Oct. 8, 2024
Gaithersburg, MD, pilot, cybersecurity sales expert Luis Quiñones has been flying volunteer missions for various groups for several years.
But in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Quiñones wasn’t flying one of his typical humanitarian missions for medical patients in need – instead, he was carrying critically needed supplies into the heavily damaged state of North Carolina.
“I’ve loved flying since I was a little boy, and I love having a mission,” Quiñones said. He’d seen a Facebook conversation about Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based 501(c)3 focused on matching aviation assets with communities impacted by natural disasters, and quickly signed on to lend a hand.
In a typical week, Quiñones might fly his Mooney M20J 205 in support of his Maryland-based cybersecurity company. But before the sun was up on Oct. 2., Quiñones and the Mooney were posted up on the ramp at Montgomery County Airpark (GAI) outside Washington, DC.
“I got some coffees and something to eat, and started loading the plane right away,” Quiñones said, noting that a short time later, he was airborne. When he touched down, he quickly realized the scope of the damage left in Helene’s wake.
“It was amazing to see the U.S. military. doing missions there,” he said. “They were flying Chinook helicopters – I had never seen that. They had a chain of supplies going to the helicopters, loading them and going places, but it was also incredible when I was coming in.”
Quiñones said the mission is one he will never forget, adding that he felt humbled by the opportunity to be of service to his fellow citizens. “I think we are very lucky that we live in a nation that offers an unparalleled freedom to fly, and it’s important to honor that freedom by giving back.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.