Benefit Air Show Raises $110,000 For Alan Henley

When the aviation community learned last year that Alan Henley, the lead pilot with the Aeroshell Team, had broken his neck in a fall at home, they quickly rallied to find a way to raise some money to help him and his young family — and a benefit air show was soon in the works. Bobbi Thompson, one of the show organizers, announced this week at Sun ‘n Fun that the show had raised $110,000, an amount that brought a smile to Henley’s face and brought his wife, Jennifer, to tears. “That is unbelievable,” Henley said. “Thanks to everybody.” The show was held earlier this month at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla., and featured more than six hours of flying over two days, with 35 acts. “By golly, we had an airshow!” said Thompson. The Henleys live in Alabama, where Alan continues to undergo rehabilitation. The Aeroshell team has established a foundation to benefit the family, donations are accepted online.