Rescue plane arrives in Saint-Louis, as training for medical missions begins | Saint-Louis news headlines

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) – A plane meant to save thousands of lives has arrived in St. Louis as part of a local organization called Wings of Hope, but its mission only begins here.

The new seaplane will soon be a lifeline for those who need it.

“It will perform landings that will reduce the boat trip from 14 hours to 30 or 40 minutes,” said Mark Palm, CEO of Samaritan Aviation.

St. Louis-based Wings of Hope has partnered with Samaritan Aviation for over a decade to save thousands of lives.

“This aircraft will be based here for the next few months as we conduct in-flight training with our two new pilots who have joined us as they prepare to move their families to Papua New Guinea,” Palm said.

Each pilot and his family spend two years living in some of the world’s most remote villages and without their help, patients would be forced to canoe for days to the nearest health services.

“It would be like driving from St. Louis to Denver to get to the nearest hospital,” said Bret Heinerich, CEO of Wings of Hope. “Imagine having a baby, being in labor and going on a boat trip that long. Having a broken bone. Samaritan Aviation is able to reduce that significantly.”

It’s exhausting work, and the new seaplane will create a fleet of three planes in the area, allowing these workers not only to respond to emergency calls, but also to deliver supplies. All flights are free and Wings of Hope operates in 50 countries. The association has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. For more information on how you can continue their mission, click here.