Announcements

Since Mother’s Day is celebrated this month, we wanted to feature the Dream Flight Day experience of one of the mother’s of a past Dream Flyer. Elyse accompanied her daughter, Samantha, last June for her Dream Flight Day. This was Elyse’s experience.

1. Describe your Dream Flight Day experience with your child

Our Dream Flight Day was incredible, from the preplanning to the arrival to the preflight planning to the actual flight to the after snack and gift giving! Before we came, the Coordinator told us to call 5 minutes out so that they could be sure to be waiting outside for us. When we arrived, there were 3 people there to greet us with great big signs for Samantha. That made Samantha feel that she was a Superstar for the Day. Our Pilot Bill and our Flight Attendant Josh were incredibly patient and kind. Samantha flew to Scituate then over to Foxboro for a bird’s eye view of Gillette Stadium. She loved taking the wheel for about 8 minutes or so. We got some amazing photos both on the tarmac and in the air.

2. What is something you would say to another mother who hasn’t been to a Dream Flight Day yet with their child?

Above the Clouds invites you to celebrate National Poetry month! As we await clearance to take to the skies, lets get creative in using poetry to share ATC’s special brand of joy and hope! Throughout the month of April, we welcome your stories, poems, and messages of hope in text, art, video, music, and, of course, rap. Below is one of our favorite poems titled “In the Air” from an ATC Dream Flyer. Nick flew with us in 2013 and is currently a computer science major at Westfield State.

“In the air, I am free. In the air, there is much more to see.
On the ground, I am bound. As I look up, people look down.
Dream Flight. Is it the dream of flight, or the flight of a dream?
From where I sat, the sky appeared gray and foreboding.
Perhaps my freedom should be postponed for another day?
The sky, like life, is not always what is seems;
We pushed on through the clouds and greeted the sun’s shining beams.
Mind racing, hands trembling, I traded wheels for wings.
Bumping, jerking, vibrating disappeared with the gentle pressure of
overcoming Earth’s gravity.
The racing of the engine echoed the racing of my heart, both straining to escape
their confines.
The barriers, the challenges, the ridicule, the pain melted away as the journey
began.
All the stairs, all the difficulty, it would disappear.
The controls in hand, I became the master of my movements, the ruler of my
rambling. Apprehension turned to delight, and then to serenity as we sliced
through clouds and pierced sunbeams.
In the air, I can see the world
On the ground, I can only see my town.
In the air, I can go anywhere.
On the ground, I can’t go there.
In the air, there’s not a care.
On the ground, there’s no one around.
In the air, I am free.
In the air, I am ME”

—Nicholas Coleman

Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week is a global aviation awareness week for girls of all ages observed to mark the anniversary of the world’s first female pilot license (March 8, 1910). The week is a call to address gender imbalance in the air and space industry. Therefore, in honor of this, we wanted to highlight a female pilot who year after year does so much to support Above the Clouds. Thank you for all that you do and for being an inspiration to so many young females.

1. Where are you from?

          I was born and raised in Connecticut. However, I have also lived in Nevada and now Massachusetts.

2. How did you hear about ATC?

          I learned about Above the Clouds through a mutual friend. I was on a trip in Florida and began discussing where I was from, my work and other interests. After bringing up my passion for volunteerism, my friend mentioned the wonderful work that was being done right in my own back yard. I emailed Martha and Gary the next day to see how I could become involved.

3. What is something most people don’t know about you?

         Before realizing that a career as a  pilot was an achievable goal, I wanted to be a sports broadcaster for ESPN. To this day I am a passionate sports fan and enjoy playing golf and skiing.

4. What do you love about flying?

        Flying offers a sensation of freedom that you can’t get anywhere else. No matter how many times I take off, the ability to look out the window and see the world move by from above brings me absolute joy.

5. How long have you been a pilot?

        I began taking flying lessons in 2012 as a freshman in college. I have been flying professionally since 2014 and am excited for the long career ahead. (Only 40 short years until retirement)

6. What made you want to become a pilot?

        I have always loved airplanes, trucks, trains, really anything with a loud engine that moved. In high school, while researching career options, I came to the realization that this love really hadn’t faded. Embarrassing at the time? Yes. However I soon realized that I was only a few short years away from turning this passion into a career. I have been enjoying the ride ever since.

7. How do you think ATC is changing lives?

       With so much negativity in the world today, it is refreshing to see how a small group of people can come together to create so much joy. I could never have anticipated the amount of love that ATC and its volunteers provide to those in need. I have seen first hand how a smile and simple conversation can turn a child’s day into one that he or she will never forget.

8. Is there something I haven’t asked you that you would like to say about ATC?

       I am passionate about aviation and helping others. However, I truly did not understand the impact that the work ATC would have on the children. ATC is made up of an incredible group of leaders, mentors and volunteers and I am excited to be a part of it.

9. Describe ATC in one word

       Joy

1. Where are you from?

Canton, MA

2. What is something that most people don’t know about you?

Sports is my second passion besides aviation.

3. What do you love about volunteering?

I love seeing the smiles on the dream flyers face when they step off the aircraft , it’s truly priceless. It feels good to make a difference in a kid’s life who is going thru a rough time.

4. How did you hear about ATC?

I heard about ATC through my town paper The Canton Citizen.

5. What made you want to become a volunteer for ATC?

When I was a student at Canton High School , we were required to complete 80 hours of community service. I was searching and searching for something aviation related for community service and couldn’t find anything . Then I saw the ATC article in my town paper. I went on the ATC website and watched the 10 minute video that gives a summary of ATC and was blown away. I then emailed Martha, went in to meet her and then was invited to my first Dream Flight Day.

6. How long have you been involved with ATC?

4 years.

7. What is your most memorable experience with ATC?

My most memorable experience with Above The Clouds was actually recently when I was flight coordinator for a kid named Binh. Binh was very energetic from the moment I met him. He was an aviation enthusiast and reminded me of myself when I was younger. I was talking to Binh’s Dad and Binh had the chance to sit in the cockpit of the A380 (the world’s largest jet) and talk to the pilots, something I always dreamt of having the opportunity to do. Binh also sits at home watching videos of airplanes on YouTube just like I did when I was little. When Binh got off the plane after his dream flight he was so happy . I think that day inspired him and made his love and passion for aviation even more deep and I’m glad I was able to take part and deepen that passion for aviation for Binh.

8. How do you think ATC is changing lives?

I think Above The Clouds is changing so many kids lives through the power of aviation. Above The Clouds is able to provide joy for kids who have been through so much and to just get their mind off of what’s going on in their life outside Norwood airport for a couple hours is awesome . Beyond that , Above The Clouds inspires some kids like, “Wow I just flew a plane, if I can do that I can do anything!” The “I can do anything I put mind to” attitude is something that I think we need more of in this world and I think Above The Clouds is helping instill this into kids minds.

9. Is there something I haven’t ask you that you would like to say about ATC?

Above The Clouds is going places , this organization is truly something special.

10. Describe ATC in one word.

Inspirational.

As Above the Clouds hosts its annual Big Sister / Little Sister Dream Flight Day this month, we salute and honor the life of Geraldyn “Jerrie” Cobb, a pioneer in aviation. Jerrie recently died at age 88 at her Florida home after a lifetime of aviation achievement; advocacy for women pilots in the space program; and after devoting 50 years to using her aviation skills for humanitarian missions.

Jerrie began her flying lessons at age 12, earned her private pilot certificate at age 16, and her commercial pilot license at 18.  At 21, while working in a clerical job at Miami International Airport, Jerrie applied for a pilot’s job to deliver surplus military planes around the world.  After initially being dismissed as a “girl wanna be pilot”, Jerrie opened her log book documenting more than 3,000 hours of flying time.  The next day she began flying World War II aircraft overseas.

Jerrie was the first woman to fly in the Paris Air Show, one of the first female aviation executives, and eventually earned the Amelia Earhart Gold Medal of Achievement, the Amelia Earhart Memorial Award and Woman of the Year in Aviation.  At age 28 Jerrie was the first woman to enter NASA’s astronaut testing program and was on track to be one of the United States’ first astronauts as a member of “The Mercury 13” female aviators group.  In spite of the Mercury 13’s intensive training, testing, and otherwise qualifying, in 1962 a Congressional Subcommittee voted to exclude women, based on gender, from participating as astronauts.

Not to be deterred from flying, Jerrie devoted the next several decades to flying in humanitarian missions, delivering lifesaving supplies and assistance to indigenous tribes in the Amazon.  And throughout her life, Jerrie continued to advocate for women’s equality in aviation.  In 1999 she, along with several of the original “Mercury 13”, sat in VIP seats at the launch of Eileen Collins, NASA’s first female shuttle commander, 37 years after the Congressional Committee had denied trained and qualified women the right to serve as astronauts.

Jerrie has been honored by several South American countries for her humanitarian work; has received the the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for “Humanitarian Contributions to Modern Aviation”; is enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame; and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1981.  Jerrie wrote two books about her life: Woman Into Space, with Jane Rieker, and Jerrie Cobb, Solo Pilot.

As we fly Above the Clouds, let us honor Jerrie Cobb as a trailblazer who inspired generations of men and women throughout the aviation and philanthropic communities, and helped chart the course for female aviators.

* * * * *

At Above the Clouds we believe in the positive transformative impact of aviation, and through our programs we inspire joy and hope in children and teens to help them reach for the stars in their own lives.  Along with our Dream Flyers Program, Above the Clouds offers two extended programs designed to nurture a sense of hope and possibility for a bright future in teens.

The Discovery Flyers Program is a one-to-one mentoring program that introduces teenagers to aviation and enables them to develop a lasting friendship with a caring, volunteer Discovery Pilot. Discovery Flyers have the opportunity to fly in the co-pilot’s seat with their mentor on a monthly basis. The Flyers learn about aviation, and they experience the self-esteem that results from a supportive relationship with a trusted, committed adult. The Discovery Flyers Program has served 25 youth since its establishment in 2015 and will serve 15 teens this year.

The Cadet Flyers Program gives a small number of teens the amazing opportunity to take flying lessons at no cost, and eventually to pilot an airplane by themselves – solo flying! This program, which has served ten teenagers thus far, gives low-income, at-risk youth a life-changing opportunity they never could have imagined for themselves, and it motivates them to focus, stay in school, and follow a path toward a better future. One of our Cadet Flyers was recently accepted into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as the Aviation Science Program at Bridgewater State University.  Another of our Cadet Flyers has completed his commercial rating and will be graduating soon from St. Louis University.

Flying in the copilot seat and seeing the world from a new perspective helps Above the Clouds’ kids see that the world is wide with possibility.  As flying first ignited a passion in Jerrie Cobb 75 years ago, our Discovery Flyers and Cadet Flyers Programs work to infuse each teen with the skills and confidence to chart his or her own course for a positive future.

Many thanks to our volunteer squadron of pilots, volunteers, and donors for all you do to help Above the Clouds continue to bring joy and hope through the wonder of flight.

Learn more about the Discovery Flyers Program here: https://abovethecloudskids.org/discovery-flyers/

Learn more about the Cadet Flyers Program here: https://abovethecloudskids.org/about-cadet-flyers/

1. Where are you from?

      I am from Wisconsin and most of my family is here. I have lived in several other states however following career opportunities

2. How did you hear about ATC?

      I heard about ATC from googling on the internet! I believe I googled “flying kids from disadvantaged backgrounds” and ATC was the only thing that came up! I have been following ATC ever since.

3. What is something most people don’t know about you?

     I was going to business school after college, but instead decided to enlist in the Marine Reserve. No regrets. My initial aspiration in aviation was to be a flight attendant. In elementary school, that was my “what I want to be when I grow up” goal

4. What do you love about flying?

    I love the beauty, joy and freedom of flying as well as the feeling of being totally immersed and present in the moment when I’m in an airplane.

5. How long have you been a pilot?

   I have been flying since 1979. The joys of getting old!

6. What made you want to become a pilot?

   I was introduced to flying by a friend/boyfriend who was flying charter in the Madison area. He took me flying several times and I completely fell in love with it. When I told him that I was thinking of flying as a career, he told me “girls can’t be pilots”. Well, that settled it.

7. What are you most excited about by bringing ATC to Madison, WI?

   Bringing ATC to Madison is so exciting to me because it is such a beautiful way to bring community together around children to introduce them to new possibilities.

8. How do you think ATC is changing lives?

  I am very much looking forward to seeing how ATC changes lives! I am sure that the joy and perspective flying brings will make lifelong memories. I also love how ATC celebrates each individual child, some of whom may have never had that experience.

9. Is there something I haven’t asked you that you would like to say about ATC?

  I am so pleased to be part of such a unique program that fills such a need for lifting up children while bringing communities together.

10. Describe ATC in one word

   Hope.

1. Where are you from?

    Canton Massachusetts; currently reside in Attleboro.

2. What is something that most people don’t know about you?

    Learning and academics have always been SO hard for me. I practically failed out of high school with no academic support (IEP’s, etc.) And yet here I am finishing my Master’s degree and volunteering for a great organization.

3. What do you love about volunteering?

    Meeting new people and hearing their backgrounds and learning new things. But most importantly, putting a smile on these kiddos’ faces!

4. How did you hear about ATC?

    Tara and Mike invited my friend Justine to join. When I caught wind, I asked to try it out for a day. Next thing you know I’m kind of hooked!

5. What made you want to become a volunteer for ATC?

    I was struggling with some depression and I wanted to do something that would not only help myself but others. ATC helped put my life into perspective and “not sweat the small stuff.”

6. How long have you been involved with ATC?

    I became involved in the summer of 2018.

7. Do you remember your first time volunteering for ATC? How was it?

    Yes, it was great. I was nervous about making too much of a commitment at first. But then, I remember taking photographs of the children and only thinking, “I wish I could have more responsibility and more involvement.” (when I told Tara this — BOOM–, the next thing I knew I was a flight coordinator!)

8. What is your most memorable experience with ATC?

    This past weekend I was able to work with a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am currently a Behavior Therapist in Newton Public Schools. I am finishing up my Master’s degree specializing in Autism. It was great taking what I know and applying it to such a special organization. I was able to create a social story to help the children further understand what to expect on their flight day. My child this weekend was BEYOND excited and thrilled to be on an airplane. Words will never be able to describe what that looks like.  You must experience it for yourself. 

9. How do you think ATC is changing lives?

    Many children at ATC have experienced challenges and struggles that are beyond describable. ATC provides them a day to let go of those negative emotions and feelings and allow them to have the fun they deserve. Next, ATC provides the children with choices; such as where they want to fly! They also have an opportunity to fly the plane themselves. Giving the children choices and “ control” is so important. It gives them that confidence and feeling of success before the day has even started! Speaking of control, they are even able to check the fuel in the airplane!  The entire experience from the flight, to the photo op, and fun secret prizes at the end keeps the children guessing throughout the day!

11. Is there something I haven’t asked you that you would like to say about ATC?

    Although I haven’t been involved at ATC for long, the support team and crew is growing TREMENDOUSLY. My mom has even come to participate and take pictures! There is no such thing as “too little work.” Everyone who comes is providing great support and love for these children. Participation can range from just showing up and cheering a kiddo on for an hour, to becoming a flight coordinator and creating social stories for the children. Every little bit counts. I never thought i’d become this attached, but after experiencing ATC in person, I can’t imagine not going back. 

12. Describe ATC is one word.

    Inspirational