Keene Airport Open House and Keene Senior Center Charity Helicopter Rides!

Monadnock Choppers was thrilled to take part in this weekend’s May 18th Runway 5k and Keene Airport Open House, offering charity helicopter rides to benefit the Keene Senior Center.

Despite a few passing rain showers, the event saw a strong turnout, and the helicopter rides were enormously popular for families and first-time flyers.

A special thank you goes out to Kevin Provost, owner of Monadnock Choppers, whose ongoing support for community and aviation outreach made these flights possible. Kevin not only provided the helicopter and coordinated the charity flights, but also generously donated gift certificates for a helicopter ride and an airplane flight to the Runway 5K raffle. He also donates to several charity fundraisers throughout the year.

The Enstrom helicopter arriving to start rides!

The Monadnock Choppers Fleet on display.

The Runway 5K itself brought together runners and walkers of all ages to run along the airport’s taxiways and runway—a unique experience that tied aviation and fitness together in support of local seniors. Several members from the Monadnock Choppers team participated in the 5k - and the runway looks a lot shorter from an aircraft! All proceeds from the race benefited the Keene Senior Center, a nonprofit organization that provides programs, services, and community for adults 50 and older in the Monadnock Region. This is the second year for the Runway 5k, and the community hopes it will continue to grow every year.

Giving passengers a safety briefing prior to departing.

This was the Keene Airport’s first public open house and the local aviation community came out in full support. Groups including the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), local flight schools, and private aircraft owners were all on hand to talk with visitors, showcase their aircraft, and promote aviation education and awareness. Local food trucks were onsite for delicious lunch and snacks. The success of the event is a reflection of the Keene Airport’s growing efforts to engage the community and open the airport up as a space for public connection and education. Events like the Open House and Runway 5K are part of a broader push to show how the airport can be a valuable community resource.

Pilot Matthew Santonastaso putting the helicopter away after a good day’s work!

We’d like to especially recognize Matthew Santonastaso, our skilled pilot, who put in enormous effort to prepare for and provide safe and exciting helicopter flights all day long. Several kids and their parents had the thrill of flying in a helicopter for the first time and came away with big smiles. Thank you also to the entire Monadnock Choppers team for their time, energy, and coordination throughout the day. From flight safety to passenger support, the team made the operation run smoothly and safely.

We’re always glad to support events that give back to the community, while helping more people experience the excitement and accessibility of aviation, and we hope to be offering more of these opportunities in the future. Thank you to the community for coming out and supporting!