your mission is our mission
our wolfpack team does what it takes to complete your mission
From searching for a loved one during a natural disaster to transporting organ donations to remote areas of the world, our team of highly-trained flight, medical, field trauma, tracking, and SAR operations experts inspire hope when disaster strikes.
We’ve seen the devastating effects these disasters can have on our lives. Witnessing the ravage of the 2020 California wildfires, our team saw an opportunity to support communities and individuals in need all over the world.
We are a disaster relief 503C non-profit organization. And with aviation as our primary transportation, we’re able to find your loved one or transport your medical supplies in less time with less risk.
We believe everyone deserves to feel hope in the face of disaster, so we make your mission our mission.
Dragos Michael Popescu
Dragos Michael 'Wolf' Popescu is the Chief Pilot and Officer of Hope From Above. Dragos (Michael) ‘The Wolf’ Popescu is the Technical Lead on Rocket Engine Control Systems. He supports the Lunar Lander Guidance and Control System development and the HALO initiatives under the NASA Artemis program.
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Popescu is a commercial fixed-wing and helicopter pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
He is currently pursuing his PhD in Systems Engineering – Machine Learning from the University of Arizona; he already holds a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on entrepreneurship. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona. While working and supporting non profit organization, Popescu is also a graduate student mentor serving on various Google Lunar Xprize and the Phoenix Mars Lander as well as Aviation Aerospace Programs including engines, power systems, data communication, and avionics design/integration. Popescu is also an Alumni of the McGuire Center of Entrepreneurship where he completed new venture simulation for several startups and non-profit initiatives.
Parallel to being involved in non-profit work, Popescu served as a subject test pilot, providing human factors evaluation and design guidance for various advanced avionics technology programs including cockpit touch screen and voice recognition initiatives. He holds several patents in the areas of aircraft precision navigation, power systems, and mechanical systems. Popescu's latest research addresses the next level of automation in aerospace systems under machine learning protocols.
For Hope From Above, Popescu leads all non-profit activities including logistical planning, disaster relief, community and charity outreach, as well as all WWII Experience Activities. Popescu is the Wolf Pilot of the Hope From Above Crew.
Cornel Popescu
Cornel Popescu is currently a resident physician and has a master's degree in public health. His background includes working and volunteering with emergency medical services, wilderness medicine, and search and rescue.
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Cornel has participated in multiple presentations in the field of orthopedic medicine and injury, emergency medicine, and preventative medicine.
His EMT background has allowed him to work along with various fire department crews. He is trained to respond to emergency situations and perform lifesaving techniques. At the same time, the patient is being transported to a treatment facility while continuing with treatment as part of the intaking emergency medical team. Throughout his education, training, and experiences, Cornel has assisted and handled respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies. Most recently, Cornel was the co-founder of Operation Pegasus, which delivered over 15 tons of PPE, food, water, and medical equipment to the Navajo Nation at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Cornel has been working in remote areas of Alaska in various medical missions with local EMS and public health leaders. When not involved in the medical or public health sector, Cornel enjoys spending time with his family, dogs, and anything related to the outdoors.
To Cornel, Hope From Above offers the opportunity for versatile functionality, engaging of heart and mind, working as a medical support officer to missions ranging from re-supply needs and the WW2 experience dedicated to offering terminally ill children the opportunity to be a pilot for the day.
As the Elephant of the Hope From Above crew, Cornel serves as Chief Medical Consultant to the team and all flight operations.
Bruce Irving
Bruce Irving is a CFI, MEI, CFII, IGI, Gold Seal Flight Instructor, and FAA 141 Senior Check Airman. He received his private and instrument ratings at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and has been a professional flight instructor for the last 8 years, doing what he loves to do.
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Bruce has trained pilots for private, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings logging 6,000 hours of instruction.
Bruce loves helping young people learn and experience the amazement and joy of flying. Hope From Above offers Bruce the perfect opportunity to fulfill his desire to give back in a meaningful way. Bruce is the Lion Pilot of the Hope from Above Crew and provides operational support to all mission logistics.
Jeff Hawkes
Jeff Hawkes is a First Officer at Envoy Air on the Embraer 170/175 aircraft, where he assists in conducting passenger flights safely and efficiently and assists the captain in all aspects of flight operations and tasks.
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Jeff is a Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor with multiple instructor ratings, including Certified Instrument Instructor, Multi-Engine Instructor, and Certified Instrument Ground Instructor. He was a check airman at a large 141 flight school, where he taught and evaluated hundreds of flight students preparing for FAA check rides. Jeff attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Before becoming a pilot, Jeff worked as a celebrity assistant for many years for a high-profile actor in Los Angeles; he worked on many movies, including Twilight and Water for Elephants. Jeff then became a Realtor in California before moving to Scottsdale, where he assists clients with home purchases, sales, and leases.
Jeff is the Hawk Pilot of the Hope From Above crew. He completes missions under the WW2 Experience and provides highly valuable experience to mission planning and operations for all other functions.
Christian Beal
Christian Beal is an airline pilot for Envoy Air Inc (American Eagle), typed on the Embraer 175. He is a certified flight instructor, holding both a multi-engine and single-engine instructor rating and an advanced instrument instructor rating with over 1500 hours of general aviation experience and over 1000 hours of part 121 experience.
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Beal has a bachelor’s of science in global aviation from Utah Valley University, where he graduated summa cum laude and is a member of phi theta kappa.
Before entering the aviation industry, Beal owned and operated a construction company in the greater Phoenix area for 12 years. And before joining Envoy Air Inc, he was a check-airman for a part 141 flight school in Phoenix, AZ.
Beal and his wife have three children, and in his free time, he enjoys traveling with them, the outdoors, and trying as many new foods as he can find.
Christian is eager to give back to a nonprofit organization such as Hope From Above as it fulfills his goal of supporting those children who want to experience flight and the joy it brings. Sharing and providing the opportunity to fly is a passion and everyone should be afforded the chance to feel the freedom of flight. Christian is the Tiger in the Hope From Above crew lineup and conducts flights for the organization’s WW2 experience initiative.
how can you get involved?
Pilot a mission
Are you a pilot? Volunteer for one of our small-scale disaster relief missions or our WWII experience in partnership with the Make-A-Wish foundation.
MEDIC VOLUNTEER
Do you have EMT or field medic experience? We need your skills on our global rescue and disaster relief missions.
Make a Donation
Your generous donations provide hope to everyone we serve. They’re tax-deductible and help fund numerous types of missions.