a senior manager, he has been involved at all levels in the development of new and innovative training programmed for ab-initio students. Mike played a leading role in the development of OAA's Airline Careers and Assessment Centre. As Commercial Director he worked closely with airlines and industry partners worldwide.

Mike gained an MSc in Corporate Management by Cranfield University in 1998 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Buckinghamshire Nuffield University for contribution to development of aviation courses in 2011.

About Kura Aviation

Kura was founded as an independent organisation in 2014 to create new training and employment opportunities for aspiring pilots to access the profession by the most cost effective route possible; in the knowledge there is no compromise in training quality or employment opportunities.

Kura is the first Community Interest Company (CIC) in the industry. Profits are re-invested back into the trainee pilot community, which will create a whole new funding dimension for aspiring pilots across the industry. It will directly benefit those who find the cost of entry to the profession prohibitive. Mike is a founder member of Kura and head of its Advisory Board.

For further information, please contact:

Sophie Langley, Transform Communications

Mob:07875 296895 Email:sophie@transformcommunications.co.uk

Isobel Hall, Kura Aviation

Tel: +44 (0) 1789 296 916 Email:contact@kuraaviation.com