LightHawk

Aerial patrol  to monitor a quarry on the Hudson River
Image by Giles Ashford with aerial support by LightHawk

A mission to “champion environmental protection through the unique perspective of flight”.

LightHawk grew from a seed planted in 1974 with a simple suggestion to use aircraft to educate legislators and reporters on the potential environmental damage of a proposed coal-fired power plant near the Grand Canyon. Continue reading “LightHawk”

Able Flight

(L-R) Able Flight pilots Jorge Urrea, Jake Jeter, Jessica Scharle, Brad Jones and Sean O’Donnell

By Charles Stites-Executive Director of Able Flight

Able Flight has been called a lot of things since I founded it in 2006, but perhaps my favorite came from one of our pilots when he anointed this unique aviation nonprofit as the “little engine that could”. In its first five years Able Flight has kept its focus on its mission with dogged determination and single-mindedness. We set out to use aviation to change the lives of people with physical disabilities, and through them, to change the lives and perceptions of others. And that we have done. Continue reading “Able Flight”

Freedom Flight 2011

Sean O’Donnell and Heather Schultz

In January 2011, Able Flight pilots Heather Schultz and Sean O’Donnell  fulfilled a wish to give back what was given to them by helping wounded veterans become pilots. Beginning on a bitterly cold morning in Wilmington, Delaware, they flew Sean’s specially adapted airplane on a multi-city tour of a thousand miles to demonstrate to wounded veterans and others that paralysis or other disabilities are no barrier for them. Continue reading “Freedom Flight 2011”

Bahamas Habitat

(L-R) Dave Spangler, Steve Merritt, Dave Robertson, Matt Hansen, Ken DeYoung and Cameron King

Bahamas Habitat began a few years ago as a small group of U.S.-based pilots with a desire to volunteer their planes and skills to help the people of the islands of the Bahamas recover from the damage visited upon them by tropical storms. They organized “Fly In & Help Out” weekends, encouraging pilots of small airplanes to transport supplies and good will to the least fortunate of those who live on a chain of islands many see as paradise. Continue reading “Bahamas Habitat”