Taos Youth Flight RallySaturday, October 4, 2025
Taos-area youth ages 8 to 17 will have a unique opportunity to take to the skies during the Taos Youth Flight Rally happening on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Taos Aviation Services Facility and Hangar, located at the Taos Regional Airport. Flight times will run from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM, weather and pilot availability permitting.
The Taos Youth Flight Rally was created to spark interest in aviation among young people and to help build one-on-one connections between local pilots and the next generation. During the event, volunteer pilots will offer free airplane rides and explain how aircraft work, how flights are conducted safely, and what it takes to become a pilot. These generous pilots donate their time, aircraft, and fuel to give youth a hands-on introduction to aviation—free of charge.
Parents must pick up, complete, and return registration forms to the Taos Visitor Center/Taos Pueblo Collective by Saturday, September 27, 2025. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please note: registration must be completed by a parent or legal guardian, not the child.
A random drawing will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, and 70 participants will be selected to receive a flight slot. Selected participants will be contacted on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, to confirm their scheduled flight time.
Parental permission is required for participation.
New this year, all registered participants will automatically be entered into a raffle drawing, thanks to the support of generous sponsors. The 1st Prize is four roundtrip flights provided by JSX with an estimated value of $5,600. The 2nd Prize is four roundtrip flights provided by Contour Airlines valued at $2,072 (taxes not included). The 3rd Prize is a one-night stay at The Blake at Taos Ski Valley provided by Taos Ski Valley valued at $560. The 4th Prize is a one-night stay at Hotel Willa provided by Hotel Willa valued at over $300.
Winners do not need to be present at the drawing to win. Contact information for all participants will be on file, and winners will be notified directly.
This exciting community event is made possible by the support of many local partners and airlines, including Contour Airlines, Hotel Willa, JSX, Local Pilots, McDonald’s of Taos, Taos Aviation Services, Taos Fire Department, Taos Police Department, Taos Regional Airport, Taos Ski Valley, the Taos Visitor Center/Taos Pueblo Collective, Town of Taos Events, and TriState CareFlight.
For more information about the Taos Youth Flight Rally, please contact:
Colton Rapstine
Taos Regional Airport Manager
(575) 770-1699 | coltonr@taosnm.gov
Ray Rodriguez
Airport Operations Manager, Taos Aviation Services
(575) 613-3705 | ray.rodriguez@taosaviation.com
Judy Esquibel
Community Events Coordinator, Town of Taos Events
(575) 751-2037 | jesquibel@taosnm.gov
