Michael Schneider runs Pilots to Rescue, a nonprofit that uses vintage aircraft to help people in crisis. Only one of their three planes flies right now because old aircraft break constantly and parts are nearly impossible to find. Keeping them airworthy costs enormous sums, but Schneider says the work fills him with purpose.
By far the hardest thing about Pilots to Rescue is keeping these planes up in the sky. They're basically relics, uh, utilizing old technology, and they break all the time. Uh, it's very hard to get parts and maintenance, and that's why we own 3 of them. But believe it or not, only one of the planes works right now. I would say after keeping the planes in the sky, the hardest thing of course is fundraising. Flying is not cheap, and it requires a lot of funds, uh, to purchase, insure, maintain and hangar these planes. Spreading good is so important to me because it gives you a great sense of fulfillment. I didn't even know that this is what I wanted to do in my life and that it's my passion. And I have countless miracles that come into my life that are— I can't explain. The only explanation I can give is that I give back, that I roll up my sleeves, I get involved in, uh, something that I'm passionate about, and I'm able to make a difference. This is truly one of the reasons we're here on this earth.
