The children, aged between 2 and 13 years, will be travelling from Gracia Child and Youth Centre in Pretoria North and Refilwe Community Project in Lanseria to Grand Central Airport where they will be met by a team of pilots and aviation enthusiast who have volunteered their time and aircraft to create a memorable day for the children. Grand Central Airport has waived all airport fees for the participating aircraft on the day.
In addition, the children will be treated to a two ship aerobatic display by qualified pilots, Nigel Hopkins and Jason Beamish, during their lunch break.
The Children’s Flight is the brainchild of pilot Felix Gosher who came up with the concept as a Nelson Mandela Day initiative, inspired by a music video called ‘Paper Plane’ by Michael Ferguson. “The song is essentially about a child with a dream to fly, but on a deeper level it’s about anyone with a dream,” says Gosher. “For so long aviation was an exclusive privilege. We wanted to bring aviation to the children, to promote the idea that anyone can be whatever they dream of being. One day if even one of these kids goes for their dream, then this day may have played a role in that,” he explains.
Grand Central Airport manager, Sarah Thepa, recalls the welcoming atmosphere and feeling of excitement she experienced the first time she set foot in Grand Central Airport as a child when her father brought her to look at the airplanes. “I would love for all young children to share the passion and excitement I felt for aviation as a child,” Sarah says. “For this reason, I am delighted that we can be part of an initiative that exposes children to the aviation industry.”
