On Sunday the 13th of November 2011 the Royal Newcastle Aero Club at Rutherford participated in a national program for the Canteen and Cystic Fibrosis foundations to provide a day of fun flights for kids facing challenges in life.

The day dawned with clouds overhead and a forecast for things to get a little bumpy during the day. 40 kids gathered to share the joy of flying and 15 volunteer pilots took to the air in a selection of RNAC and privately owned aircraft.

On arrival the kids and their families were introduced to the friendly volunteers and staff who would look after them, some took advantage of the face painting provided by Shazz in her busy bee suit before receiving their personal boarding pass.

Once all the checks were done the kids and their families were escorted to their waiting aircraft where departing happy snaps were taken before everyone climbed on board, strapped in and took to the skies. The flights took them over Mt Sugarloaf and down to Swansea before making a left hand turn for a ride up the coast at 1500 feet for a spectacular view of the beaches of Newcastle before turning left again at Merewether beach and heading for home.

It was the looks of joy and great excitement on arrival back at Maitland which greeted the volunteer staff. At times we don't know who was more excited the children or the parents! On arrival back at Maitland a sizzling BBQ was on hand to feed hungry tummy's and to share stories of their flying adventures.

To see the happy faces and hear the excited conversation of these children and their families who have had to deal with significant challenges was a reminder to us who take to the skies regularly for the pure enjoyment of flying how fortunate we are to enjoy this privilege and what we can share at times like this that can bring this joy to others. 

RNAC will definitely be putting it's hand up to support the Flying Fun Day in 2012 and to see the smiling faces of the kids who have experienced the wonder of flying.