November 2025

 


Greetings!


As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for the passion, generosity, and commitment you have shown throughout the year.


Because of your support, hundreds of children and youth with special needs experienced the confidence-building joy of flight in 2025. Our Fly Day season is now complete, and we look forward to launching our next event in Ft. Lauderdale on January 31, 2026.


As we close out the year, we have two meaningful opportunities for you to continue advancing our mission:


First, I invite you to participate in Giving Tuesday on December 2nd, a global day of generosity that directly strengthens our ability to deliver life-changing aviation experiences.


Second, you can help give the gift of flight by purchasing a $100 ticket for a chance to win two round-trip flights on JSX. Only 200 tickets will be sold, making this an exceptional opportunity to support Challenge Air while entering to win a wonderful travel experience. (see below for more information)


Your year-end contribution—no matter the amount—helps ensure we begin 2026 strong and ready to serve even more families. Please consider making a gift before December 31, 2025.


During this season of giving thanks, we are profoundly grateful for you and the community that makes our mission possible. Thank you for standing with us and for helping change lives through the gift of flight.




For the Kids,


April Culver

CEO/ Executive Director

Holiday Raffle Benefiting Challenge Air!

This holiday season, your generosity could send a child soaring and send you on a dream getaway.


From November 12 – December 15, 2025 (midnight CST), enter our "Give the Gift of Flight" for your chance to win two roundtrip flights on JSX—a premium hop-on jet service that’s redefining travel.


✨ Your Impact:

Every ticket purchased supports Challenge Air for Kids & Friends, helping children with special needs take to the skies, build confidence, and experience the magic of flight.


🎟 Prize Details

One lucky winner will be selected at random to receive:

✈️ Two roundtrip JSX flight vouchers


Winner will be notified by email on December 17, 2025.



Get Ready to Take Flight in 2026!

We can’t wait to welcome families, volunteers, and pilots for another incredible season of flight! ⁠

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This next year brings a NEW city, new smiles, and even more opportunities to help children with special needs build courage, confidence, and unforgettable memories in the cockpit. ⁠

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Registration is NOW OPEN — tap below to sign up and be part of the magic!⁠

Spotlight on VIP Co-Pilot Grayson

🎥 Ready for takeoff? Our VIP Co-Pilot Grayson shares his unforgettable Fly Day adventure — and let’s just say, they took things to new heights!


👉 Watch his reaction and see why these moments mean so much.

Spreading Wings and Changing Lives — Together with Rotary District 5810

Honored to spread the mission of Challenge Air!


Our Executive Director/CEO, April Culver, joined Rotary District 5810 leaders late last month to share how we’re giving kids with special needs the gift of flight.

Pictured here with Rotary District Governor Mary Bedowsky and our Board President “D” Schieferstein — inspiring partners who help make our wings possible.


Together, we’re empowering kids with disabilities to believe in themselves — because 'if you can fly an airplane, you can do anything.'

Sponsor Spotlight on CAE

For the second consecutive year, CAE has partnered with the Tulsa Fly Day as an event sponsor.


Challenge Air depends on the generosity of companies like CAE to support local fly days enabling the experience of flying an airplane for kids with special needs for free!


Executive Director, April Culver, asked CAE Captain David Horn why this partnership is so special to him? "The love of aviation has always been in my heart and it has guided me first as a hobby then to a career. Being able to introduce flight opportunities to someone by taking them on a flight around town or being a team member at CAE training pilots around the world is priceless. Myself and others at CAE feel honored to have participated in Tulsa’s fly day and we look forward to future events with Challenge air."


Thank you, David, Sue and CAE for your kindness and dedication.

 Denver Holiday Market Fundraiser

Our Denver Holiday Market on November 2nd was a wonderful event, thanks to our friends at Blanchard Family Wines and all who joined us for an afternoon of shopping, wine, and giving back. 🍷✨


There’s still time to get involved — place your bid in the online auction and help support the 2026 Denver Challenge Air Fly Day.


100% of proceeds will directly benefit this inspiring event!

Together, We’re Changing Lives Through Flight This Giving Tuesday!

This Giving Tuesday, you can help make dreams take flight — literally! 💙 Our goal is to fly 100 more children with special needs in 2026, and we need your help to get there.


Every $250 raised gives one child the chance to co-pilot an airplane — an experience that builds confidence, courage, and lifelong memories.


Mark your calendar for December 2nd and be part of something truly uplifting



Because when a child with special needs discovers they can fly a plane… they realize they can do anything.

Charting a Course for 2026 & Beyond!

The Challenge Air Board of Trustees recently came together to finalize the strategic plan, setting the stage for a bright and exciting future.


With thoughtful planning and collaboration, the board is preparing to continue Challenge Air’s mission of empowering children with special needs through aviation—and make 2026 a year full of new opportunities!

Challenge Air Featured on the

“Someone You Should Know” Podcast

Recently, our CEO & Executive Director, April Culver, joined Stuart Sax on the Someone You Should Know podcast to share the inspiring story behind Challenge Air for Kids & Friends — how one man’s dream took flight to empower children and youth with special needs.


Hear how our mission continues to help kids build confidence, discover their potential, and realize that if they can fly an airplane, they can do anything.



🎧 Watch or listen now and be inspired by the incredible impact your support helps make possible.

Thank you so much for supporting the Challenge Air mission.
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