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2017 Navajo Airlift departing State Wide

Saturday, November 11, 2017
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Contact - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Location - Big group from Sierra Vista and several groups from various Phoenix airports, meeting at KGUP


33rd  Annual Navajo Christmas Airlift

Every year, the Blue Sky Fliers from Phoenix conduct a Christmas airlift of clothing, food and toys to the Navajo Nation. This year’s flight will be Saturday, November 11th. 2017 will be the 33d year with Sierra Vista supporting the airlift for many of those years. Dick McColley was a founder of the airlift and was responsible for bringing participation to Sierra Vista. Planes fly with a pilot and optional passenger and the rest of the useful load is dedicated to donations of clothing, toys, toiletries, food, etc. Clothing should be new or lightly used. Children’s clothing, and especially cold weather clothing is in need. Pilots are responsible for collecting their own loads. Cross leveling is typically arranged one on one between pilots, or with the assistance of the organizers.

The 33rd Annual Navajo Christmas Airlift is now being planned for Saturday, November 11th. We will be flying into the Navajo Indian Nation at Gallup, New Mexico (KGUP), approximately 196 nm from DVT on a 055 degree true course. We will synchronize for an arrival with another core group departing Sierra Vista Libby Field (KFHU) that morning, although we have pilots participating from across the Valley and the State.

Each plane would typically have a pilot and one passenger, with all remaining space filled with clothing, toys, or non-perishable food. The Airlift has always been a fun and rewarding occasion, one the regular participants look forward to each year. Anyone who has collected a plane load of material is welcome to join us.

It is hard to understand how poor most of reservation is only a few hours from us here in Phoenix. Many of the Navajo live in virtual third world conditions in homes without even running water or electricity. The donations might be gently used clothing for children or adults, blankets, good condition toys, toiletries or non-perishable food to fill the planes for the trip. Clothing and soft pack are ideal, as may be packed in garbage bags, which then works very well for packing in the planes. The food stuffs, cans, and toiletries may be put in small cardboard boxes as the weight tends to accumulate.

Another option would be to help create and coordinate care packages for special purpose kids. As an example, in earlier special efforts have created care baskets for young girls at a school, with Shampoo, Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Lotion, some special candy, etc. These simple articles mean so very much to children who have so little.

All participating pilots are responsible for collecting clothing, toys, and food to fill their planes for the trip. The donations collected usually come from family and friends, schools, churches, business associates, or other groups or individuals who would like to contribute - the donations are tax deductible as is the flight. This does require each pilot to plan proactively and collect a load of donations. We strive to ensure that all planes are filled to capacity. If you have something you would like to contribute, but will not be able to join in the flight, you may contact myself or any participating flight member to help make arrangements.

If you plan to join in the Airlift or simply need more information, please do feel free to contact Greg McColley at 602-978-1663, or E-Mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Thank You for any assistance or consideration in supporting this tremendous 33rd Annual event.

Location - Big group from Sierra Vista and several groups from various Phoenix airports, meeting at KGUP

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