FunFlight takes flight this weekend

The 2011 FunFlight Australia charity event for seriously ill and disadvantaged children is being staged at aero clubs around the country this Sunday.

As part of this year’s staging of the noble annual event, on Sunday November 13 FunFlight organisers expect more than 1500 passengers (kids, together with their families) to have the ‘Flight of their Life’ from 12 airports across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The events will include free joy flights and aviation-based entertainment for children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience them.

The aero clubs and organisations hosting FunFlight days this year are:

- Tyabb - Peninsula Aero Club
- Lilydale - Lilydale Airport
- Traralgon - Latrobe Valley Aero Club
- Barwon Heads - Barwon Heads Aero Club
- Horsham - Horsham Aero Club
- Echuca - Echuca Aero Club
- Bendigo - Bendigo Flying Club
- Canberra - Canberra Aero Club
- Bankstown – Schofields Flying Club
- Newcastle - Royal Newcastle Aero Club
- Townsville - Townsville Flyers Incorporated
- RAAF Base Amberley
- Goolwa - Aldinga Aero Club & Goolwa Airport

FunFlight Australia is a volunteer organisation that offers children touched by life changing illnesses and disadvantage the opportunity to go flying and experience the wonders of aviation. Trained pilots from all over Australia volunteer their time and aircraft to provide sightseeing flights that give children a memorable and life changing experience.

“The only thing more heart-warming than seeing the excitement on the faces of these kids as they meet the pilots, and take off, is when they come back – they just cant stop smiling,” FunFlight Australia Founder Michel Verheem said. “Giving these children and their families a day away from their normal routines lifts their spirit.”

Verheem praises the many volunteers – pilots, aero clubs and sponsors – who make the event possible, many of whom have had a long and ongoing assocation with FunFlight.

“The generosity of the host aero clubs, their volunteer pilots and our sponsors is so important,” he explained. “Without it, the opportunity to offer the flights would not be possible.”

Verheem adds that the organisation is always on the lookout for corporate sponsors and/or ogranisations that can offer their assistance – financially or through services/equipment – to help in ensuring FunFlight is able to remain an annual affair.

While most host aero clubs and organisations will already have registered their volunteer pilots for this year’s FunFlight, pilots who are not already registered are nonetheless invited to come along to a FunFlight event near them to get involved.

And whether you plan on attending this year or not, donations to this very worthy cause can be made year-round by visiting the FunFlight Australia website. And while you’re there, Verheem invites all pilots and aero clubs to register their services for FunFlight 2012.

CAPTION: Will your aero club be proudly displaying one of these banners on Sunday? If not, visit www.funflight.org now and get involved.