Community Spotlight: Above & Beyond Empowers Arizona Children Through the Joy of Aviation
/Supporting our local community and championing causes that lift up Arizona families is a core part of what we do. Today, The Trexler Team is proud to spotlight an extraordinary local nonprofit organization and an upcoming event that is deeply important to our family: Above & Beyond and their upcoming Fly Day.
What Is Above & Beyond’s Fly Day?
Above & Beyond is an Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children through the joy of aviation. Their mission is to help kids rise above life challenges by experiencing the freedom and excitement of flight.
The organization hosts dedicated Fly Day events for children ages 5 to 18 who are navigating special needs, managing chronic illness, living in foster care, or facing other difficult life circumstances.
During Fly Day, these resilient young participants step away from their everyday medical or personal routines to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime aviation experience. Guided by experienced volunteer pilots, the kids do not simply ride along in a small aircraft. They get to hold the controls, navigate the skies, and earn their own honorary flight wings along with flight certificates signed by their pilot.
Beyond the flights, Fly Day brings families together for a celebration featuring ground activities, lunch, and community connection designed to build lasting confidence and self-worth.
A Personal Connection for Travis and Cassity
For our team, this organization represents the meeting point of two lifelong callings.
Long before Travis began his career in real estate, aviation was his primary focus. Flight brought Travis to Phoenix, where he earned his commercial pilot license, worked as a flight instructor, and later served as Chief Pilot for an international flight academy. Over the years, he trained hundreds of aspiring aviators and traveled extensively across Southeast Asia, helping students achieve their aviation dreams. Today, Travis actively serves on the board of directors for Above & Beyond and regularly flies as a volunteer pilot.
Cassity brings an equally deep background in child advocacy. Earlier in her career, she worked directly with Child Protective Services and Easterseals, dedicating her days to supporting vulnerable children and families navigating complex life circumstances.
Because of these shared backgrounds in aviation and youth advocacy, the mission of Above & Beyond is personal to our family. We regularly volunteer our time at Fly Day events to support the children and volunteer pilots who make these moments possible.
Upcoming Fly Day Event Details
The next Fly Day is taking flight this month in the West Valley. Here are the core event details:
Event Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Location: Phoenix Goodyear Airport
Participants: Children ages 5 to 18 facing medical challenges, special needs, or foster care placement
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you are a parent, an aviation professional, or a community member looking to make a meaningful difference, there are several ways to support this upcoming event:
Register a Child or Family: If you know a child between the ages of 5 and 18 who is living with chronic health conditions, navigating special needs, or in foster care, you can register them for an unforgettable flight experience.
Volunteer on the Ground: Events of this scale rely on caring volunteers. Ground teams help with guest check-in, activity stations, meal service, and event logistics throughout the day.
Volunteer as a Pilot: If you are a licensed pilot with access to an aircraft, you can join Travis in the air to give these deserving kids a ride they will never forget.
Make a Financial Contribution: Donations directly fund flight operations, safety equipment, event meals, and program expansion so more Arizona children can participate free of charge.
Spread the Word: Sharing event details with your neighborhood, school, or community group helps connect eligible families with this unique opportunity.
We look forward to seeing everyone on the tarmac at Phoenix Goodyear Airport on Saturday, November 14, 2026. If you have questions about the event or want to learn more about supporting Above & Beyond, reach out to our team anytime.
