January 2026

Greetings!

As we welcome a new year, we’re excited to kick off 2026 with our first Fly Day in Ft. Lauderdale on January 31 at Banyan Air. January is a time for fresh beginnings, and there’s no better way to start the year than by bringing the joy of flight to children and youth with special needs. Thanks to the unwavering support of our families, pilots, volunteers, sponsors, and donors, Challenge Air is ready to soar into another year of building confidence, creating smiles, and changing lives—one flight at a time.



For the Kids,

April Culver

CEO/ Executive Director

Get Ready to Take Flight!

We’re ready to take flight into a brand-new year of unforgettable Fly Days with Challenge Air! ✈️💙

Registration is officially open, and we can’t wait to welcome families, volunteers, and pilots back for another incredible season. This year brings a new city, new faces, and even more opportunities to help children with special needs experience courage, confidence, and pure joy—right from the cockpit.

Upcoming Fly Days:

• Fort Lauderdale — 1/31 (closed to participants)

• Dallas — 3/21

• Frederick, MD — 4/11

• Chattanooga — 5/2

Spots fill quickly—tap below to register now!

Quick update for our Fort Lauderdale Fly Day!

There’s been a slight change to the event address, but no worries—it’s still hosted by Banyan North.

If you’re already registered, keep an eye on your inbox—you’ll receive an email soon with all the updated location details and everything you need to know for the upcoming event. We can’t wait to fly with you!

Challenge Air Pilot Tony Watson Honored with Prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

We’re proud to celebrate Challenge Air pilot Tony Watson, who has been awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by the FAA. This distinguished honor recognizes pilots with 50 or more years of safe flying and a lifelong commitment to professionalism and aviation excellence. Named after aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, the award reflects Tony’s decades of skill, integrity, and dedication to the skies—and we’re grateful to have him as part of the Challenge Air family. ✈️💙

JSX Ticket Voucher Giveaway Winner Announced!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our JSX ticket voucher giveaway and helped support the Challenge Air mission. Thanks to your generosity, we raised almost $10,000 to support fly days! We’re excited to officially announce that David & Charlotte Echols were the winners of two round-trip tickets on JSX—congratulations, David & Charlotte!

Your enthusiasm and generosity help continue creating life-changing experiences for children with special needs. Stay tuned for more giveaways, events, and upcoming Fly Days as we keep the mission alive.

Turn Your Next Event Into an

Unforgettable Experience

Got an upcoming event?

Bring in a speaker who doesn’t just talk—but inspires, connects, and leaves your audience buzzing long after the applause.

Challenge Air speakers share powerful stories of inclusion, confidence, and what’s possible when kids with special needs get a chance to soar.

Let’s make your next event unforgettable.

Request a Challenge Air speaker today.