1,000 dreams take flight

Children’s Flight 2025 Lifts a Generation – Celebrating a Decade of Impact

On 25 July 2025, Wonderboom National Airport became the launchpad for dreams, as 1,000 underprivileged children took to the skies — many for the first time — during the 10th annual Children’s Flight.

By Jarryd Sinovich

What began a decade ago as a heartfelt initiative has now flown over 5,000 young passengers, transforming a simple joyride into a movement of hope, opportunity, and inspiration.

Aviation With Purpose

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of over 100 pilots, more than 150 flights took place in a variety of aircraft, from light sport Sling planes to CemAir’s Dash 8 and even thrilling helicopter rides. Some lucky children even flew twice — a memory they’ll never forget.

Before the flights, the skies lit up with a mini airshow, featuring aerobatic legends like Tristan Eels, Nigel Hopkins, Elton Bondi, and Grant Timms, alongside an agile gyrocopter demo by Andre van Zyl and a crowd-pleasing car-versus-plane race.

Fighter pilots from the SAAF’s 85 Combat Flying School helped children safely in and out of helicopters, creating touching moments of civil-military collaboration and mentorship.

More Than a Day Out

On the ground, the day was alive with clowns, jumping castles, live music, and HOT 102.7 FM broadcasting live, while iconic airshow voice Brian Emmenis narrated the action.

The initiative, founded and driven by Felix Gosher, goes beyond aviation thrills. Children, aged 6–13, are carefully selected from charities and homes across Gauteng, with the event supported by 175 sponsors and a tireless crew of volunteers.

“We didn’t just fly — we lifted spirits, sparked hope, and reminded our youth that the sky is just the beginning.” — Event sponsor

Building Futures in Aviation

The City of Tshwane’s Tlangi Mogale and Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise emphasized the long-term vision: to open doors not just to pilot careers, but to engineering, air traffic control, and aviation tech — creating pathways to meaningful work and economic upliftment.

A Legacy of Flight and Hope

The Children’s Flight is more than an annual event — it’s a national treasure. Its sister initiative, the Elders’ Flight, recently flew 500 elderly passengers at the SAAF Mobile Deployment Wing, extending the magic across generations.

As this initiative enters its second decade, its message soars even higher: access to aviation can change lives — and every child deserves to dream above the clouds.