Orphans get to fly at Grand Central Airport

On 1 September more than 35 aircraft, ranging from a Dash 8 to a Stinson, and local pilots will once again take to the skies over Grand Central Airport in Midrand to allow 400 orphaned children to experience flying for the first time.

It all began as an idea last year, with more than 60 children experiencing flight for the first time. The initiative quickly gathered momentum to become The Children’s Flight – a heartening demonstration of the great generosity, spirit and enthusiasm of the aviation community.

The children, who have all faced tremendous adversity in their short lives, were chosen through word of mouth in the community and nominated by various children’s homes.

This initiative is made possible through support by the aviation industry, including sponsorships from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, South African Air Force, various aviation companies, members of the public and a handful of pilots who have kindly sponsored their planes to be flown on their behalf.

“We wanted to bring home aviation to the children and to promote the idea that anyone can be whatever they dream of being, that it is possible to take that ‘paper plane’ to your destiny. If we manage to inspire even one of the children to reach for their dreams, then we will have been successful,” said Felix Gosher who pioneered The Children’s Flight.

The initiative is inspired by a song, Paper Plane, which Gosher co-wrote with musician Michael Ferguson. Paper Plane is about a child with a dream to fly. The music video for Paper Plane was shot in the rolling hills beyond Mogale City, in the Magaliesberg, in December 2015 and captures the way this young boy’s dream unfolds before his eyes – from playing out his dream of flying a paper plane to becoming a pilot and living out that dream.

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“The song is symbolic of my own aviation story. I used to make paper planes as a child and watching those pieces of A4 paper folded perfectly and flying from my hands was the image of my dream. It was a dream I eventually followed to become a pilot. May this day be an inspiration to anyone with a dream –any dream,” said Gosher.

“The response and enthusiasm from the aviation community to this project has been overwhelming.

“Aviation was considered an elitist activity and reserved for the military, selected individuals or the super wealthy. Yet aviation is essentially about defying all odds, emulating the freedom of a bird, casting all fears of failure aside and committing to a journey. A journey that is possible for all to embark on.

“This is what we hope to show the young children with The Children’s Flight. We want to bring the true spirit of aviation to a diverse group of South African orphans who may otherwise never have the opportunity to fly,” he said.

In addition to the aeroplane flips, the day’s activities will include a host of special spoils for the children who will be bussed to Grand Central for the day. There will be activities such as face painting, paper jet making and colouring in. They will also be treated to a two-ship aerobatic display by Nigel Hopkins and Jason Beamish while being treated to a buffet lunch.

At the end of the day, each child will be presented with a Taste of Flight Certificate by their pilots.

Details: www.thechildrensflight.co.za; Mark Mansfield 082 463 2436; mcubedmedia@outlook.com

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