SouthWings

For almost 30 years SouthWings has provided free flights by bringing together volunteer pilots, community leaders, organizations, and decision makers to provide a one of a kind aerial experience and perspective of the landscape to better understand, and help solve, the most pressing environmental issues facing the Southeast region.

SouthWings strives to put the tool of flight at the disposal of frontline communities and ally organizations first and foremost.

We combine knowledge of environmental justice and conservation issues with experienced pilot skills to provide productive flight models such as:

-Monitoring and Survey Flights - Working with a vast network of partners, we help in providing aerial coverage to areas that are often remote, inaccessible by ground, or require an aerial view. These flights assist in gathering data that may be used for scientific, legal, or regulatory enforcement purposes.
-Flights of Persuasion - From leaders in the community to national decision-makers, these flights inspire select passengers to lead positive change for environmental awareness and protection.
-Media Flights - For photographers, videographers, writers, and journalists, these flights capture the story of the environment, bringing evidence to a wider audience, as well as empowering the public to action. These flights also assist in the opportunity for frontline communities to represent themselves and tell their own stories.

Testimonials

The SouthWings flight was an eye-opener. I appreciated the opportunity to experience a different perspective on the scale of industry and its proximity to residential areas. What was even more disturbing was viewing the proximity of the industrial buildout to the impoverished areas versus the affluent neighborhoods.

The SouthWings flight provided me the opportunity to pinpoint the gravesites of ancestors located on the industrial properties....The flight was informative and it gave me a perspective change that I didn't expect, and is leading me to shift the advocacy I do.

Flying with SouthWings changes you.

-Shamyra Lavigne-Davey, Rise St. James