Event Details
The Arkansas Flight Safety Cooperative, in coordination with the City of Russellville, is excited to announce the River Valley Rally, a charity flight event to benefit Joseph's House of Russellville and River Valley Food 4 Kids. This event will be coordinated by Seth Lake, a local instructor pilot and president of the Arkansas Flight Safety Cooperative.
Event Schedule:
- 7:00 AM: Free Pancake Breakfast for Pilots hosted by AFSC
- 8:00 AM: Pilot Safety Briefing
- 9:00 AM: Event Opens to the Public and Charitable Flights Begin
- 7:00 PM: Last Flight
Join us for a day of fun and charity at the River Valley Rally! Starting at 9:00 AM, you can enjoy scenic flights over the beautiful River Valley region. Each flight lasts about 15 minutes, and tickets range from $25 to $50, with all proceeds going to Joseph's House of Russellville and River Valley Food 4 Kids.
Safety is our top priority. All flights will be conducted by experienced pilots and meet strict safety standards. Volunteers will be on hand to provide safety briefings and assist passengers.
In addition to the flights, there will be live music, light concessions, and static aircraft displays for everyone to enjoy. Proceeds from the concessions will also benefit our designated charities.
Come support a great cause and experience the thrill of flight at the River Valley Rally! We look forward to seeing you there. Download the event flyer here!
How It Works
The River Valley Rally is orchestrated entirely by a volunteer staff, composed of local community members who are passionate about aviation. These volunteers organize the event, recruit local qualified pilots, and secure certificated aircraft for the flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets specific regulations that permit a limited number of charity events each year, allowing private pilots and above to participate and offer flights to the general public.
Pilots generously volunteer their time and aircraft, ensuring that no costs are passed on for their services. To help offset operational expenses such as fuel, event organizers engage local sponsors who contribute financially. Thanks to these combined efforts, event sponsors are able to offer tickets for short scenic flights within a 25-mile radius of the departure airport, in accordance with FAA regulations.
On the day of the event, coordinators conduct a comprehensive safety briefing with each pilot in the morning. They also assist in calculating all necessary performance data to guarantee a safe flying experience for all attendees. In addition, event staff provide safety briefings for passengers, ensuring that everyone is familiar with the aircraft-specific safety equipment and procedures before takeoff. This thorough preparation ensures a fun and safe experience for all involved, contributing to the overall success of the River Valley Rally.
Joseph's House
Joseph’s House of Russellville rallies and partners with our community to provide programs that help overcome the obstacles of foster children, and being a foster child, in the River Valley Area of Arkansas. We walk alongside our families to help them more easily meet the needs of our children. With YOUR support, we can continue to build a strong foster family community so all our children can stay close to where they call home. Through continued planning and expansion, we will be able to serve the families of our foster children, making permanent impact and changing generational outcomes for the stronger and more stable family unit.
River Valley Food 4 Kids
River Valley Food 4 Kids was established in 2014 in Pope County Arkansas out of a desire to better serve children in our area. In Pope County, more than 1 in 4 children are dealing with poverty and food insecurity. During the school year, children have access to free breakfast & lunch along with backpacks filled with food for weekends. Once school lets out all of those resources end. While most children are enjoying a break from school and time with friends and family, these kids are wondering where their next meal will come from. To combat this problem, several Russellville churches and organizations partnered with River Valley Food 4 Kids to provide food for the summer.
In 2015 the program expanded to provide for the backpack program at Russellville, Atkins, Pottsville, and Dover schools. In 2020, we expanded our program again to include the Hector School District.
We now serve over 1,000 children each year through our Backpack Program.
Through the generosity of our community, we provided over 540,000 meals to the children of the River Valley in 2023. To date, RVF4K has served over 2.7 MILLION meals to children.
No single church or organization has the resources to meet the needs of these children alone. We need each other and we need you. Would you be willing to sponsor a child in our community? With only $12 per month, you will feed a child for THE ENTIRE YEAR. However, ANY amount will help ensure that a hungry child receives something to eat every time school is out of session.
Please contact us if you would like more information about volunteering or sponsoring a child. You can message us on Facebook or email us at rivervalleyfood4kids@gmail.com.
Pilot Volunteer Information
Join us as a pilot at the River Valley Rally and play a crucial role in our charity event! We are seeking enthusiastic pilots who are ready to share their love for aviation while contributing to a noble cause. Your expertise and generosity in volunteering your time and aircraft can make a significant difference in our community.
To participate as a pilot in the River Valley Rally, please meet the following qualifications:
- Valid Pilot Certificate - Private Pilot or higher
- Current Medical Certificate
- Flight Review completed within the last 24 months (14 CFR 61.56)
- At least 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days (14 CFR 61.57)
- Minimum of 500 total flight hours
This event is not just an opportunity to fly; it's a chance to directly impact the lives of many in the River Valley area. As part of the River Valley Rally, you’ll provide passengers with a unique perspective of our beautiful region, all while helping to raise funds for vital local causes.
What We Provide
- Coordination of all flight planning and safety checks
- A comprehensive safety briefing on the day of the event
- Support in fuel cost management through sponsorships, ensuring that there are no out-of-pocket expenses for fuel
- An opportunity to meet and network with other aviators who share your passion and commitment to community service
We Need Your Help:
We rely on the skilled hands of volunteer pilots like you to make this event successful. By offering your time and skills, you help ensure that every ticket sold turns into a substantial contribution for our beneficiaries. Moreover, your participation helps inspire others in the community, fostering a love for aviation and highlighting the critical role pilots play in charitable activities.
Please consider joining us for this exceptional event. To sign up as a volunteer pilot, download the pilot sign-up sheet provided, fill it out, and return it to us. Your involvement is not just about flying—it's about making a difference.
Download Pilot Sign-Up Sheet