Challenge Air builds self-esteem and confidence of children and youth with specials needs, through the experience of flight.

Since 1993, Challenge Air has enriched the lives of children and youth with special needs through its unique aviation programs. Challenge Air’s mission reflects the life-changing impact the flight experience has on children, families, donors, sponsors and communities as a whole.

A network of nearly 3,500 volunteers, nationwide enable Challenge Air to serve children and youth with special needs. Volunteers serve as pilots, ground crew, fundraisers, planning committee members and in numerous other capacities. As Challenge Air continues to grow and add more programs across the country, its mission will remain true…. To continue to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to special needs children and youth through the gift of flight.

Program Goals:

1) To improve the health and well-being of children/youth and families with special needs

2) Arouse children/youth with special needs to be excited about learning and inspired about their future

3) Educate children/youth about the aviation industry and encourage them to consider occupational roles other than the customary ones to which they are generally directed

4) Involve and promote civic and community engagement

Program Guidelines:

1. A. $ 25,000 "Fly Day" Budget. See program budget .
2. B. Scheduling and Program Funding:
   a. Event approved by Program Operational Team on __________________________.
   b. LOU due 30 days from date of approval and a non-refundable deposit contribution of $2,500.
   LOU/non-refundable deposit contribution Due Date: _______________________ .
   c. On receipt of LOU and the non-refundable deposit the event date shall be placed on the events calendar, online and published to the community.
   d. $10,000 due to CAKF 6 months from date of event. Due Date:________________________.
   If not received by due date, event subject to cancellation and loss of non-refundable deposit.
   e. The remaining $12,500 will be matched by the Challenge Air team through local fundraising avenues.

*All expenses must be made pre-approved by CAFKF and should not be paid by committee members, expecting reimbursement. Please see reimbursement request form.

B.  Assist the Challenge Air Staff in obtaining an appropriate aviation facility to accommodate the event. The facility must be able to provide ramp space for 15-25 airplanes, a covered area for activities, a place to serve and eat food and room for 2-5 static display aircraft or helicopters and parking for about 400 total people to include 300 participants, 40 volunteers plus visitors (media, sponsors, etc.). Airport must have control tower.

C. Locate children to participate in the event. The target audience for a Challenge Air participant is physically challenged and/or seriously ill children between the ages of 7-30.  The maximum number of children to locate is 125.  In addition, each participant is allowed to bring two friends, relatives or guardians to fly with them.  This equals a total of 375 who will fly.

D. A sufficient number of volunteers to plan, conduct and clean-up after the event. Approximately 150 volunteers to include 25 pilots, planners, loaders, etc. is usually more than sufficient.

E.  Obtain in-kind donations of food and drink for up to 500 people the day of the event to include breakfast and lunch. The breakfast menu is only for the 125 volunteers and pilots who come in the morning and usually consists of a continental breakfast (donuts, bagels, orange juice, etc). Lunch should be served from 12-1 for at least 500 people. The menu for lunch usually consists of hamburgers, hotdogs and/or pizza, etc.  Additionally, furnish at least 700 beverage pieces (500 bottles of water and 200 soda) for the participants and volunteers. Sometimes a special pilot’s lunch is donated and/or pilot and volunteer wrap party.

F. Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities. Usually these are available at the aviation facility selected. However, if they are not, you may have to contact a portable restroom provider. Two to four port-a-lets is usually sufficient.

G. Locate the equipment needed for operating the day of the event. This equipment includes, but is not limited to approximately 30 tables, 125 chairs, public address (P.A.) system (as required), red carpet, stanchions  and tape or rope for controlling the traffic flow in accordance to TSA requirements and any safety items that might be required.  See Event Manual, Event Set-up and Supply List.

H.  Assist the Challenge Air Staff with Press/Media Relations. Assistance will be needed in locating local media contacts for pre-event and event publicity.

I.   Reports. Periodically report to Challenge Air during the pre-planning stages of the event. Scheduled project calls will be supplied.

J.   Assist the Challenge Air Staff in locating Sponsors for the following items: lodging and transportation (rental car), entertainment, travel, etc.

How Can I Bring Challenge Air To My Community?

Applications for the 2011 "Fly Day" program are now closed.

Challenge Air for Kids & Friends is now taking “Fly Day” requests for its 2012 programs.

First, please review our mission and program guidelines to find out if your city is a fit for our qualifications.

Second, if you believe your organization or program satisfies our qualifications, you should then submit a complete application to be considered. Applications should detail out why you feel the Challenge Air program is a good fit for your city.

In order to be considered for a 2012 “Fly Day” program, applications will be reviewed bi-annually on April 1^st (for events to be held during the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of the following year) and October 1^st (for events to be held during the 3^rd and 4^th quarters
of the following year). Each locales application will be submitted to the Challenge Air programs committee and reviewed.

Once you are chosen as a select city, the terms will be formalized in a letter of understanding. The letter of understanding will outline Challenge Air’s expectations for a “Fly Day” and details Challenge Air’s commitment to your programs success.

If you have questions concerning your particular qualifications and want to submit a letter of inquiry prior to preparing an application, you may do so. Any letter of inquiry should include a summary of your request and the impact it could have on the people served. After reviewing the letter, Challenge Air staff can assess whether or not your organization should continue the application process based on your qualifications. Preliminary meetings are discouraged.

Thank you in advance for your interest in our program!