Children are initially introduced to Challenge Air through the well organized Events program. Events are very special occasions scheduled on a Saturday. The preregistered children attend a mandatory ground school where they are given short presentations about the dynamics of flight, about other aviation studies, and about the aviation industry. Hands-on educational areas offer fun learning experiences surrounding the basic concepts the children learned at the ground school. These activities may include building model airplanes, flight simulators, project sheets, experiments to learn about flight concepts including lift, thrust, and gravity, and the opportunity to explore a real airplane stationed on the ground. These learning activities are adjusted for all levels of age and ability.

Typically 15-25 private planes owned by physically challenged or able-bodied volunteer pilots participate in the events. Weather, time and safety permitting, one of the goals of the event is to provide the opportunity for the children to participate in an actual flight in these small, privately owned aircraft operated by a licensed pilot. Many of the volunteer pilots are also physically challenged. They have overcome their own physical challenges to accomplish their dreams to fly. Volunteer pilots spend quality time with their young co-pilots as the children are often encouraged to take the controls to actually fly the planes themselves.

Not only is the Event a great introduction to flight, more importantly, it is where these special children are empowered by the flight experience – to look beyond any perceived physical or mental limitations, to demonstrate ability, to set personal goals, to experience achievement, and to look ahead to a more enriched and prosperous life.

Events are volunteer driven. Challenge Air recruits and trains volunteer pilots from many organizations including the International Wheelchair Aviators (IWA), the Flying Rotarians, a worldwide fellowship of Rotary International; the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); Women in Aviation, the 99’s; veteran organizations, etc. Planning committees and ground crew volunteers are recruited from various service organizations such as Rotary International, and Lions Club International and also from corporate volunteer groups like those at Washington Mutual, NOKIA, Southwest Airlines, and many, many others.

Events in Texas have been held in Addison, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, McKinney, San Antonio, Tyler, and Waco. Nationally, “Fly Day” events have been held in other cities such as Battle Creek, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Eugene, Ft. Lauderdale, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Lake Charles, Monett, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Oshkosh, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, Syracuse, Watsonville, White Plains, and many more.

Challenge Air collaborates with other organizations serving the same population to invite children who are particularly suited to participate at the Events and who would benefit the most from this program. These are usually athletic groups for youth with disabilities, physical/occupational/recreational therapy groups, social service agencies, specialized treatment centers, special education school groups, etc. Some local organizations that have partnered with Challenge Air are: The ARC of Dallas, The Easter Not only is the Events a great introduction to flight, more importantly, it is where these special children are empowered by the flight experience – to look beyond any perceived physical or mental limitations, to demonstrate ability, to set personal goals, to experience achievement, and to look ahead to a more enriched and prosperous life. Seal Society, Make-A-Wish, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Autism Treatment Center of Dallas, The Spina Bifida Association, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, United Cerebral Palsy, among many others.

Challenge Air plans to develop a number of programs designed to pro-vide long-term benefits to physically challenged youth through the aviation industry. Such programs will include a mentor program for these youth who are interested in careers in the field of general aviation, a scholarship program for further studies in aviation programs, and an internship program that will link Challenge Air participating youth with major aviation industry employers.

BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY

There are 4,242,000 children in the United States with disabilities. Of the nearly 20 million severely disabled people in the U.S., upwards of 70 percent of them face unemployment, according to recent Labor Department statistics. In the Dallas / Ft. Worth Metroplex alone, 8% of individuals ages 5 – 20 years old have a disability.

Events serve children from approximately 7-17 years of age, along with their families at no cost to them. Generally 125 children are served at each event supported exclusively by philanthropic support.

Challenge Air’s unique perspective for rehabilitation and motivational therapy fulfills specific therapeutic and emotional needs of these special children and provides the participants and their families a worry-free environment in which to share a positive experience that results in family and community bonding. Each child who participates in an Event experience receives life-long benefits. They experience the freedom through flight and are encouraged to see beyond their perceived limitations. The program also helps youth to seek and understand various occupational roles available to them which disabled people have often been discouraged from pursuing.

GET INVOLVED

Each Event is planned months in advanced. Challenge Air staff work together with community volunteer as a planning committee. The overall atmosphere of one Event to the next is a reflection of local community volunteers coming together to create a unique and wonderful environment for everyone involved.

If you would like to be part of the volunteer planning committee, please contact the Challenge Air office at 214-351-3353 or email Dana@challengeair.org. Your creative ideas could open new doors and exciting new opportunities at the next local Event in your community.