Funflight To Soar Australia-wide

Last year’s event saw 43 light aircraft with 130 children and their families taking off from Moorabbin Airport near Melbourne, affording the seriously ill children and their families a birds-eye view of Port Phillip Bay in Victoria.

The FunFlight ’07 kids and crew then had a stop-over at Tyabb Airport, where the Peninsula Aero Club supplied lunch, after which they were treated to a display of World War 2 warbirds, followed by parachutists and an aerobatics display by one of Australia’s top airshow performers, Pip Borman. A petting zoo and jumping castle were also provided for the kids.

The experience was fantastic, especially for seven year old Cheyenne Webb.

Diagnosed with Cat eye syndrome, a debilitating chromosomal disorder, Cheyenne has spent much of her young life visiting hospitals. A bright and bubbly little girl, Cheyenne said she loved being involved in the FunFlight event in Melbourne, and her Mum, Leanne, concurred that it was amazing to be involved in the experience.

Cheyenne’s pilot for the day, Phil Keen, was “really nice” and “smiled a lot” during the flights. “I could see lots of water and birds and a boat, I had never seen anything from that high before,” she said.

Event founder Michel Verheem said the concept came about through the Landmark Education Self Expression and Leadership Program and where all participants create a community event.

“It started out as a group of friends with five or so aircraft organising a joy flight for perhaps 15 kids. Then the Peninsula Aero Club, Moorabbin Airport, the Royal Victorian Aero Club and Angel Flight got involved and before we knew it, it has mushroomed to what it is today: 43 aircraft and 130 participants,” he said.

“FunFlight typifies community, everyone pitching in and having a great day.

It’s about bringing everyone together, a celebration of doing something for others; but most of all, it’s about the smiles on the faces of the children. ” “By the end of the inaugural FunFlight, the participants didn’t want to go home, the experience truly memorable especially to those usually confined to beds and hospitals,” Verheem said.

“Their smiles were only matched by those of the pilots and volunteers who had shared their day, while the presence of news crews from Channels Seven and Nine and seeing themselves back on TV was another highlight for the kids. ” The sponsors and supporters for the FunFlight 07 event included the Victorian Police Air Wing, Air BP, Redback Marine, Peninsular Aero Club and Royal Victorian Aero Club, who generously donated time, sponsorship, fuel and aircraft time.

With the help of pilots and other volunteers, FunFlight has delighted many seriously ill children like Cheyenne from the Starlight Children’s Foundation and their families.

This year’s event promises to be even better, with the FunFlight experience rolling out nationally.

This year FunFlight will organise the event in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Townsville on November 9.

Although not confirmed at the time of writing, there is a possibility that the event may also take off in New Zealand if there is enough support.

For the 2008 event, FunFlight is looking for aero clubs to get involved with the local organisation and for regional pilots to collect children living in rural areas and soar back to the FunFlight fun.

As well as being a great experience for the kids, FunFlight 08 will also raise funds for organisations including Starlight Children’s Foundation, CanTeen and Angel Flight. Funds will also go to other local charities chosen by local aero clubs.

Cheyenne said she was “really excited” about this year’s FunFlight, because she and her family had such a great day last year.

For further information regarding this year’s event, to be held on November 9, or to get involved in your local FunFlight ’08, visit www.

funflight. org. o Australian Aviation is proud to support FunFlight 08 and we encourage our readers to get involved.