Every Angel Flight NE mission is about more than getting a patient from Point A to point B. It’s about the connections that are made along the way.

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming longtime volunteer pilot Kley to our home base at Lawrence Municipal Airport as he arrived to transport repeat patient Jessica from Lowell, Massachusetts, to Pennsylvania for specialized treatment.

Jessica is an aviation enthusiast with dreams of earning her pilot’s license one day, so it seemed only fitting that she surprise Kley with a special thank-you gift, a beautifully 3D-printed model of his Navion aircraft. Kley joked that Jessica’s version was “much better looking” than his real airplane, but it was clear he appreciated the thoughtful gesture.

Because the mission departed from Lawrence, Kley also had the opportunity to meet our mission coordination and office team in person for the very first time.

“It was great to meet AFNE staff member Jonathan and the Angel Flight NE team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support both patients and volunteer pilots,” Kley shared.

Volunteer pilots like Kley generously donate not only their aircraft, fuel, and time, but also their compassion. Whether transporting a child to a life-saving appointment or helping a repeat patient continue treatment, they remind us that every mission carries hope.

To Kley, and to all of our incredible volunteer pilots, thank you for making a difference, one flight, one patient, and one act of kindness at a time.