Among the more than 300 guests at Love Field’s Frontiers of Flight Museum celebrating the 25th anniversary of Challenge Air for Kids and Friends were members of the Prestonwood Rotary Club, and they had a particularly good reason to join the festivities.
Prestonwood Rotary was the home club of Challenge Air’s founder Rick Amber, a Vietnam US Navy pilot who suffered a debilitating injury flying back from a mission during the war. Amber, who was a paraplegic because of his injury, became convinced that giving kids with special needs a chance to go up in a small airplane and “take the controls” would literally boost their self-confidence and help them realize that they had a good chance to accomplish their goals despite the unique challenges that faced them.
“Rick was my best friend, and probably the most determined guy I ever met,” said Prestonwood Rotary past president Sonny Friedman. “He had joined Prestonwood Rotary, so I knew I would be joining soon, and I’m glad I did.” Friedman went on to become a board member and organizer at Challenge Air during its early days, and the Prestonwood Rotary Club was the first Rotary Club in District 5810 to obtain a district grant to help finance the fledgling organization. They continue each year to support financially through grants, club foundation donations and volunteering for Challenge Air Fly Days.
Since its founding, Challenge Air has flown more than 27,000 children at regional airports throughout the United States, all through the efforts of volunteers – including ground crews and pilots.
The final Dallas Fly Day of 2018 is Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Ambassador Jet Center, 5435 Saturn Dr, Dallas, TX 75237.