AirportBusiness Columnist
The day before Christmas Eve, Hendersonville (NC) Tribune newspaper ran a story that will reach the heart of everyone who loves and values general aviation.
The story started when Tyler Kilpatrick, a University of North Carolina-Asheville student, went to Cuernavaca, Mexico, about 53 miles south of Mexico City on a student exchange program. Tyler loved Cuernavaca and her host family, but she was brutally stabbed by a taxi driver, suffering lung punctures and serious injuries to other major organs. Her father came down to help his daughter through several weeks of critical hospital care.
Now we switch to one Mike Summey of Asheville. Mike is a story in and of himself. I wrote part of his story myself and it was published earlier this year in AOPA Pilot magazine. Mike is a self-made multimillionaire who flies a recently rebuilt—new engines, avionics and more—King Air.
After Tyler’s plight became public, Mike’s 27 year old son—a pilot himself—said, “Dad, we could bring them home for Christmas.” Mike quickly agreed and damned if they didn’t do it!
The next few days involved whirlwind negotiations between Mike and two governments. Eventually, with the help of Mike’s senator, and with special cooperation from Mexico, and trip charts donated by Jeppesen, all the arrangements were made. Mike and Jason even took a North Carolina physician, Dr. Robert Wells, with them after Wells first discussed Tyler’s condition with the Mexican physicians.
Mike, Jason, and Dr. Wells flew some 1,100 miles the first day overnighting at Brownsville, TX. The next day they flew 500 miles to Cuernavaca, picked up Tyler and flew back to Asheville, stopping in Brownsboro again for paperwork. As Mike told me, “It made for a long day.”
Mike tells me this was one of the most rewarding experiences with which he has ever been involved, and I can tell you that he’s been involved in a lifetime of rewarding experiences.
What a story!
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Jim Hackman–
Thanks for sending. As you say, there are many stories totally unknown by the public. I had a friend—a young female executive in New York City for a major worldwide corporation—who was dying of cancer. The corporation jetted her all the way to Huntsville, AL, to be with her family. Her boss and other execs later flew down for her funeral. One year after her death her boss called her mother just because he wanted to.
All of that from a cold, heartless corporation? No way.
Ralph Hood
Ralph, Evil corporations that the Guvmit loathes do good deeds. I was doing vacation crewing on a Citation II for an Ohio company. We were on call for the 10 yr old son of a hourly employee who needed a heart/lung transplant. If we were flying, Netjets had the football at company expense. The call came at 2AM and we flew the family to Pittsburg KAGC in :22 ground to ground. Direct- ATC as Lifeguard!
Company flew the family back and forth and finally brought the boy home after a successful surgery.
Lot’s of untold stories out there.
Jim
Rick Wolfer–
Thanks so much and I will keep that generous offer in mind.
Ralph Hood
I wish Mike & Jason would have contacted us; I would have provided our international flight support services free of charge for this Angel Flight. In fact I posted a note on their page (Angle Flight) stating we would help and assist where ever needed for these missions at a fraction of the cost normally charged for international flight support services and in many cases we’ll do it for free. Unfortunately we have never been contacted. We support ALL aircraft no matter the mission.
Rick, President, Global Trip Support, 702-491-5951
Kerry–
Thanks so much. Unfortunately, there are many such untold stories.
Ralph Hood
Ralph: Another good story of the GA community. I cousin arranged angel flights for over 10 years in Hampton Roads, and she could fill many hours of the deeds of sucessful flying businessmen and women that help the community without compensation or much noterity from the community, just the knowledge of helping their fellow citizens. Thanks for the story. Kerry Nothnagel
Clyde–
Thanks so much, old friend.
Ralph
Ralph,
A good story, well told.
Clyde
Kathy–
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m sure that Mike will appreciate your words.
Ralph Hood
More great things to say about Mike: even though he is a self-made millionaire, he is as unpretentious as the person next to you in the grocery line. In fact, if you live in Asheville you might just be in line chatting with Mike and would never know the success behind the man. I took a chance two years ago and asked Mike to speak to a Womens Real Estate Investor group. Much to my surprise and delight, Mike agreed and spent two hours educating us. It is wonderful to see people who have ‘made it to the top’ and still love to give back to the community. We are blessed to have the Summey family in Asheville.
God Bless you Mike. Its always good to give back and God sees what you are doing to help others even if nobody else does.I love to hear about Angel flights.
Scott–
You are so right–and Mike is part if that wonderful community.
Thanks for posting,
Ralph Hood
Alisa–
Well, bless your heart and thank you! How in the world did you find this Blog? I know your happy new year started a bit earlier this time.
Thanks so much for posting,
Ralph Hood
I am the mother of Tyler Kilpatrick.
I am so grateful to the Summey’s and Dr. Robert Wells for all that they have done for Tyler and her family.
Just so overwhelmed with all the love, support and prayers. Prayers is what kept Tyler alive and the family going
Tyler’s father and myself was there with her through out her stay. We all landed at the Asheville Airport and was welcomed by family and friends.
Again there is not enough words to describe how we feel as a family. Just tears of joy.
May God Bless All of You!
Alisa Dean
I am and always have been a lover of aviation. This is an awesome story and Mike sounds like a truly incredible man, much like many I’ve met in my aviation career. However, truth be told, this “Mission of Mercy” and many others are made possible by a vibrant General Aviation community and their aircraft!
Thanks GA
Steve Smith–
Thanks for your comment. I ‘preciate you.
Ralph Hood
It seems that the big carriers are always in the news,when GA is… and always has been the backbone of avaition. What a great story.
Dave–
It was my pleasure!
Thanks for posting,
Ralph Hood
That is a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing that !
Mike Pickett–
As usual, you’re spot on. And BTW, you don’t need a jet (as many people seem to think), to fly Angel Fights. I have a friend who flies many such flights with his C-172.
Thanx for posting,
Ralph Hood
Another star in the crown for General Aviation. This was an extraordinary gift in terms of time and expense, but it is duplicated on a smaller scale daily by hundreds of aircraft owners who donate their time and airplanes to fly Angel flight Missions. To learn more about this fine organization go to angelflightsoars.org or call Bernadette Darnell at 770 452 7958.