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Home » News » Teen Pilot Flies Critical Supplies To Rural Hospitals
News

Teen Pilot Flies Critical Supplies To Rural Hospitals

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 8, 2020November 14, 2023 6 Comments

a small airplane on a runway

TJ Kim is too young to drive alone, but he can fly…and he has put his pilot’s license to good use, delivering critical medical supplies to rural hospitals.

16-year-old Kim lives in Virginia and delivers supplies including masks, gloves, gowns, and other protective gear to rural hospitals throughout the Commonwealth.

Kim told the AP that these smaller hospitals feel like they have been left behind:

“They kind of conveyed to me that they were really forgotten about. Everyone was wanting to send donations to big city hospitals. Every hospital is hurting for supplies, but it’s the rural hospitals that really feel forgotten.”

Rather than use the epidemic to relax on the couch or enjoy time off, Kim and his family began Operation SOS — Supplies Over Skies.

His latest mission was to Winchester, VA, where he delivered:

  • 3,000 gloves
  • 1,000 head covers
  • 500 shoe covers
  • 50 non-surgical masks
  • 20 pairs of protective eyewear
  • 10 concentrated bottles of hand sanitizer

He’s starting “local” but as time passes, he is expanding his reach to other area in Virginia and may look outside state lines as well.

Dave Powell, Kim’s flight instructor, heaped praises upon him:

“For TJ to be more concerned with the needs of others in his melancholy state just reiterated to me how amazing this young man is.”

Kim’s father sources the supplies, all of which are donated to these hospitals. Kim says this, not the flying, is the hardest part of the mission. As someone in that line of work, I can certainly attest to that.

CONCLUSION

What a heartwarming story. Kim hopes to attend the Naval Academy and I’m sure he has now has a perfect topic for his personal statement, with plenty of media coverage to attach to it. Kim is another example of people using the current crisis to help others during their time of need. His work is inspiring.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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6 Comments

  1. George Reply
    April 8, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    Outstanding young man.

  2. christ Reply
    April 8, 2020 at 11:37 pm

    straight shot into college — not a bad idea to use this time to add something meaningful to his resume

  3. Christian Reply
    April 9, 2020 at 12:22 am

    “As someone in that line of work, I can certainly attest to that.” How do you mean? You wear a lot of hats from what you’ve said but procuring hospital relief supplies would be a surprise.

    • Matthew Reply
      April 9, 2020 at 12:29 am

      That’s exactly what I do. Indeed, one of my many hats, but the biggest hat right now.

      • Christian Reply
        April 9, 2020 at 1:11 am

        I had no idea. Good for you and genuine thanks.

  4. Pingback: New Perk For Keeping Premium Cards, Discounts For Car Insurance, Credit Card Concierge Found Toilet Paper, & More! - Your Mileage May Vary

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