Children with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities were given the opportunity to soar-free from their worries Saturday.
Thanks to a local non-profit, they were actually able to get in the pilots seat and take the wheel.
"I'm going on a plane," said Jonathan Quintanilla.
Nine year old Jonathan Quintanilla has been battling Ewing's Sarcoma for the past year, but Saturday all of that's behind him.
"They invited us, for me and our family to get, you know Jonathan he's got cancer and he's been sick so they've done this for the kids," said Jonathan's dad Geardo Quintanilla.
Thanks to the non-profit Flying Vikings children just like Jonathan are able to put their sickness aside and take the flight of a lifetime.
Not only do the children get to enjoy a plane ride, but they actually get to fly the aircraft.
"I came up with the idea because I really wanted to make an impact on kids lives," Flying Vikings Executive Director Paul Hansen.
Executive director Paul Hansen started this program over a decade ago.
Quitting is corporate America job, he said it's been a blessing ever since.
"That's what its all about seeing the smiles, one word it's a smile and a lot of people don't understand what these kids are going through," said Hansen.
Some might have cancer, others Down syndrome, but on days like Saturday, life is all about being in control.
And seeing the smile on his son's face, gives this dad a feeling like no other.
"It makes me feel good because, we've been waiting for this day because I promised him one day that we're going to go on an airplane, but it never happened," said Geardo Quintanilla.
Thanks to local volunteers every year more than 400 children are able to experience the flight of a lifetime.
