November 2024

Hello April,

As we reflect on 2024 and prepare for the year ahead, we’re filled with gratitude for the supporters, volunteers, and communities who make our mission possible. For 31 years, Challenge Air has provided life-changing flight experiences for children and youth with special needs, and it’s only with your help that we can keep delivering these unforgettable moments.

This year alone, with your generosity, over 600 VIPs (Very Important Passengers) took to the skies, feeling the thrill and freedom of co-piloting an airplane. For many of these children, this is more than just a flight—it’s a boost in confidence, a spark of joy, and a reminder that the sky’s the limit.

As we approach the year-end season of giving, we invite you to remember Challenge Air in your charitable plans. Every contribution helps us bring the gift of flight to even more communities, allowing us to continue inspiring, uplifting, and connecting with children and families across the nation.

Together, let’s make 2025 another year of soaring dreams and boundless possibilities. Thank you for your support, and here’s to many more years of changing lives through flight!

April Culver

CEO/ Executive Director

Unforgettable Moments in Tulsa

Join us as we look back on an incredible day at the Tulsa Fly Day! Watch the video below. 🎥✨

Upcoming Events

📣 Get ready for the first Fly Day of 2025! Registration is now open! ✈️

Pilots, families, and volunteers, mark your calendars for January 25, 2025, and join us for an unforgettable day of fun, friendship, and flight. Don't miss out on this amazing event—come be a part of the excitement!

Join Us This GivingTuesday:

Make a Difference with Every Gift!

Join us this Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, as we continue the mission of building confidence through flight for children and youth with special needs. Your generous support helps us create life-changing experiences that prove the sky's not the limit to what you can do.

14 Co-Pilots Sponsored for Denver 2025

We had an enjoyable afternoon at the Adopt a Co-Pilot fundraiser on November 2nd at FlyteCo Tower! With the incredible support from our community, we raised over $2,100—enough to sponsor 14 Co-Pilots for next year’s Fly Day. Our goal is to reach 100 sponsored Co-Pilots before the big event in 2025, and we’re off to an amazing start!

Guests enjoyed delicious food, a round of bowling, and a special tour of the historic Stapleton Tower. It was a day filled with fun, inspiration, and a shared commitment to making dreams come true. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

Nonverbal Child Speaks at Tulsa Fly Day

Captain Timothy H. shares a heartwarming moment from the Tulsa Fly Day!

"I was a volunteer pilot at the Tulsa event. I had flown several missions through the morning and then took a short break for lunch. The next family wanting to fly was a mother and her two boys. The mother explained that her older child what special needs but verbal, whereas her younger child was nonverbal. 

For weight and balance reasons, we decided the mother would fly twice, once with each child. The mother anticipated that the more difficult child would be the youngest nonverbal child and so elected to fly first with the youngest because the outcome was less certain. 

We boarded the aircraft with the help of all the team volunteers and both mother and the youngest child wore their headset. The child turned away from me with his eyes glued out the window on the right side. 

As I pointed out things the child could see out the window such as the football field, the river, etc. the child would nod so I know he was listening. As we were finishing our circuit approaching the airport again over the river, the young boy said “Fun Mommy!” His mother, was amazed to hear the supposedly nonverbal child talk.

We went on taking his older brother up in the air around the circuit and then several more children after that. Hearing the nonverbal child say “Fun Mommy” was the highlight of the whole day."

Thank You, Joe Montag,

for Your Incredible Support!

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated Board of Trustees member, Joe Montag, for his generous $25,000 donation at North Texas Giving Day! Joe’s tireless work at each of our events reflects his commitment to Challenge Air’s mission. His generosity helps us continue bringing joy and inspiration to countless children. Thank you, Joe, for making a lasting impact on our community!

A Memorable Night at Clink & Drink!

Last month, Challenge Air was honored to be part of Prestonwood Rotary Club's annual Clink & Drink event on October 19th at Starpower in Dallas! It was an evening filled with fantastic wine, delicious food, and great company—all for a wonderful cause. Our Board Trustees Carl, Joe, and D joined Executive Director April to celebrate the community’s support for impactful organizations like ours.