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Kumbululuka Kwa Bafana – Zambian Children’s Flight 2023
Felix Gosher is an Airline Transport Pilot Licence holder and charter pilot residing in Zambia Lusaka. Felix has been organizing the annual children’s flight for underprivileged children that have never flown in an aircraft before in South Africa, which started at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, South Africa and now taking place at the Magalies gliding club, Magaliesburg.
Five hundred Children who had never flown before now had a chance to leave the ground and feel for themselves what flight feels like over the past weekend at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport which is located in Chongwe District.
Felix also recently hosted the Elders flight which took a number of Elderly South African citizens for their first flight in an aircraft at Brakpan Airfield in the east rand of Johannesburg. Five hundred Children who had never flown before now had a chance to leave the ground and feel for themselves what flight feels likes!
After a successful Children’s Flight in Zambia last year on the flight line of the Zambia Airforce base in Lusaka. 2023 was surely another triumphant event with together with Belinda Gosher (Felix’s Wife) together with sponsors aircraft and pilots and the Zambia Airforce (ZAF), an event worthwhile seeing kids’ faces of excitement before and after their flight in an aircraft for the first time.
The South African media generously sponsored a flight ticket to attend the event on behalf of Aviation Central. Our flight took us from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on a local flight operator in Zambia, Proflight on a CRJ on a two-hour journey to Zambia Lusaka. The Southern Sun Ridgway Hotel kindly sponsored the South African Media team for two nights of accommodation.
On arrival, we were greeted by Felix and Belinda at the Airforce side of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Of course, the day before the event, set up is key, as making sure all is in order for the following day with vendors and helping hands busy with their assigned tasks. Without sponsors, this event would not take place.
We arrived at the airport awaiting the arrival of the children from a number of homes and orphanages through the approval of the Zambia ministry to fly an aircraft and enjoy a day with food and entertainment. The first of the morning’s proceedings started off with the lord’s prayer to kick start a safe and give an assurance that the children would remember endlessly.
The arrival of the Chief of the Zambia Air Force Lieutenant General Colin Barry, with the air force band relaying the Zambia National Anthem, while a Y12 dropped skydivers from the Zambia Airforce. One of the skydiving members also flew the Zambian flag on his return to the ground.
Alpha & Bravo Flight was up first with a Proflight Boeing 737-5Y0 and a Zambia Airforce MA60 transport aircraft to take the first load of children for their flight.
During the speeches, “ZAF Commander, Lieutenant General Colin Barry said the event was important as it was centered around inclusivity, awakening innovation and the pursuit of knowledge among vulnerable children.”
“Let’s challenge everyone to think bigger and reach higher. Through these activities we are giving the underprivileged children a glimpse of the future that is full of possibilities,” Lieutenant General Barry said.
This was followed by Charlie’s flight with more Zambia Airforce assets including a Beechcraft 1900, Cessna 208B Caravan, Y12, MA60, and a civilian King Air and a lonesome Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander.
It was then the start of the flying festivities with the Zambia Airforce Golden Eagles. The Hongdu JL-8 (K8) display team is made up of five Karakorum-8. This was a first for Aviation Central to see this jet display team in action and all we could say is WOW…
On the completion of the K8s, South African airshow display pilot Jason Beamish took to the air with his high-energy aerobatic display in his Extra 330LX. This was the first civilian aerobatic display in 50 years of independence. Jason was surely a favorite of the day with the crowd as well as the Zambia air force pilots.
On completion, it was the first of the smaller aircraft to take to the air with a combination of the Zambia Airforce. Including Cessna 206s, Beechcraft Barons, Cessna C185s, Cessna C210s, and Piper Cherokee just to name a few. The Zambia Airforce L15s were then next to do a few low-level fly-past. Being at an International airport, onlookers are able to see a number of airlines arriving, an added treat being so close to the runway on the flight line at ZAF Lusaka Airforce Base.
The ZAF hangar that was provided for utilization for the event, had a number of arrangements of seating and tables for the little ones to enjoy their meal and provide an aviation party with DJ Switcher on the turn table. Goodie bags with hats, sunglasses, and snacks were also provided.
After each of the displays, the children were able to meet and greet the display pilots and a boost of encouragement for them to become pilots in the ZAF or in the aviation industry, with that said another successful children’s flight came to an end.
Well done Felix and all that made the 2023 Zambia Children’s Flight takeoff! Thanks to everyone who made it possible to get Aviation Central to this year’s Zambia Children’s Flight.
FLY FEED LOVE INSPIRE
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The Childrens Flight 2022
Dawn broke on the foot hills of the Magaliesburg mountains, as is it was time for the 2022 edition of the Children’s Flight that was held at Orient Airfield this past Friday. This being the field of dreams for many aspiring and current aviators!
The Children’s Flight’s origins lie in a music video called ‘Paper Plane’, which is essentially about a child with a Dream to fly, but on a deeper level it’s about anyone with a dream.
Aviation is traditionally about defying great odds and overcoming the laws of nature, the politics of man, the limitations of economy, and technological development…..for so long aviation was an exclusive privilege to supreme military, selected individuals or the super wealthy…
We wanted to bring home aviation to the children, to promote the idea that anyone can be what ever they dream of being… That you can literally ‘take that paper plane to your destiny’…. one day if even one of these kids goes for their dream, then this day may have played a role in that.
500 kids from underprivileged backgrounds got to fly in a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft for the first time in their lives. They were treated to a splendid day out where they were spoilt in the aviation fraternity.
Skydivers opened the Children’s flight from their jump ship an Antonov An2 ZU-FOO, once landed a rather large Van’s RV formation flew over the field.
It was then time for the rotary types to take children up in a Bell Huey, Bell 407, Alouette II and Alouette III just to name a few.
The fixed with aircraft comprised of a Bat Hawk to a Cessna 208 Caravan. Hot 102.7 Radio Station were also present on the day doing a live radio broadcast of the days proceedings. Brian Emmenis provided commentary of the afternoons airshow as he was also scheduled to be at the Grand Rand Airshow in a few days after the Children’s Flight.
An airshow display was then provided by Airshow South Africa, with the Puma Flying Lions led by Scully Levin, Menno Parsons in his Tiger Bell UH-1 Huey.
Andre van Zyl in his Magni Gyrocopter, Ivan and Jeandre van der Schaar debuting the Boeing Stearman and RC Extra 300 display. As well as the Goodyear Eagles Pitts Specials and Iveco Extra 330s flown by Nigel Hopkins and Jason Beamish.
Pictures by Anton Wannenburg,Lettie van Emmenis & Jarryd Sinovich
We’ll done to Felix Gosher, all major role players and Sponsors for giving the children the time of their life.
