Children & youth living with disabilities and serious illnesses learn first hand that “the sky’s the limit!”at the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport.
80+ children and youth with special needs from the Ft. Lauderdale area will have the opportunity to experience the wonders of flight at the 2016 Challenge Air “Fly Day” Event at Banyan Air Service at the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport.
This FREE, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Challenge Air Program will offer children & youth with special needs free 30-minute plane rides. The single-engine planes will be flown by a group of about 30 volunteer pilots who are donating their time and services to the event. The Challenge Air “Event” Program focuses on the children’s abilities and shows them through example the many possibilities available to them. Part of the flight experience will allow for each child with special needs to actually take the controls of the small plane to send the message that the sky is truly the limit not only at the Challenge Air event, but in life as well. As one participant put it:
“I began to look into the aviation field at a very young age and planned my life around flying…When I had my accident I thought that my dream was over, but I was wrong. Challenge Air showed me that…dreams don’t have to disappear, but sometimes attitudes do!”
The Challenge Air Program empowers and inspires all participants and their families to look beyond perceived limitations, helping to build confidence and self-esteem. The fun-filled day will consist of an educational ground school where the children will learn about the forces of flight and learn how pilots with physical challenges fly with specially equipped airplanes, and an inspirational flight in the co-pilot seat soaring over local points of interest.
Other activities will include static aircraft, face painting, clowns, hands-on educational activities related to flight, arts and crafts, food, music, games and much more. In addition, other local nonprofit agencies will be represented at the event to share their services with our special population of children and families.
Challenge Air is a 501 (c) nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1993, Challenge Air for Kids & Friends has inspired over 35,000 children and youth living with special needs, in thirty-six states.
The event is free to the participating children with special needs; however, Challenge Air is only able to provide these once-in-a-lifetime experiences through foundation support, corporate and individual donations and sponsorships. All participants must pre-register to participate
For more information about Challenge Air, please contact Juliet Siddons, Program Director, at (214) 351-3353 or e-mail events@challengeair.org. Visit us online at www.challengeair.org.
