Press Releases

Weather Grounds This Weekend’s Dream Flight, But We’re Already Looking Ahead

After a week of watching the forecast closely, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this Saturday’s Dream Flight Day due to poor weather conditions. Low ceilings, heavy cloud cover, and rain have made it clear that flying safely—and giving our Dream Flyers the full experience they deserve—just isn’t possible this weekend.

We explored the possibility of shifting to Sunday, and we’re incredibly grateful to the pilots and volunteers who offered to adjust their schedules to make that work. Your flexibility and willingness to step up are what keep this program going strong.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s weather isn’t looking much better. The most recent forecasts show conditions improving only later in the afternoon, which would mean a significantly delayed start. That creates challenges not only for our pilots and volunteers but also for several families who simply wouldn’t be able to participate at a later time. Between the limited availability and the forecast uncertainty, we’ve decided that trying to squeeze in a partial day just isn’t the right call.

Instead, we’re turning our attention to the next full Dream Flight Day on Saturday, July 19—and we’re excited to make it one of our biggest yet.

We’re also in the process of adding additional Dream Flight Days in July and August, along with weekday flights to help serve more children on our waiting list. If you’re a pilot or volunteer who has weekday availability, we’d love to hear from you!

✅ Sign up now for the July 19 Dream Flight Day:
Click here to register

We’re grateful for your continued support, your patience, and your passion for helping children experience the joy and wonder of flight. The skies will clear soon—and when they do, we’ll be ready.

Blue Skies at Last: A Joy-Filled Dream Flight Day

After a long stretch of rainy weekends and postponed plans, Above the Clouds finally took to the skies again on Sunday, June 1—and it was nothing short of magical.

We were thrilled to fly nine incredible kids, ages 9 to 16, many of whom had been patiently waiting through multiple reschedules due to weather. These resilient Dream Flyers came from across Massachusetts—and one even made the two-hour journey from Connecticut!

This special day was made possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of 33 amazing volunteers, including:

  • 8 volunteer pilots who donated their time, talent, and aircraft

  • 5 flight coordinators who ensured everything ran smoothly on the ground

  • And a full team of photographers, joy makers, greeters, and support volunteers who made every moment fun, welcoming, and memorable

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day a success. Each smile, high-five, and joyful takeoff reminded us why we do this work—and how powerful it can be for children facing adversity.

Join Us for the Next Dream Flight Day – June 28!

We’re already looking ahead to our next Dream Flight Day on Saturday, June 28, and we’re actively recruiting:

  • Pilots

  • Flight Coordinators

  • Photographers

  • Joy Makers and General Event Volunteers

If you’re interested in being part of the magic, we’d love to have you join us.
Click here to confirm your availability for June 28

Know a Child Who Could Be a Dream Flyer?

Above the Clouds serves children and teens (ages 6–18) who are facing serious adversity—whether it’s illness, disability, the loss of a loved one, foster care, or financial hardship. A Dream Flight is a joyful, one-of-a-kind experience meant to uplift and inspire.

If you know a child who could benefit, we invite you to learn more and apply:
Apply for a Dream Flight

Thank you again to our volunteers, partners, and supporters who continue to help us bring hope and joy to kids who need it most. We couldn’t do this without you!

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Dream Flight Day Rescheduled to Sunday, June 1 – Important Details

Dear Dream Flight Families, Pilots, Flight Coordinators, and Volunteers,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s briefing. As expected, we have made the decision to reschedule this weekend’s Dream Flight Day to Sunday, June 1 due to the weather forecast.
Dream Flight Day Details:
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: First flight scheduled for 9:00 AM – volunteers should arrive by 8:30 AM
Location: Above the Clouds, Norwood Memorial Airport, 125 Access Road, Building #7, Norwood, MA 02062
If this is your first time visiting, we are located in Building #7, the same building as Flight Level Aviation and Avis Rental Car. Above the Clouds is on the second floor.
Parents and Guardians
If you or another adult plan to accompany your child on their Dream Flight, please complete the Passenger Release and Waiver prior to Sunday. The form is required for any passengers boarding the aircraft.
Passenger Release and Waiver Form
We appreciate those who have already informed us if they’re unable to pivot to Sunday—thank you for your timely communication.
Pilots
Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled flight time.
If this will be your first time volunteering with Above the Clouds, we recommend arriving earlier to meet fellow pilots and volunteers and sit in on flight briefings.
Additionally, all pilots must complete the Pilot Affirmation of Currency prior to their flight:
Pilot Affirmation of Currency
Flight Coordinators
If you haven’t already done so, please reach out to your assigned Dream Flyer’s parent or guardian as soon as possible. Confirm whether any special accommodation is needed and ensure that the Passenger Release and Waiver has been completed.
Volunteers
Please plan to arrive by 8:30 AM (30 minutes before the first Dream Flight of the day) so we can go over safety procedures and volunteer roles.
If you are a new volunteer and have not yet submitted your application, please do so using the link below:
Volunteer Application
  • Under 18: You must complete the application prior to Sunday.
  • 18 or older: Please complete it as soon as possible so we can finalize your background check.

May 17 Dream Flights – Weather Cancellation & Next Steps

Unfortunately, while there will be a window on Saturday without rain, the forecast is predicting low clouds between 200–700 feet, which is well below the minimums Above the Clouds sets to fly and provide a positive experience for the children we serve. As a result, we will need to cancel the Dream Flights planned for May 17.

We know this is disappointing—especially after other recent weather-related cancellations—and we are truly grateful for your dedication and flexibility.

We will work with families to reschedule these Dream Flyers to one of the following options:

  • Our next Dream Flight Day on May 31
  • A future scheduled Dream Flight Day
  • An individual Dream Flight during the workweek

To those who have already committed to May 31—thank you! We’re looking forward to a great day with about 10 Dream Flyers and 10 pilots, including three first-time pilot volunteers.

If you haven’t yet let us know your availability for May 31, you can do so using the link below:

Click Here to Confirm Your Availability for May 31st Dream Flight Day

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for better weather at the end of this month and throughout the summer. Thank you again for being part of the Above the Clouds family—your time and commitment mean the world to us.

Above the Clouds Featured on Chronicle

We’re thrilled to announce that Above the Clouds will be featured tonight, May 6 at 7:30 PM on Chronicle, WCVB-TV Channel 5’s award-winning news magazine!

This special episode is all about Taking Flight in New England—from nostalgic balsa wood airplanes made in Wakefield, to space suits built in Worcester (including one worn by astronaut Sunita Williams on her recent mission), to a behind-the-scenes ride aboard the Sky 5 news chopper. The episode also highlights the legacy of a visionary scientist whose early experiments helped shape modern rocketry.

We’re honored to be one of the featured stories.

Our segment follows volunteer pilot Chris Steward, Dream Flyer Jake, and his dad as they take to the skies with Above the Clouds, showing the powerful impact flight can have on children facing serious adversity.

Watch the Promo

Don’t Miss It

Tune in tonight, Monday, May 6 at 7:30 PM
WCVB Channel 5 – Chronicle

www.wcvb.com/chronicle

This is a big moment for us—and for the children and families we serve. We’d love for you to watch and share the episode with others who may want to support our mission.

Whether it’s by volunteering, making a referral, or making a donation, you can help bring the joy of flight to even more kids across the region.

Thank you for helping us lift children’s spirits and dreams—one flight at a time.

April 27 Dream Flight Day Canceled – Next Steps

After closely monitoring the weather forecast, Above the Clouds has made the difficult decision to cancel Dream Flight Day originally scheduled for Sunday, April 27.

While it would technically be safe to fly—thanks to our highly experienced, IFR-rated pilots—the conditions are simply not ideal for creating the joyful, inspiring experience we want for our Dream Flyers.

Here’s why:

  • The cloud ceiling is expected to remain low at the altitudes most flights operate, meaning our Dream Flyers would have little to no outside visibility. Seeing the world from above is a huge part of what makes a Dream Flight so magical.

  • Windy conditions, although safe, would likely make flights bumpier than we prefer, especially for children flying for the first time.

At Above the Clouds, our mission is not just about getting kids into the air—it’s about creating magical, unforgettable first flight experiences. If we can’t deliver that magic, we would rather wait for a better day.

What Happens Next?

We are already working to add additional Dream Flight Days in May to reschedule the Dream Flyers originally scheduled for April 27.
This will allow us to accommodate everyone without impacting our regularly scheduled Dream Flight Days. We will reach out soon with more details and new scheduling options.

Stay Updated

We will continue to post important updates on our News and Updates page.
Please check back regularly for the latest information.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact Ray Santos at 617-429-2774 (call or text) or via email at ray@abovethecloudskids.org.

Thank you again for your incredible flexibility, patience, and support. We are so grateful for your dedication to our mission—and we look forward to seeing you at a future Dream Flight Day under better skies!

Above the Clouds Honors Founders Gary and Martha Oberstein with Emeritus and Advisory Roles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ray Santos, Executive Director
ray@abovethecloudskids.org, M: 617.429.2774, O: 617.918.7344 

 

ABOVE THE CLOUDS HONORS FOUNDERS GARY AND MARTHA OBERSTEIN WITH EMERITUS AND ADVISORY ROLES

 

Norwood, MA — Above the Clouds is proud to announce that Gary Oberstein and Martha Oberstein, the organization’s founders and longtime board members, have accepted honorary and advisory roles in recognition of their extraordinary contributions and lasting legacy.

Gary Oberstein will now serve as Chairman Emeritus of the Board, and Martha Oberstein as Board Member Emeritus. In addition, both will take on Special Advisor roles to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, where they will continue to support Above the Clouds in key areas of growth and outreach.

As Special Advisors, Gary and Martha will focus on strengthening relationships with community-based nonprofits and referral organizations, ensuring that Above the Clouds continues to connect with children who can most benefit from its mission. They will also play a pivotal role in board recruitment and cultivation, leveraging their deep institutional knowledge and extensive networks to help expand the leadership that guides Above the Clouds forward.

“Gary and Martha built something truly remarkable, and their passion, leadership, and vision have transformed the lives of so many children and families,” said Ray Santos, Executive Director of Above the Clouds. “We are honored that they will continue to be a part of our organization in these meaningful roles. Their wisdom, relationships, and storytelling ability will help us grow in ways that only they can make possible.”

“I am truly honored to be named Chairman Emeritus of the Board for Above the Clouds. Believing in joy as medicine, Martha and I set out to create a unique charity that would use the wonder of flight to bring joy, hope, and inspiration to kids and teens facing serious adversity of all kinds. Twelve years later, we are tremendously grateful for the many volunteers who worked with unwavering passion and dedication to help ATC accomplish what it has.  With the guidance of our Board Chair and new Executive Director, I am confident the organization will continue to thrive and make a lasting impact.”

Above the Clouds was founded with the belief that aviation has the power to inspire and uplift children facing adversity. Thanks to Gary and Martha’s leadership, the organization has grown into a widely respected nonprofit, partnering with pilots and volunteers to provide unforgettable flight experiences for children in need.

For more information about Above the Clouds and its mission, please visit www.abovethecloudskids.org.

About Above the Clouds:
Founded in 2013 and based in Norwood, MA, Above the Clouds is a nonprofit organization that leverages the transformative power of flight to inspire hope and joy in children and teens facing serious challenges. With nearly 900 lives touched, the organization continues to soar towards its mission of creating brighter futures.