Ray Santos, Author at Above The Clouds

March 25, 2026March 28, 2026

Amazing Kick Off to the 2026 Dream Flyer Day Series

This past weekend, Above the Clouds completed its first Dream Flight Day of the 2026 season and despite a few weather-related speed bumps, the day was nothing short of extraordinary – as most Dream Flight Days are. We launched into the morning with low clouds, but in true Above the Clouds fashion, our amazing team rose to the challenge.

Our Dream Flyers, many of whom face steep climbs in life due to illness, disabilities, or personal hardships, reminded us of what resilience really looks like. They showed up ready to fly with big smiles and ready to embrace an experience that takes them far beyond the weight they carry.

And much like them, our pilots and all of our wonderful volunteers were equally resilient. They navigated delays, adjusted flight plans, and worked together seamlessly to make this final event of the season truly shine.

Through teamwork, patience, and a shared commitment to our mission, we left the turbulence behind and reached smooth skies together.

Images below are from past Dream Flight Days

December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

Flying Through Turbulence: A Powerful Finish to Our Dream Flight Season

This past weekend, Above the Clouds completed its final Dream Flight Day of the 2025 season and, despite a few weather related speed bumps, the day was nothing short of extraordinary.

We launched into the morning with low clouds, shifting forecasts, and a bit of uncertainty. But in true Above the Clouds fashion, our team rose to the challenge. Our Dream Flyers, many of whom face steep climbs in life due to illness, disabilities, or personal hardships, reminded us what resilience really looks like. They showed up ready to fly, ready to smile, and ready to embrace an experience that takes them far beyond the weight they carry.

And just like them, our pilots and volunteers were equally resilient. They navigated delays, adjusted flight plans, and worked together seamlessly to make this final event of the season truly shine. Through teamwork, patience, and a shared commitment to our mission, we left the turbulence behind and reached smooth skies together.

Below is a gallery capturing the joy, bravery, and magic of the day.

As we close out the season, we are also launching our end of year fundraising campaign. To continue offering these transformative Dream Flights, we depend on the generosity of people who believe in lifting children above the clouds and into a world of possibility.

A donation of any size gives us the tailwind we need to fly even further and higher next year.
If you’re able, please consider making a gift today to support our work in 2026 and beyond.

MAKE A GIFT TODAY!

Thank you to every pilot, volunteer, partner, and supporter who makes these moments possible. Together, we are truly helping children rise.

October 27, 2025October 27, 2025

Every Dream Flight Keeps Getting Better

This past Saturday, October 25, eight incredible children took to the skies at Norwood Memorial Airport for a day they will never forget. Each Dream Flight Day is special, but this one reminded us again why we do what we do.

With clear skies and calm air, our Dream Flyers experienced pure joy and freedom as they soared above the clouds, leaving behind worries, challenges, and limitations on the ground. Smiles, laughter, and a few happy tears filled the hangar as families watched their children’s dreams take flight.

Thank You

We are deeply grateful to the amazing pilots who made the day possible: Charles, Adam, Servet, Bob, Paul, Peter, and Cristian. Your generosity and compassion embody the heart of Above the Clouds.

To our volunteers, including flight coordinators, joy makers, photographers, and ground crew, thank you for giving your time, energy, and heart to create a day that these families will cherish forever.

Looking Ahead

Now we are gearing up for our final Dream Flight Day of the year on Saturday, December 6 (Rain Date: Sunday, December 7), a very special day dedicated to Gary and Martha Oberstein, the founders of Above the Clouds and the inspiration behind our mission to bring hope and joy to children facing adversity.

We are aiming to make this the biggest and best Dream Flight Day yet, and we would love for you to be part of it.

How You Can Help

Volunteer: Whether you are a pilot, photographer, or someone who loves helping kids smile, there is a place for you

If you’re already an ATC volunteer, sign up here.
If you’re new and want to join our team, start your application here.

Donate: Your gift helps us continue offering these life-changing experiences free of charge.
Make a donation

Spread the Word: Share our story with your friends, colleagues, and networks so more families and volunteers can discover the joy of Dream Flights.

Each Dream Flight reminds us that hope has no limits and that a single day can change a child’s outlook forever. Thank you to everyone who helps make these magical moments possible. Together, we are lifting spirits and changing lives, one flight at a time.

September 27, 2025September 30, 2025

Perfect Weather, Incredible Kids, and the Best Dream Flight Day of the Year

This past Saturday, September 27, was one for the books. With the clearest skies and smoothest air of the season, we celebrated our biggest and best Dream Flight Day of the year. Thanks to our amazing community of pilots, flight coordinators, joy makers, photographers, and ground crew, nine extraordinary children got to take to the skies for an unforgettable experience.

Over 20 volunteers joined us, each one giving their time, energy, and heart to make the day magical. A special thank-you goes out to Keith Cavella from Dunkin’ for coming out to lend a hand and support the day. Your generosity and enthusiasm helped make our families feel so welcomed.

Stories of Strength and Courage

Our Dream Flyers showed extraordinary resilience. Some were completing treatment for cancer or living with autism and communication challenges. Others faced rare genetic disorders, vision loss, or serious heart and lung conditions. A few were coping with developmental delays, anxiety, or bullying. Despite these hardships, each child left their struggles on the ground and soared with joy, confidence, and hope.

Thank You

To our pilots, volunteers, and supporters: thank you for making this day possible. Your generosity, your skills, and your spirit are what keep Above the Clouds flying. We are grateful for every hour, every smile, and every moment you share with our Dream Flyers and their families.

Join Us

We’re already looking ahead to our next Dream Flight Day on Saturday, October 25th, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

If you’re already an ATC volunteer, sign up here.

If you’re new and want to join our team, start your application here.

Together, we are bringing joy, confidence, and hope to kids who need it most. Thank you for helping dreams take flight.

August 26, 2025

Blue Skies, Smiles, and Soaring Dreams

After a stretch of tough weather, we are thrilled to finally be enjoying consistent clear skies and perfect flying conditions for our Dream Flights. This past weekend’s Dream Flight Day brought together an incredible group of kids and families, and once again our volunteers made the magic happen.

One parent shared this note after their child’s flight:

“You and your team were absolutely amazing from beginning to end. We can’t thank you enough for a once in a lifetime type experience. He was excited to fly over Ashland and see familiar things. He loved that he actually got to fly the plane. The bomber jacket and sunglasses were the cherry on top. He told his dad they are chick magnets.”
—Jamie & Brady

Moments like these are only possible because of the generosity and dedication of our volunteer pilots, flight coordinators, joy makers, photographers, and ground crew. You are the heart of Above the Clouds.

We are already preparing for our next Dream Flight Day and would love for you to join us.

If you are already an ATC volunteer, sign up here: Volunteer RSVP – Existing Volunteers
If you are new and would like to join our volunteer team, start your application here: Volunteer Application – New Volunteers

Thank you for helping us bring the joy and wonder of flight to kids who need it most. Together, we are making dreams take flight.

August 26, 2025August 26, 2025

Brady Becomes a Pilot for the Day with Above the Clouds

Ray, You and your team were absolutely amazing from beginning to end. We can’t thank you enough for a once in a life time type experience. Here are some photos from yesterday. He was excited to fly over Ashland and see familiar things. He loved that he actually got to fly the plane. The bomber jacket and sunglasses were the cherry on top, he told his dad that they are chick magnets…

Love,
Jamie and Brady

August 19, 2025August 20, 2025

Raveena Takes to the Skies

Meet Raveena, a remarkable 17-year-old with her eyes on the sky!

Raveena is passionate about aviation, aerospace, space, and engineering. She is also deeply devoted to her family, who inspire her every day with their love and resilience. Growing up in a household where American Sign Language is the language of care and connection has shaped Raveena into an exceptional scholar and an inspiring young leader.

Today, Raveena took her very first flight as an Above the Clouds Dream Flyer! Flying with volunteer pilot Nathan Griffith, professor of Aviation Sciences at Bridgewater State University, she soared in a Cessna 150, circled the Boston skyline, and even took the controls herself.

She not only logged her first minutes in a flight log, but also lifted the spirits of everyone at Above the Clouds. Raveena is a true inspiration, and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next.

Want to be part of the journey?
• Learn more or refer a child to be a Dream Flyer: www.abovethecloudskids.org
• Volunteer as a pilot or a Joy Maker: email info@abovethecloudskids.org or call 617.918.7344
• Support Above the Clouds with a donation: www.abovethecloudskids.org/donate

Together we can help more kids rise above their challenges through the wonder of flight.

“I want to thank you and everyone else who took the time to put together this spectacular program. Kendall’s participation and enthusiasm far exceeded our expectations. I was nervous that she would be overstimulated and either back out or act out. The pure amazement and joy I saw in my daughter will last a lifetime in my mind. Our pilot took so much time ensuring Kendall’s comfort and enjoyment, being sure she was at ease with the experience. Kendall loved everyone cheering for her. The entire experience from beginning to end is one we will never forget. Again, thank you to everyone!”

Kendall, Kristen, Kevin Berard

July 22, 2025July 22, 2025

Clear Skies and Full Hearts: Dream Flyers Soar with Above the Clouds

What a day! After weeks of weather delays, the skies finally cleared and our Dream Flyers took to the air for an unforgettable Saturday at Norwood Memorial Airport.

One of our favorite moments came when Cynthia Laine of the Black Autism Coalition brought her son Ryan out for a Dream Flight. Ryan brought his younger brother Kendrick along for the ride—and both boys got to experience the magic of flight thanks to Bob George, one of our longtime volunteer pilots.

Bob served in Vietnam as a Marine Corps pilot, flying 118 combat missions in A-4s and later A-6s. These days, he’s flying a different kind of mission—bringing joy and inspiration to kids in his Piper Saratoga.

We’re also grateful to Peter Storer and Dana Quinn, who each flew two Dream Flyers to make sure no child was left grounded. That’s the Above the Clouds spirit in action.

We’re already looking ahead to our next Dream Flight Day on Saturday, August 23 and we’re actively recruiting volunteer pilots, flight coordinators, photographers, joy makers, and ground crew to join the fun!

Want to volunteer?
Learn More

Know a child who could benefit from the Dream Flyer program?
Learn More

July 17, 2025July 29, 2025

Inspiring Futures: Aviation Discovery Day with Apprentice Learning

What does it take to spark a young person’s interest in aviation? Sometimes, all it takes is a day—one filled with hands-on learning, inspiring mentors, and the chance to see what’s possible.

That’s exactly what happened during our recent Aviation Discovery Day, hosted in partnership with Apprentice Learning and held at Cape Cod Community College’s School of Aviation Maintenance at Plymouth Airport.

We welcomed a group of middle school students from Boston Public Schools for an immersive day of exploration and discovery. These students didn’t just hear about aviation careers—they experienced them.

Throughout the day, students:
Learned how to weigh and balance an aircraft
Shaped and worked with sheet metal used in aircraft manufacturing
Explored drone photography and flew drones with expert guidance
Piloted flight simulators for a taste of life in the cockpit

The highlight of the day for many was a visit to Mike Goulian Aviation, where students had the chance to step into state-of-the-art flight simulators. A special thank-you goes to Ben Acker, who gave the girls in our group a truly unforgettable experience—encouraging them, answering questions, and showing them that the sky really is the limit.

We’re incredibly grateful to the many partners who made this day possible:

Cape Cod Community College, for your continued support and hospitality
Women in Aviation – Nor’Easters Chapter, for being such powerful mentors and role models
David Price, for leading engaging drone demonstrations
Mike Goulian Aviation, for giving students a glimpse into the life of a pilot
Apprentice Learning, for bringing such thoughtful, curious students to the program

This Aviation Discovery Day is part of our mission at Above the Clouds to open doors for youth—particularly those who may not otherwise have access to aviation experiences. Through programs like this, we aim to inspire the next generation of pilots, technicians, engineers, and aviation professionals.

We’ve posted a short video from the day across our Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok—check it out and feel free to share!

To learn more about our Aviation Discovery Day program or to explore partnership opportunities, contact us. Let’s keep building pathways to the skies—together.