General Aviation on a Mission: Wings of Hope Celebrates Volunteers, Launches Medical Flight

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience visited Wings of Hope, the global humanitarian nonprofit organization headquartered at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, on February 10 for a fun volunteer appreciation event - the 2026 Chili Cookoff! This annual winter gathering brings the warmth of comfort food and celebrates the work of the many volunteers who fulfill the Wings of Hope mission of "Changing and Saving Lives Though the Power of Aviation." The competition was tough, but the reigning champion, Beth Campbell, once again took home the blue ribbon with Mark Grobelny and Bill Hoffman taking second and third, respectively. 

During our visit, a Medical Relief and Air Transport (MAT) Program flight departed Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The MAT Program provides critical airlift for those needing regular treatments at specialty facilities in 26 states within 800 miles of St. Louis. Most treatment plans require repeated flights to cancer, orthopedic or cardiology centers over months or years, and the MAT Program covers the transportation and lodging for each trip. Flight schedules vary from week to week, with some days launching two flights. In 2024, 15 volunteer pilots flew 114 missions flying over 83,000 miles. 

The first MAT Program flight was made in 2003 using the single-engine, high wing Cessna 206 now offered as the spring raffle aircraft. The current aircraft fleet consists of two Piper Senecas and a Piper Navajo, twin-engine aircraft flying with two pilots, a flight nurse and/or doctor along with the patient and accompanying family member. Patients are usually ambulatory, but they can also be transported on a medical bed in the aircraft if necessary. Each volunteer flight crew brings a wealth of commercial flying experience and servant's spirit to every MAT flight. Current and new patients can apply for flights by contacting the Wings of Hope Flight Operations Department.