A Pilots for Christ pilot prepares for takeoff with his passengers during the Family Fly Day event on May 23. From back left, Angie Hellmann and Abby Hellman. From front left, Daniel Hellman and pilot Dennis Estell.

A Pilots for Christ pilot prepares for takeoff with his passengers during the Family Fly Day event on May 23. From back left, Angie Hellmann and Abby Hellman. From front left, Daniel Hellman and pilot Dennis Estell.
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The Cincinnati Chapter of the National Association of Pilots for Christ gave free airplane rides over Clermont County during their Family Fly Day event on May 23 at the Clermont County Airport.

The mission of Pilots for Christ is to share the gospel through aviation, and the Cincinnati Chapter conducts mission of mercy flights for disadvantaged families of any faith needing medical and other necessary transportation in and out of the Cincinnati area. It is a volunteer organization made up of pilots and non-pilots.

The Family Fly Day, an outreach and fundraising event, was the first of its kind held by the Cincinnati Chapter. Chapter president Jim Sutter of Glen Este estimates that 400 people attended the event, and 135 people were given airplane rides this year.

“The event was a success,” said Sutter. “I think we’ll plan on hosting another Family Fly Day next year.”

Sutter, who owns his own video production company, is a non-pilot volunteer with the organization. He has been a member of Pilots for Christ for seven years and served as president of the chapter for two years.

“People love being around aviation, so there’s that curiosity and interest,” said Sutter.

“The idea that we can take this very interesting sort of side activity and do something to give back to the community is a win-win for everybody.”

Sutter said the Cincinnati Chapter has flown several missions, including flying a family from Huntington, West Virginia, to Cincinnati for infant surgery and flying four Wounded Warriors soldiers to Washington D.C for a memorial service. The group continues to work with Children’s Hospital and Shiners Hospitals to transport families.

Sutter was introduced to Pilots for Christ by former president Dennis Estell, who he met at First Baptist of Glen Este.

“I’ve always had an interest in aviation,” said Sutter. “I went up with Dennis a few times, and I was hooked.”

Sutter has been studying for his pilot license, which he hopes to get within a year.

According to Sutter, a mission flight can cost between $400 and $700, depending on the plane used and the length of the trip.

The group has been making and selling kettle corn as their primary fundraiser.

Last year, they made about $20,000 selling kettle corn.

Jay Hallgarth is a computer consultant from Milford. He started flying during the 1980s and has been a member of Pilots for Christ for three years.

Hallgarth said he too became acquainted with the organization through Estell, who he met at church.

“This is a great charity with a great mission,” said Hallgarth.

Angie Hellmann, of Batavia, brought her two children to the event.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my community from high up in the sky,” said Daniel Hellmann, age 12.

His sister Abby Hellmann, age nine, had another feeling about the flight. “I’m a little nervous,” she said.

Sutter said the group is always looking for new members, including pilots, pilots with planes and non-pilots. They are also looking for financial contributions.

“The pilots can do something constructive with something that they already have a love and a passion for,” said Sutter. “They are helping people out, and we meet neat people.”

Sutter added that the group would like to purchase its own plane, which could cost $60,000 to $100,000.

“We’re meeting new people today on this Family Fly Day,” added Sutter. “We just thought, let’s do something new to engage the community and do the best we can to give out these plane rides and allow people to find out a little bit about us, and if they want to get involved, they can get as involved as they want.”

To learn more about the Cincinnati Chapter of Pilots for Christ, please visit www.cincypilotsforchrist.org.