Flying with Grandpa: A Memory Your Grandkids Will Never Forget
There are some days your grandkids will barely remember.
And then there are days that become “Remember when, Grandpa…?” stories they retell for the rest of their lives.
Flying in an open-cockpit biplane together?
That’s one of those days.
At Suncoast Biplanes, many of our favorite flights are grandparents flying with their grandkids—side by side in Gracie, our white and red WACO biplane, sharing an adventure neither of you will ever forget.
Why Grandparent–Grandchild Time Matters
Life moves fast. Kids grow up. Schedules fill up. Before you know it, they’re taller, busier, and harder to pin down.
That’s why the time you do have together is precious.
A biplane flight does a few special things all at once:
It creates a “just us” moment. No phones, no TV, no distractions—just the two of you sharing the same view, the same breeze, the same excitement.
It turns Grandpa (or Grandma!) into a superhero. To your grandkids, you’re already pretty amazing. But when you’re the one who booked a real biplane ride over Southwest Florida? You’ve officially entered “legend” status.
It becomes part of the family story. Years from now, they won’t remember what toy they got that year—but they will remember the day you flew over Charlotte Harbor and down the beach together in an open cockpit.
What It’s Like to Fly with Gracie
Picture this:
You and your grandchild walk across the tarmac at Punta Gorda Airport toward our gleaming white and red biplane named Gracie. You both climb into the open cockpit—seatbelts on, headsets snug.
The propeller spins to life, the engine rumbles, and already you can feel the excitement building. There’s a quick thumbs-up, and then you’re rolling down the runway, watching the ground fall away beneath you.
Suddenly you’re in the sky, not just looking at it. The Peace River winds below. Boats look like toys. The coastline stretches out in every direction.
You glance over and see your grandchild’s face:
Eyes wide. Huge grin. A little bit of “I can’t believe we’re doing this!”
It’s one of those rare moments when time seems to stand still. You’re not thinking about anything else. You’re just… there, together.
“Remember When We Flew in Gracie the Biplane, Grandpa?”
Here’s the beautiful thing about experiences like this:
Your grandchild might forget the exact altitude or the name of the river.
But they won’t forget how it felt:
The wind in their hair.
The way their stomach flipped as you banked gently over the beach.
The sound of their own laughter over the headset.
The warmth of knowing, “Grandpa did this for me.”
You’re not just giving them a ride—you’re giving them a story they’ll tell friends, future spouses, and maybe one day their own grandkids.
Don’t Wait for “Someday”
We hear it all the time:
“We’ve talked about doing this for years…”
But “someday” has a sneaky habit of never showing up.
If your kids and grandkids are coming to visit Southwest Florida, that’s your perfect moment. While everyone’s together, sneak in a little magic:
A special outing for Grandpa and one grandchild
A “big kid” reward for a responsible teen
A surprise experience to celebrate a birthday or milestone
Instead of another afternoon scrolling on phones or wandering a mall, you can say:
“Want to go do something you’ll remember for the rest of your life?”
The Perfect Gift: An Experience, Not Just a Thing
When you’re trying to come up with gift ideas, it’s easy to default to “stuff”:
Video games, gadgets, toys, clothes.
They’re fun for a while. And then they’re forgotten, outgrown, or tossed in a closet.
A biplane flight is different. It’s:
An experience you share. You’re not just handing over a box—you’re stepping into the memory with them.
Something no one else will duplicate. There might be ten kids in the class with the same gaming system. How many have flown in an open-cockpit biplane with Grandpa?
A gift that keeps resurfacing. In photos, stories, and those “Remember when…?” conversations for years to come.
Don’t want to pick a date yet? That’s what gift cards are for. You can give the surprise now and choose the perfect flight day later.
Make the Most of This Visit
If your grandkids are already here—or their trip is on the calendar—this is your sign.
Instead of just planning meals and outings on the ground, plan one unforgettable hour in the sky:
Book a scenic tour over Charlotte Harbor, the Peace River, or the Gulf beaches.
Or purchase a gift card now so you’re ready whenever they next visit.
Either way, you’ll be giving them something the world doesn’t make many of anymore:
Uninterrupted time with you.
A sense of adventure.
A memory they’ll never forget.
Ready to Fly?
Don’t let the opportunity slip by.
Give them the gift of an amazing experience.
Give them the day they flew with Grandpa in Gracie.
