Volunteer Racks up Nearly 330,000 in Charitable Miles Transporting Those in Need

PALS SkyHope today announced that founder and President Joe Howley has hit the 1,000-flight milestone with the organization, marking 12 years of volunteering his aviation services for those in need. 

Howlye’s group includes nearly 500 general aviation pilots who volunteer their time, talents, and most importantly - their aircraft - to transport patients and veterans to medical treatments, retreats, and humanitarian missions. PALS SkyHope is a nonprofit organization that provides free air transportation to those in need by connecting such would-be passengers with an array of pilots who can get them right where they need to go. Whether it’s a trip for rare, specialized medical treatments or expertise, rehabilitative retreats, and morale-boosting getaways, PALS is there for those in need. 

Howley’s extensive flight log has seen him help a range of people and patients from all walks of life, granting passengers a speedy journey through the air to bypass a lengthy drive or impossible commercial flight conditions. “Whether it’s flying a baby with a congenital disorder to specialized care,” a PALS statement read, “a mother with cancer, or a veteran with PTSD, Howley has answered the call,” said Executive Director Donna Collins. Howley’s aircraft is perhaps one of the speediest among general aviation aircraft, making his services a hot commodity for patients unable to withstand an all-day affair in transit.

His Embraer Phenom 300 has traveled to 33 states and countries, across 329,000 miles over these past 12 years. Across all 1,000 flights, Howley helped 1,681 passengers reach their destinations. The milestone flight saw a group of veterans journey to an Atlanta Braves game thanks to a partnership with Major League Baseball to celebrate and bring together veterans.

“Flying to help others is what I love to do. The 1,000-flight milestone is not just a milestone for me, but also for PALS SkyHope. It’s a testament to a great organization. I’m grateful to have had the time and resources to be able to do this. I’ve learned so much from the patients and military veterans I have flown, so I say thank you to them,” Joe said at a recent Town Hall for PALS SkyHope pilots.

“We are so excited to celebrate Joe’s 1,000th flight. We are humbled and inspired by Joe’s passion and dedication,” said Donna Collins, Executive Director of PALS SkyHope.

FMI: www.skyhope.org