It was just one of those things on the wishlist of a busy family man from Mosgiel who had a business to run.
But when a helicopter took off from the Taieri for a scenic flight on a warm Saturday afternoon, it carried a young family in desperate need of cheer and help - and the goodwill of the community.
For about five years, Mr Mulder and his wife, Steph, had worked side by side in the workshop of their engineering firm, Mulder Machining Fabrication, while raising their two children, daughter Carerra (7) and son Ryker (5).
On Labour Day, Mr Mulder woke up and could not keep fluids down. At first, he thought he had a gastric bug. Then his vision began to blur and he lost his balance.
On November 17, his 33rd birthday, he went to the emergency department at Dunedin Hospital, where he was admitted and tests began.
Three days later, the couple knew why.
Mr Mulder had terminal cancer, a highly aggressive glioblastoma multiforme tumour, on his brain stem.
In 2009, Mr Mulder had been treated for a low-grade tumour. It lay dormant for six years. ‘‘But now it's come back as a high-grade inoperable tumour,'' he said.
Mrs Mulder (34) said everything came to a halt when her husband entered the hospital. ‘‘The doctor's given us less than 12 months.
But, realistically, it's going to be a lot less than that.
‘‘We're just going through the motions, getting all the affairs in order so that when he does go, I don't have too much to panic about.''
Notwithstanding the emotional toll on the family, financially, too, it was tough.
Neither parent had been able to run the business, as Mrs Mulder cared for her husband. They had no other employees and, because of Mr Mulder's earlier diagnosis, no income protection.
Mrs Mulder said they had struggled to accept they needed help from others, even as their friends, community and East Taieri School rallied to support them.
‘‘We're not big on asking for help, but I do realise we need it now,'' she said.
‘‘The amount of support has been overwhelming. It's had me in tears.''
Saturday's helicopter flight, piloted by Marcus Evers-Swindell, was a gift to the Mulder family from Helicopters Otago owners Graeme and Rosslyn Gale.
The helicopter flew from Mosgiel along the coast to Brighton and over the family's house in Quarry Rd.
‘‘It's nice and peaceful up there in the helicopter,'' Mr Mulder said.
‘‘I enjoyed it. It was great.''
Earlier on Saturday, more than 20 friends held a working bee at the Mulders' home.
‘‘The work the guys have done was absolutely incredible,'' Mrs Mulder said.
East Taieri School has been banking donations into an account for the family.
Meanwhile, friends Kelli Najafi and Juanita Willems have started fundraising pages on the givealittle.co.nz website to support the Mulders and help buy Christmas presents for Carerra and Ryker.
‘‘It will probably be their last Christmas with Dad,'' Mrs Mulder said.
‘‘Everyone has pitched together to try and make it as memorable as possible, which again is overwhelming.''
Mr and Mrs Mulder have been together for 12 years. They bought their first home two years ago.
On Friday, Mr Mulder completed his final bout of radiotherapy. He was still taking chemotherapy orally.
‘‘At the moment, I'm taking it every day for six weeks,'' Mr Mulder said.
‘‘After that, I get a month's break. Then it's five days a month at a higher dose.''
That would cost $700 a month, paid by Pharmac for six months, Mrs Mulder said.
Afterwards, the couple would have to pay for it themselves.
● To give financially, search for Mulder family at givealittle.co.nz
By Bruce Quirey.
