Virtual Fly Day LIVE Event

Greetings!

What happens to a non-profit who caters to children with special needs through in-person events during a pandemic? We bring our co-pilots the next best thing!

We put our heads together and created a 12-minute Youtube video that will be used to host a "Virtual Fly Day" on March 6th, 2021 and YOU get to tune in and watch the kick off at McKinney Airport on Facebook LIVE at noon 12pm CT!

The concept behind the project is that kids with special needs will get to experience the gift of flight from the comfort of their home by watching an actual flight that was filmed using a 'Go-Pro' 360-degree camera mounted to the inside and outside of one of our pilots aircraft.

The video will take the co-pilot through the skies of Dallas, TX just as if they were seated next to the pilot. With the use of Virtual Reality goggles, the co-pilot will have the ability to place a smartphone in the goggles and look through to experience the flight. The video is recorded to react to the viewers movement. If the child looks up, the video looks up. If the child looks out the window, the video looks out the window. How cool is that?

If you are registered for the event, we will send communication when your virtual reality kit is shipped with specific directions on how to participate. If you missed the registration, you can still tune into our Facebook page (@challengeair) by joining LIVE on March 6th at 12pm CT. We are looking forward to it!

A Special Thanks to Those Who Have Sponsored a Co-Pilot!

Executive Director, April Culver, seen here is trying out the new virtual reality headsets in preparation for our first virtual fly day.

With a smart phone device, our registered co-pilots will take to the skies from the comfort and safety of their homes.

We would like to thank our donors who have already sponsored virtual reality kits. Each kit includes a Virtual Reality headset, Challenge Air T-Shirt, Wings and a Co-pilot certificate.

Our events are offered at no-cost to our families. For $20.00, you too can help sponsor a co-pilot and help build confidence through the gift of flight. Will you help support our mission?

Yes! I want to #givekidswings

We Want to Hear From YOU!

The excitement surrounding our first virtual fly day is overwhelming.

Did you miss registration? Tell us, if we held another event in late spring, would you be interested in signing up your child with special needs to experience the gift of flight virtually?

Click the link below to take a short survey.

Take the short survey

"Such an incredible opportunity for children that often watch from the sidelines as opportunities afforded most children pass them by...

My daughter loved flying with Rich in Centennial and the experience has shown her she is limited only by a lack of creative ways to overcome disabilities and challenges. Thank you."

- Stephanie G.

Pilot Spotlight

Meet Dave Prather from Kansas City, MO.

Dave has been a Challenge Air volunteer pilot for around 8 years. He first became introduced when Southwest Airlines, his employer, partnered with us. His favorite memory which is repeated often- are those "smiling faces of kids and families when they climb out of the airplane after a great flight!"

Dave first got his license in high school in the early 80s. He then flew with the US Air Force Fighters and onto the airlines. He flys an RV-8 aerobatic airplane for fun but rents a Cessna 172 for our Challenge Air fly day events.

An interesting fact about Dave is that he also has a Powered Paraglider. No co-pilots on this one, it only seats one!

You will find Dave flying at low altitude over the lush farmlands and rivers around the midwest U.S. With the airline, his love is flying over the Pacific Northwest, San Diego, and the Caribbean.

"There is more to life than being a passenger."

- Amelia Earhart

Let's Be Social

#Givekidswings