General Aviation Is Filled With Wonderful People Who Use Their Love Of Flying To Do Special Things

The good folks of Zenith Aircraft sent us this story, and we wanted to share it with our readers. It’s not exactly about sport aviation, but it does show what sport aviation can achieve when it’s put in the right hands. This is the story of how a little light sport airplane flew a long way to do a lot of good.

Jeff and Carol Badgero are missionaries with H.O.P.E. Missions who have been working in the country of Haiti over the past thirty years, bringing impoverished people hope and teaching them to improve their lives, drilling water wells and developing fish ponds.

They continuously see the need for a light aircraft with great STOL capabilities to fly medicine and medical personnel in mountainous areas where there are no clinics and no other access. Two years ago builder Tom and Lori Moore donated a STOL CH 701 to H.O.P.E. Missions. Jeff started to train himself and prepare the aircraft for the trip to Haiti, flying the Zenith STOL from Florida to Haiti.
 
Jeff writes: "I left land from Fort Pierce, Florida, on January 17th, my 39th wedding anniversary.  There were low ceilings (2,700 feet) and high clouds 9,000 feet plus, so I flew the first leg with a head wind, at 2,500 feet, and arrived at Freeport (The Bahamas) 2.5 hours later, where I cleared custom, fueled up and got a cruising permit."
 
The second leg was to Great Harbour (75 minutes) and on to Staniel Cay (Exuma) where Jeff spent the night with the local police officer.

"I made my way to Spring Point (Acklins) and got a ride to the gas station since there was no fuel at the airport. The gas station was closed but the attendant said he would fill my gas cans if I waited for the police to come, being cautious of drug runners.
 
"Once fueled up, I headed for Matthew Town (Great Inagua), flying over a long stretch of open water, and arriving as a storm was starting to build.

With only 110 miles to Haiti, I tried to file a flight plan by phone but wasn't able to get through. I cleared Bahama customs and headed for Haiti, flying at 5,500 and 7,500 feet. I tried to reach Miami or Haiti by radio but couldn't reach either. 40 knots out I communicated with an American Airlines captain, asking him to notify of my arrival. At 7,500 feet and 15 miles out I still had no contact with the tower, as there was a cloud bank in front of me that went from 2,000 to 10,000 feet.

 I decided to drop down as I didn't want to fly into the mountains of Haiti. I leveled off at 1,800 feet and the clouds dropped to the ocean... two or three minutes can seem like an eternity. I adjusted course to avoid the mountains and maintained my altitude, being swallowed by the clouds. When I broke out I could see the town and established radio contact."

All ended well, and Jeff added that if you are interested in their work, or have spare parts (such as a good three-blade composite prop) or a plane you would like to put to good use, please contact them. They are also looking for flight instructors. The long term plan is to teach the locals and give them this great airplane. Jeff Badgero, H.O.P.E. Missions, 160 Ravine Dr. NW, Kalkaska MI 49646.

(Images of Jeff Badgero and the plane he flew to Haiti provided by Zenith Aircraft)

FMI about Zenith Aircraft: www.zenithair.com