On Saturday, April 1st, Challenge Air Board of Trustee member and RERC Past President, “D” Schieferstein, along with his wife Susan, a college friend of theirs, our President Rick Kimball and his son in-law, and our own Gavin Nichols and his daughter were on hand to volunteer at the Challenge Air Fly Day at the Mesquite Airport.
Over eighty special needs “co-pilots” signed up to take to the air and take advantage of a special opportunity to find courage within themselves, building self-esteem. They are referred to as co-pilots as the pilot allows the child a chance to take control of the aircraft and fly the plane.
Twelve pilots donated their airplanes, fuel and time on Saturday to help change the perception of those, between the ages of seven to twenty-one, with special needs. Challenge Air has been changing the lives of children, through the gift flight, since 1993. With a network of over 3,500 volunteers nationwide, they continue to grow through events called Fly Days.