Over 500 senior citizens take to the skies at The Elders’ Flight 2026

by Pieter van der Sandt

On 3 October 2026, Wonderboom National Airport came alive with something rather special as more than 500 elderly people were treated to a day they will undoubtedly remember for a very long time.

The Flight of the Elders is an annual initiative spearheaded by Felix and Belinda Gosher, bringing together the aviation community, volunteers and sponsors to give something back to those who have spent their lives contributing to their families, communities and society.

For many of the guests, the day was about far more than simply arriving at an airport. They were welcomed and spoilt with food, entertainment, surprises and, most importantly, an opportunity to experience the thrill of flight. Each guest was given the opportunity to take to the skies in an aircraft or helicopter – something that, for many, may otherwise never have been possible.

There was laughter, excitement and more than a few wide-eyed passengers as aircraft and helicopters carried the guests into the skies above Pretoria. For a few precious moments, age seemed to disappear, replaced by the simple joy and wonder of seeing the world from above.

What makes the Flight of the Elders particularly special, however, is the spirit behind it. It is an example of what can happen when people choose to use what they have – their aircraft, their time, their skills, their resources and their generosity – not merely for themselves, but to enrich the lives of others.

Felix and Belinda's commitment does not end with this event. The Flight of the Elders forms part of a broader annual effort to make a difference, with a similar initiative providing an unforgettable experience for underprivileged children.

In a world where success is often measured by what we accumulate for ourselves, initiatives such as this offer a very different measure of wealth: the ability and willingness to give something of yourself to make somebody else's life a little richer.

As the saying goes:

“A life that is lived only for oneself may be successful, but a life that enriches the lives of others is truly meaningful.”

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of the Flight of the Elders. It is not really about the aircraft, the helicopters or even the flying. It is about people who are willing to go the extra mile – or, in this case, the extra few thousand feet – simply to bring joy to someone else.

And on 3 October at Wonderboom, more than 500 people were reminded that sometimes the greatest gift we can give another person is simply the opportunity to feel special, valued and remembered.

To Felix and Belinda Gosher, the pilots, aircraft owners, volunteers, sponsors, organisers and everyone who contributed to making the day possible: thank you for choosing to enrich lives rather than simply enrich yourselves. The skies were certainly a little brighter because of you.