FLYING Magazine
Props For A Purpose, a U.S.-based nonprofit humanitarian aviation organization created in 2024, has acquired its first dedicated aircraft— a Tecnam P2012 Traveller.
“Soaring to Serve” is the motto of the Christian faith-based organization that boasts a nationwide network of 500 pilots and other aviation professionals that provide disaster relief, search and rescue, humanitarian response, and animal rescue using volunteers with privately owned aircraft.
According to Jacob Bealle, CEO of Props For A Purpose, the organization began in December of 2021 when devastating tornadoes tore through communities in western Kentucky where he lived.
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“At the time, I made a simple Facebook post asking if any local pilots would be willing to help move supplies into the affected areas,” Bealle said. “The response was incredible. We began collecting supplies at our local FBO in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and volunteer pilots used their own aircraft to fly them into surrounding communities in need.”
Bealle said the organization grew and evolved, assisting with relief efforts both in the U.S. and internationally.
“We responded to the flooding in Kerrville, Texas, [in 2025] transporting search and rescue personnel and resources into the region,” he said. “We also supported Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica [both in ’25], utilizing aviation to move critical supplies and personnel. Outside of major disasters, our work continues year-round. We coordinate flights for medical patients who need access to care away from home, transport medical personnel and supplies when needed, and conduct other humanitarian and animal-rescue missions through our volunteer pilot network.”
The organization evolved into a 501(c)(3), and since then has flown some 300 missions to date.
Bealle called the acquisition of the P2012 Traveller a major step forward for the group, as it no longer must strictly rely on volunteer aircraft.
“For the first time, we have a dedicated aircraft that gives us the capacity, flexibility, and efficiency to respond to a much wider range of missions…,” he said. “The Traveller allows us to respond faster, carry more, and support our partners in ways we simply could not before. This is the beginning of a new chapter for Props For A Purpose, and we are proud to introduce Servant One as a platform built to serve others.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Tecnam team and everyone who has helped make this next chapter possible, and we are excited to see how many lives can be impacted through this aircraft.”
About the Aircraft
The Tecnam P2012 is a twin-engine design known for its easily configurable cabin, making it a good choice for entities that need flexibility for both passenger transport and cargo operations.
Props For a Purpose acquired the aircraft through a 10-year-long term lease agreement with AeroSpring Leasing, a national company that brokers both aircraft and aviation training devices.
“I’m incredibly proud that AeroSpring has the opportunity to play a part in the mission of Props For A Purpose,” said Josh Colton, managing partner at AeroSpring Leasing, said in a news release. “Aircraft are remarkable tools, but what matters most is what we choose to do with them. This P2012 will be used to reach communities in times of need, support disaster-relief efforts, transport patients, and help people when aviation can make a real difference in their lives. Knowing that an aircraft we acquired will be serving that kind of purpose makes this transaction especially meaningful to me. We’re honored to partner with Props For a Purpose and Tecnam to help make that mission possible.”
The mission of Props For A Purpose is the kind of flying the Tecnam P2012 was designed for, according to Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 special mission platforms sales and business development manager.
“The Traveller was designed with versatility and reliability at its absolute core, making it the perfect platform to seamlessly switch between passenger transport, cargo, and medical relief,” Sferra said. “Knowing that a Tecnam aircraft will be deployed as Servant One to save lives, provide hope, and support communities in need is the greatest testament to our design philosophy. We are proud to support this incredible mission.”
How Pilots Can Get Involved
Pilots who wish to participate in Props For A Purpose disaster-relief missions need to meet the following requirements:
- Valid and current private pilot certificate or higher, with the appropriate class/type ratings and endorsements for the aircraft being flown
- Instrument rating
- Current third-class medical certificate or higher
- At least 250 hours of PIC experience
- Twenty-five hours make and model for single-engine aircraft
- Seventy-five hours make and model for turbine and multiengine aircraft
- Fifty hours PIC within the previous 12 months, which may be waived with a recent flight review or completion of a WINGS phase within the previous three months
- Appropriate liability insurance