The Children's Flight 2025 - A Celebration of Heart and Wings
25 July 2025, Wonderboom Airport
By Willie Bodenstein
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On Friday, 25 July, I once again had the privilege of attending what has become one of South Africa's most iconic and heartwarming aviation events, The Children's Flight. Conceived and driven by Felix Gosher, this annual initiative continues to grow not only in size but in significance. Each year, I walk away more astonished by the sheer scale of effort it takes to bring this dream to life, and each time, it's even better than the last.
Felix and his dedicated team don't do this because they have to-they do it because they want to. They believe deeply and unapologetically in the mission to Fly, Feed, Love & Inspire. And inspire they do. For the 1,000 children, most of whom had never flown before, this was a day of wonder, joy, and unforgettable memories.
A Mountain of Effort, a Sky Full of Dreams
Pulling off a mission of this magnitude takes a veritable army of volunteers, sponsors, and aviation professionals. From private individuals to corporate giants, pilots to ground crew, it's an orchestra of generosity and dedication. The aviation industry and its extended family truly showed what's possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
Meet the Badger Squadron
Among the bustling crowd moved a group known as the Badger Squadron, unmistakable in their purpose. These passionate volunteers scanned the sea of children for white bangles, the sign that a child was scheduled to fly. Once found, the young passenger was joyfully escorted to Flight Ops to be included on the day's manifest. A short journey perhaps, but for each child, the beginning of something magical.
Wearing Their Hearts on Their Sleeves
Everyone involved-from pilots and ground crew to volunteers and special guests-proudly wore their event shirts, each one emblazoned with sponsor logos. This visual unity reflects the spirit of the event.
Among the many to thank, some names stand out as aviation royalty: Colonel Blokkies Joubert - Gripen Test Pilot & Head of INCOMAR, Corrie van Loggenberg - Head of ALS Lugbespuiting, Darryl Jenkins - Boeing 777 Captain, Louis Brink - Contract Pilot, Canada, Roelof de Wet - Therma Tech SA, Captain Marc Coutiade - Airlink, Thabo Fisha - Head of FlyFofa and Royal Afric. Together, they contributed over R150,000, which made helicopter operations on the day possible.
Safety, Trust and Professionalism
Behind the scenes, a well-oiled machine ensured smooth operations. The Wonderboom Airport Firefighting Team, led by Hennie Morton, stood ready for any emergencies. Their presence was not only essential, but deeply reassuring. The full team included M.N Hlathi, B.J.M. Bezuidenhout, V.C. Gabara, M. van Bosch, W.J. Wilmot, T.N. Sibiya, J. Molawa, and Ground Liaison Officer Magda Maartens.
The ground crew, in their lime-coloured vests, were not random volunteers. These were aviation-trained professionals, handpicked and nominated by pilots who trusted them. In a tightly scheduled eight-hour flying window, there is no room for error. The vests weren't just for show, they were badges of trust and competence.
Critics in the past have questioned the expense of apparel for crew and volunteers. But let's be clear: safely flying 1,000 children in one day requires a clear chain of command, visible identification, and a motivated, professional team. Safety is not where you cut corners.
Logistics and Legacy
How do you accommodate 1,000 children on an airport's tar apron? If you're part of The Children's Flight team, you simply erect a 900-square-metre party tent. Thanks again to Werner Rembold and Simply Tents, and Adèle and Marius of Container Park Bloem, this was all made possible. They were also top sponsors in 2024, when the event was hosted in Bloemfontein, a reminder that this is about relationships, connection, and shared passion.
For an event serving more than 2,000 people, sanitation and hygiene are vital. Henry Kamp and Renée Lubbe of Mobi Shower and Toilet Hire came through again, offering their services at nearly half the normal cost. The facilities were clean, efficient, and accessible-an often overlooked but crucial detail.
Commentary during the event was compliments of Capital Sounds and Brian and Elvis kept the crowd entertained and informed throughout the day.
A touching new element this year: nearly every child clutched a colouring book with an aviation theme, along with crayons and a pen, forming part of their Gift Bag. Donated by BIG, it marked the largest stationery contribution in the event's history.
And when the day was done? The memories didn't end there. Each child received a Children's Flight 2025 drawstring bag, filled with bubble wands (compliments of Captain Kyle Wool), a water bottle, and a lucky packet sponsored by Contractor Airways at Lanseria. This generous company also provided a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan for the event.
A very special thank you to Rachel Muir and the Federal Airlines Team, who pledged R35,000 toward warm blankets, gifts the children will hold tight on many chilly nights to come, as a tangible reminder of their day in the sky.
Seeing Clearly, Hearing Dreams
One unique and meaningful contribution came from Spec-Savers, who set up vision and hearing screening booths near the photo stations. For many children, this was their first-ever opportunity to test two of their most vital aviation senses.
A New Lift: Hot Air Balloons
Also new this year: the magical spectacle of hot air balloons. Courtesy of Bill Harrop's Balloon Safaris, thirty lucky children were treated to a tethered lift-off experience. The breath-like inflation and gentle ascent of the balloons captivated all. Children had to be over seven and tall enough to see out, safety first, always.
Legends of the Sky, Guardians of Joy
And then, there were the pilots, the beating heart of the event. They are the heroes who made the “Fly” in Fly, Feed, Love, Inspire possible. These men and women gave their time, their aircraft, and their hearts, asking nothing in return.
Reading the list of names is like flipping through the annals of South African aviation history. From commercial airline captains to aerobatic champions, medevac and agricultural pilots, military aviators to weekend warriors, they came together for one purpose: to serve and delight children they'd never met.
Their only reward? The joy on the children's faces and the knowledge that they were part of something these young passengers will never forget. For some, it may even be the day that plants the seed for a lifelong love of aviation.
A Day to Remember
The Children's Flight is more than an event. It is a living testament to the power of kindness, collaboration, and belief in the future.
Felix Gosher and every individual involved-whether sponsor, pilot, volunteer, or silent helper-deserve the highest praise. Because for 1,000 children on this day, the sky wasn't the limit... it was just the beginning.
Cessna 208B ZS DFK Brakpan to New Tempe for the Children's Flight 2024 3.6K
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