A young Hopkinsville pilot is using his experience in flying and motivation to help others to assist with relief efforts in North Carolina and Tennessee in the wake of storm damage from Helene.
Jacob Bealle developed an interest in flying by playing a video game on his phone. That turned into learning to fly through Microsoft Flight Simulator on his computer.
He flew at 14, did his first solo flight at 16, and got his private pilot’s license at 17 — all before graduating from Hopkinsville High School.
Now a student at Belmont University, Bealle has partnered with a small group of people to form Props for a Purpose, a non-profit group that helps fly in needed supplies and equipment to areas devastated by natural disasters.
For Bealle, this mission began right after the 2021 tornadoes ravaged areas of western Kentucky.
click to download audioThrough Props For A Purpose, nearly 60 pilots have volunteered their time, aircraft, and fuel to do the same for those in need in North Carolina and East Tennessee.
click to download audioBealle said disaster relief efforts are just part of the mission through Props for a Purpose, which also includes aviation for humanitarian causes, community outreach, animal rescue, and medical response.
Tyler Mosley is heading up the disaster relief efforts through a partnership between the John Toon Airport in Nashville and the Bowling Green Regional Airport. Bealle said a large group of pilots will be flying out next week to Asheville and east Tennessee with a large batch of supplies and equipment which will include a cargo plane through Legends Airways with a capacity of 7,000 pounds.
Bealle, who is helping coordinate this effort while a student at Belmont University in Nashville, has already made one flight to the storm-ravaged area.
click to download audioHe said there are supply drop-offs in Nashville and Bowling Green and student groups at Belmont and Western Kentucky University have also chipped in to have supply-gathering events
click to download audioTo learn more about how you can donate time or money to Props for a Purpose, send an email to props.purpose@gmail.com or visit their website HERE
