June 2024

Hello April,,

As the warmth of summer envelops us, we wanted to take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you—our incredible donors, dedicated volunteers, skilled pilots, and the wonderful families of our extraordinary young flyers. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm have propelled us through an inspiring first half of the year.

In the past six months, we have been privileged to host six remarkable events, where we had the joy of flying over 400 children with special needs. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our 70 amazing pilots and the tireless efforts of over 650 volunteers. Your contributions have not only made these events successful but have also created unforgettable memories for so many.

As we transition into the summer months, we encourage everyone to take some time to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the season. Whether it's a family vacation, a quiet afternoon in the garden, or simply savoring a moment of peace, we hope you have a wonderful and restful summer.

Looking ahead, we are already gearing up for an exciting fall. We have four events planned, and we are eagerly preparing to bring more smiles and flight experiences to our brave young participants. We will be reaching out for support as these dates approach, and we know we can count on your continued involvement and generosity.

Thank you once again for being an integral part of the Challenge Air community. Your passion and commitment enable us to soar to new heights and touch the lives of so many children and their families.

Wishing you a summer filled with joy and relaxation,



With much appreciation,

April Culver

CEO/ Executive Director

Upcoming Events

Get Ready to Take Flight!

We've got an exciting fall lineup of fly days coming up. Mark your calendars.

📍 Sept 7th- Kansas City, MO



📍 Sept 14th - Denver, CO

📍 Oct 12th - Tulsa, OK

Highlights from Spokane, WA

Relive the magic! Check out the latest video recaps to see all the high-flying smiles from recent Fly Days.

Raising Paddles and Funds in Kansas City!

Join us for a pickleball tournament to support Challenge Air for Kids and Friends on Saturday, July 20th.

This event is at Chicken N Pickle in Kansas City (1761 Burlington St, North, Kansas City, MO 64116) from 10 -1pm on Saturday, July 20th.

*20 teams available $75/person, $150/team

*Each player can expect to play 3 games each

*1 1/2 hour round- robin; 1st and 2nd placement/ door prizes

Contact Chris Kirk with questions (816) 729-0846 or April Culver (214) 351-3353.

REGISTER VIA THE LINK BELOW BEFORE JULY 10th. ⬇️

Trustee Kris Lonberg Takes to the Skies in a Spitfire!

I was the fortunate one to win the auction last year for two crew members on a DC 3 flying in formation over the Channel in the D Day reenactment for the 80th anniversary. Unfortunately, the DC 3 didn’t make it, so I was given a ride in a two ship Spitfire formation from Duxford to the white cliffs of Dover. What a fantastic ride! Several rolls and a loop in formation were included. It really helped me appreciate what many of our WWII veterans went through. 

Thanks to John Sessions, Challenge Air Board member, for his very generous donation!

Spotlight on Spokane Lions Club

Talk about going above and beyond! We want to give a huge shout-out and thanks to the Spokane Lions Club for being our amazing Event Sponsor for the past four years. Your active involvement in raising funds, recruiting volunteers, engaging participants, and securing activities for the kids has been instrumental to our event’s success. Your dedication and commitment play a crucial role in making everything possible. We truly couldn't do it without you. Thank you for being such an essential part of our Challenge Air family!

Remembering Bill Wayne King, Jr.:

A Beloved Volunteer/Aviator for Challenge Air

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Bill Wayne King, Jr.'s passing on May 19th. Billy was a beloved member of the Challenge Air family, volunteering his time and piloting skills for many years in his Cessna Skymaster (N338TL) over the Chattanooga skies.

The founder of King Industries in 1987, Billy was a well-respected business owner and community leader. A loving husband, father and grandfather, his warm spirit and generous heart touched so many lives. He loved nothing more than flying and sharing his passion for aviation with others.

We are immensely grateful for the cherished memories Billy created with Challenge Air over the years. He left an incredible legacy that will continue to inspire us all. Our sincerest condolences go out to Billy's wife, children, grandchildren and entire family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in celebrating the remarkable life he lived.

Until we fly together again, blue skies and godspeed, Billy. You will forever remain in our Challenge Air hearts.