Flight1 aims to help children like Alisa, Rebecca, and Emily cope when they’re afflicted with, or affected by, serious illness. The joy and wonder of aviation always seem to fascinate kids, and our Courageous Fliers gain immeasurable self-confidence from learning they can actually fly an airplane.
But can one confidence-building moment really make a difference for a lifetime?
For Susan Kilrain, it did. A child of the “women belong in the kitchen” 1960s, she once said, “I thought my father would not support me in being a pilot. I can remember asking him, ‘What would you think if I told you I wanted to be a pilot when I grew up?’ expecting him to say no or disagree. He said, ‘I think that would be fantastic.’ Had he not said those words, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
What did happen to Susan was that she grew up to fly Navy jets and pilot the shuttle Columbia on two trips into space. That’s the launch of one of her missions, STS-83, at left.
After Alisa, Rebecca, and Emily earned their Flight1 wings, their mother wrote, “It is so nice to know that there are so many opportunities for them.” Thanks to our supporters, these three young ladies will be that much better prepared to take advantage of those opportunities.
The joy and confidence our Courageous Fliers experience are gifts that will last a lifetime, and you can help give them. The full amount of your contribution to Flight1, a 501(c)(3) charity recognized by GuideStar, goes towards program costs. Please take this chance to contribute or explore our volunteer opportunities today.
– Russell Goutierez
Photographs: Steven Fleenor; spacefacts.de
