At one point, the annual aviation Children’s Flight event was at risk of being shelved because of Covid-19.

Felix Gosher, an organiser of the event for vulnerable children, said, “In 2016 we flew 125 children, in 2017 we flew 400 children, in 2018 we flew 1,000 children over a period of two days and in 2019 we flew 300 children due to weather restrictions.

South African flags fly high as skydivers drop in for the opening act for the day. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)

“But this year, it looked like the event was going to be skipped due to Covid. We reduced the amount of children flying to 30. On the plus side, this meant that there was a bond created between the child and the pilot as they enjoyed a personal flight. We made use of two-seater airplanes instead of the usual eight- to 15-seaters.”

A child returns from having his first flight. The children attended a pre-event briefing at the Wonderboom Airport where they were prepared for the first flight of their lives. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)

Arranged by commercial pilots and executives of the Civil Aviation Authority, the day was exhilarating. The kids were treated to a parachute display and acrobatics from the Flying Lions. Twenty pilots volunteered their time to make it a memorable experience for the children. They included some of our country’s most experienced flyers — top air show and aerobatic pilots as well as SAA captains, glider pilots, helicopter pilots and members of the South African Air Force.

Children watch the planes fly by from the viewing area. It was a day filled with exhilaration as they were treated to a parachute display and aerobatics from the Flying Lions. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)

The youngsters, aged between eight and 16, included orphans, cancer patients, survivors of domestic violence and child abuse and fire survivors. They attended a pre-event briefing at the Wonderboom Airport where they were prepared for the first flight of their lives. The children were also afforded the opportunity to sit in an aircraft and become acquainted with the immediate surroundings of the cockpit.

Children watch the Flying Lions perform an aerobatic display. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)

The NGOs involved were:

• Children of Fire;
• CANSA;
• Munsieville Pango Camp;
• Mothutlong Network against domestic violence and child abuse;
• Bana Ba Kgosi Children’s Centre;
• The Character company;
• Lumin Foundation; and
• iKhaya da Luz.

A child communicates with pilots from the Flying Lions aerobatic squad via a two-way radio where he thanked the pilots for the display. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)

The children could not contain their excitement after their flights

Liam Nel, 13, from Krugersdorp, described his experience as a lot of fun. “We went up, we went where I wanted to go. We played in the clouds with the airplane. I almost passed out when the plane went upside down… I will definitely do it again. I will do it a thousand times again.”

A child and the pilot wave moments before taking off. The number of flights was fewer this year compared with previous years which afforded children an opportunity to bond with their pilots. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)

Omphile Moima, 11 from Radiokop, Johannesburg, who is adamant that he will be a pilot one day, spoke about the novelty of the trip. “It was really scary, but fun in the end.”

Pilot Erin Ormandy, 21, who has her private pilot’s licence with a night rating and is now working towards her commercial licence, volunteered her time to put smiles on the children’s faces.

Said Ormandy: “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the children with illuminating smiles after their first taste of aviation. Hopefully, today is a lifelong memory which they will cherish forever and perhaps even decide to pursue a career in aviation in the future.” DM