Has my little guy have a flying surprise coming up

[RV Sometime]

We flew a pretty tight formo flight, this one is en route to Rand.

[RV Sometime]

I enjoyed flying below the 6 as well

[RV Sometime]

We accepted the land behind the departing aircraft. Moira Beckley had kindly given us the use of her facilities at Sky Raiders absolutely free of charge for the hosting of the orphans day, what a wonderful gesture from a woman who has just lost her husband when the engine of his Stearman broke off in Tzaneen recently.

[RV Sometime]

This pic was taken after we had finished taking every single orphan flying. There were approximately 10 aircraft donated to the cause which was run, as it is always by Michelle Bennetts. There were approximately 100 orphans there. It was a really special occasion especially to feel the excitement of these lovely children. For 99% of the children, it was the first experience of flight. We have done this for a few years now & I anticipate that there are a few pilots emerging from this experience.

[RV Sometime]

We also were treated with an awesome display from Ian Billings & Brad Bennets from the zoom zoom team.

My kids were little stars, my daughter helped with the small kids, decorating their gingerbread men & my son made up their xmas boxes & christmas crackers. My children were very humbled by the experience & we had a long philosophical chat later when the Q&A scenario emerged. It is very difficult for children to grasp that there are other children who do not even have a mom & dad.

[RV Sometime]

Too soon it was all over & my little guy sat right hand seat back to Central. He did not fly much because we flew formo again with the 6, but he enjoyed it. My daughter commented that she preferred the 210 to the Kingair Imagine how much she is going to enjoy flying trikes with me

[Wart]

Well done to all of you involved in the orphans day. I am sure that you made their year with the flying.

As for your son, you can see and feel the concentration as he was flying. Another memory etched for ever of a special time with his Dad; well done!

[AndyG]

RV Sometimes,

What an awesome story. Your kids look like they had the best weekend ever.

Also what you guys do for the orphans is downright humbling. Thank you and I take my hat off to you and all those involved.



Cheers,

[slysi]

Bravo Andre.......

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Bravo Andre.......

Just about says it all

[RV Sometime]

Thanks guys, 2 years ago, my circumstances were different, I personally donated 10 refurbished electric wheelchairs to the orphanage & Goga organised a R40k donation from Mary Stevens from the CAA & a brand new state of the art electric wheelchair was purchased for a cerebrally palsied child by the name of Xolile. I am humbled by the gratitude these children have.

I am involved with Rainbow Airbridge Trust too & my haven is Christina Kiddies Orphanage. They are based in Kimberly, Bad Nav must know them. Freda Meirings runs the ops there. I have not been able to help recently because of my circumstances, but I will be back in the new year after things are sorted out. The reward you get is the absolute love these children give you for what you do. I unashamedly copied about 40 dvds from my childrens collection & donated a dvd player to the orphanage & Freda tells me that they are well used now.

When we get away from the mediocrity of our lives & give to causes, life becomes extremely rewarding & humbling. I have made hundreds of friends through this aspect of aviation.

However, enough of the ramblings, I would love to see further photos & stories about what we as fellow aviators have experienced with children, please bring them on.

[RV Sometime]

That's what it is all about ... making those eyes light up and the grin extending from ear to ear.

My 12 year old had a similar experience in a Zlin 526F doing the full aerobatic experience too - he was stoked!

Well done RV

Hey Sox, do you own the 526, I knew the aerie well cos I was in the same hangar & chatted at length to the ame who was working on her at the time a few years back, lovely aerie. LON if my memory serves me correctly.

He wishes he owned it [/quote]

RV ... I'm in the fortunate position to know one of the owners very well, so when he is back from doing airline shifts and wants some stick time he usually phones me up and I jump in with my camera. She is really great aerie.

Hi Sox

I have the feeling I know you, did you do plenty of work on the zlin in about 2005. I met a guy who was working on her in hangar 4 at rand whose name was Mark & he owns a stand close to my spot in Kenton.

Slysi ... just because you have to ask your boss for time off is the reason you haven't cracked the nod![/quote]

[Sox]

Hi Sox

I have the feeling I know you, did you do plenty of work on the zlin in about 2005. I met a guy who was working on her in hangar 4 at rand whose name was Mark & he owns a stand close to my spot in Kenton.

Andre ... not me, but let's have a beer sometime anyway!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Well done to all who participated. Sorry I could not be there...

[Dre'man55]

Awesome pics and story, thanks.