Thierry Pouille, president of Air Journey in Jupiter, Fla., has donated a Beechcraft Baron E55 to Bahamas Habitat for use in its mission work.
Since 1998, Air Journey directors have shared their joy of adventure with fellow pilots. They have shown them the joy of flying in their own plane in small groups across the world to destinations such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Canada, Central America, Europe, South America, and many others.
Pouille, the leading force behind Air Journey, has flown all over the world, including the US, most of the Caribbean islands, all of the countries of Central America, many countries in Europe, and parts of South America.
Air Journey and the Baron aircraft were first involved with Bahamas Habitat last September following the devastation of Hurricane Irene in The Bahamas. Through the direction of Neil Glazer, from Pilot Mall, they teamed up with Bahamas Habitat to bring supplies and help to the devastated Cat Island.
Prior to the donation, the Baron was the Pouille family aircraft since May 2000. She was used for travel to many beautiful destinations and exciting discoveries, according to Pouille. Thierry talks about the tremendous increase in his flying with all of the exotic journeys Air Journey created, leading to less and less personal aircraft use.
Thierry Pouille
“I realized the N63JL was just sitting on the tarmac under the elements being put to no good use,” he said. “I knew from my experience last September that Bahamas Habitat was the perfect new home for her bringing food and supplies to needy people.”
The aircraft is a 1971 Beechcraft Baron E55 equipped with King KFC 200 Flight Director/Autopilot, HSI, Garmin 430 GPS, VG Kit, Color Radar, Norton Radone, GAMI Injectors, and all stainless screws and fasteners.
“The work of our mission will be significantly benefited by this generous donation,” said John Armstrong, president of Bahamas Habitat. “We are sincerely grateful to Mr. Pouille and look forward to his continued involvement in the work of the ministry and what God has in store.”
“We are extremely excited to accept the generous donation of this aircraft. A veteran of many Bahamian flights, this aircraft participated in our August 2011 Hurricane Irene disaster relief airlift from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas. We intend to continue to utilize this aircraft to serve the needs of the people of the Bahamas and Haiti. We want to thank Thierry Pouille and Air Journey for enabling the continuing service to the people of the Bahamas and Haiti,” added Steve Merritt, Bahamas Habitat Treasurer and Chief Pilot.
In related news, Bahamas Habitat was recently named one of 20 finalists in the running for the Lightspeed Aviation Pilot’s Choice Award. The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation is in its third year of partnering with the aviation community to identify and support worthy aviation causes. The top five charities, as chosen by the aviation community, will receive a cash award for no less than $10,000 to help fulfill their mission.
Bahamas Habitat is a US-based Christian nonprofit organization supporting housing and disaster relief work in The Bahamas and Caribbean that also introduces pilots to mission flying opportunities. The organizations’ volunteers flew over 400 missions to Haiti following the devastating earthquake there.
For more information: BahamasHabitat.org
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