About Give Hope Wings
Hope Air & Give Hope Wings 2025
Connecting pilots, patients and communities through the adventure of flight
This is your chance to fly with a dedicated group of Canadian pilots and make a lasting difference in the lives of patients who must travel long distances for vital medical care.
For 2025, GHW is evolving into a single, unforgettable journey that will bring participants together like never before. This year, we will embark on a unique expedition focused on Central Canada, with stops in iconic locations including Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie for Hope Air Day and Winnipeg for a rally with pilots and partners. Along the way, we’ll connect with Hope Air patients, explore hallmark aviation communities, and experience breathtaking aerial views of Canada’s landscapes. Can't join us for the entire expedition? Pilots are encouraged to jump in and join a leg where they can.
While we'll miss a B.C. focused route, we're encouraging our Western Canada pilots to tag in on the journey. If you're interested in a fly-in or more accessible route with all the impact, please reach out! This streamlined approach will allow us to amplify the impact of GHW, bringing more energy, resources, and attention to one extraordinary expedition. Most of all, it means you’ll be flying in our biggest expedition squadron yet, with 25 aircraft expected to participate.
Pilot Testimonials
Hear from Dave about the spirit of cameraderie and the value of giving back through an expedition that gives purpose to the adventure of flight.
As a pilot and B.C. resident, I understand the unique challenges Canadians living far from city centres have in accessing specialized medical care. Flying in Give Hope Wings allows me to give back while doing something I love.
A history of GHW
Give Hope Wings has raised more than $2.7 Million to help fund travel for vital medical care.
Give Hope Wings was founded in 2017 by Dave McElroy who came to Hope Air with a vision of giving back through his lifelong passion: flight. The first flight took place in 2018 when three pilots: Dave, Harold Fast and Ross Airey left Canada to circumnavigate South America. In recent years expeditions have focused on exploring more familiar terrain and connecting with communities across Canada that experience the need to travel for medical care first hand.
Past expeditions include:
- Patagonia
- Northwest (Alaska)
- Sault to Saguenay
- Boundary Bay to Hudson Bay
- Canada Coast to Coast
Get Involved
Sound like a fit for you? Visit our pilot experience page to learn more about this year's expedition and how you can get involved.
Want to greet us along the way? Plan to greet our pilots, rally with your community, and give back to patients at a community event.
Ready to support this important mission? Make a donation in support of a pilot, event participant, or make your gift to Hope Air directly.