Children’s Flight 2018

“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.”

Felix Gosher

The 2018 Children’s flight once again took part at the Grand Central Airport in Midrand.This year the event took place over a period of two days,to fly as many as 1000 children.The man at the head of the initiative was Felix Gosher who  together with Flint and Tinder and together with other sponsors came together organising the event.The idea was born when Felix was involved in the making of a music video for the song by Michael Ferguson “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.

Aircraft types that flew on the Friday, consisted of a Antonov 2 ‘Little Annie,Cessna C182s,C172s,Beechcraft Bonanzas,DC3,Cessna Caravan, TMGs,Seneca’s,Helicopters including a Alouette II and III,Bell 206 Jet rangers, a Gazelle, Robinson R44s and the list went on. The kids had a real treat flying in one of the different types of aircraft.They also got to witness a paradrop from ‘Little Annie’ from 7500 feet.A Airshow was also put on stage for them from our familiar airshow circuit pilots.Nigel Hopkins flew his Extra 330,together with Barrie Eeles .

Gazelle

Bell 407

Charles Fuller Alouette II

Alouette Pilots Charles Fuller & Rob Osner

Alouette II

The RV team was also on display with their tight formation aerobatics on both Friday and Saturday. The Aero L29 ZU-AUX was displayed by Lt Col Glen ‘Gringo’ Warden. Patrick Davidson flew his RedBull Sponsored Sbach and Juba Jourbert flew a remarkable Alouette II Display and many more!

Aero L29

Patrick Davidson

Skydiver

Activities for the children included a flight in a aircraft, a filling lunch, cupcakes,face painting and other forms of entertainment. They then received Flight Certificate signed by their pilots and a gift from some of the many sponsors of the event. To see the faces on the kids before and after their flight was truly a sight to behold, a lump in the throat was really on the move  who witnessed the event all for the kids. We look forward to next year and hope some of the kids reach for their dream.