Behind every LifeLine Pilots mission is a volunteer using their aviation skills to help someone access the care they need. We’re proud to recognize the recipients of our 2026 Pilot Awards for their exceptional contributions to our mission.
🏆 Pilot of the Year: Jason Smoker (Indiana)
🏆 Wanda Whitsitt Founder’s Award: Ken Reily (Minnesota)
🏆 Hangar of Honor Award: Will Minnette (Michigan)
🏆 Blue Sky Award: Mike Quist (Wisconsin)
🏆 Special Recognition Award: John Greco (Pennsylvania)
While every LifeLine Pilots volunteer plays an important role in our mission, these individuals are being recognized for their contributions over the past year. Through missions, mentorship, recruitment, leadership, and collaboration across the public benefit flying community, they have helped expand access to care and strengthen our organization.
🏆 2026 Pilot of the Year:
Jason Smoker (Indiana)
The Pilot of the Year Award honors an outstanding volunteer who flew the greatest number of mission legs, flight hours, and nautical miles during the previous year.
Jason joined LifeLine Pilots just days before the start of fiscal year 2025 and immediately put his aviation skills to work helping others. During the year, he completed 45 flight legs, logging 134.2 flight hours and traveling 10,372 nautical miles in support of patients and families accessing medical care.
Flying his King Air, Jason helped make long-distance medical travel more accessible for many passengers. His compassion, generosity, and commitment to service embody the mission of LifeLine Pilots.
🏆 2026 Wanda Whitsitt Founder’s Award:
Ken Reily (Minnesota)
The Wanda Whitsitt Founder’s Award honors a pilot who has demonstrated an enduring, multi-year commitment to LifeLine Pilots through volunteer service, leadership, and unwavering support of our mission.
Since joining LifeLine Pilots in 2010, Ken has completed 53 flights, covering 12,927 nautical miles and logging more than 192 flight hours in service to patients and families. Beyond flying missions, Ken has served on the Board of Directors for 14 years, recently stepped into leadership of the Safety Committee, and helped update key pilot guidance to support the organization’s future.
Known for his expertise, thoughtful advice, and willingness to assist with difficult or last-minute flights, Ken represents the dedication and leadership that have strengthened LifeLine Pilots for years.
🏆 2026 Hangar of Honor Award:
Will Minnette (Michigan)
The Hangar of Honor Award recognizes a pilot who has gone above and beyond to help passengers in need, often stepping forward for challenging, last-minute, or extraordinary missions.
A LifeLine Pilots volunteer for 13 years, Will has completed 50 flights, traveling 10,567 nautical miles and logging more than 190 flight hours while helping patients access specialized medical care.
Whether flying critical mission legs, responding to urgent requests, or finding alternative ways to ensure a passenger reaches a life-changing appointment, Will consistently demonstrates his commitment to those we serve. His dedication, dependability, and genuine care for passengers have made a lasting impact on countless families throughout the years.
🏆 2026 Blue Sky Award:
Mike Quist (Wisconsin)
The Blue Sky Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer who goes above and beyond the normal call of duty in support of LifeLine Pilots and our mission.
Since joining LifeLine Pilots in 2024, Mike has become a valued volunteer, advocate, and connector within the public benefit flying community. Based at Kenosha Regional Airport, he regularly supports mission flights, assists with pilot recruitment efforts, and helps connect LifeLine Pilots with new partners and opportunities.
Mike also hosted a successful pilot recruitment event in Wisconsin, sharing his experience with fellow pilots and helping inspire others to use their skills to help patients access essential medical care. Mike helps expand awareness of LifeLine Pilots, strengthening our ability to fulfill our mission.
🏆 2026 Special Recognition Award:
John Greco (Pennsylvania)
The Special Recognition Award is presented to an outstanding volunteer or partner who supports and strengthens LifeLine Pilots beyond the footprint of our service region.
Based in Pennsylvania, John first became involved through public benefit flying partnerships and eventually joined LifeLine Pilots in 2022 after developing a special connection with one of our young passengers. Since then, he has completed 45 flight legs for LifeLine Pilots passengers, often flying challenging routes and helping fill difficult mission requests.
John routinely supports both Angel Flight East and LifeLine Pilots, serving as a bridge between programs and helping ensure patients can access the care they need. His spirit of collaboration, flexibility, and commitment to service demonstrates the power of working together for the greater good.
Please join us in congratulating these award recipients and thanking all of the volunteer pilots who generously donate their time, talent, aircraft, and resources to ensure distance is never a barrier to healthcare.
If you’re a pilot interested in joining our mission, visit www.lifelinepilots.org/volunteer to learn more.
To request a free medical flight or support LifeLine Pilots mission, call 1-800-822-7972 or visit www.lifelinepilots.org.