Our Volunteers
Northwoods AirLifeline is a non-profit organization of volunteers from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin who donate their time and aircrafts to help patients and their families with urgent medical needs for logistic services not found locally.
Since our founding in 1989, over 2200 missions have been flown to destinations throughout the Upper Midwest, all at no cost to the individual.
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Our Pilots
Kneeling: Ryan Holt & Tom Sullivan
Pictured left to right: Bryan Granholt, Garrett Zittlow, Walt Charter, Bruce Rutter, Pete Granquist, Adam Lambert, Dustin Kurath, Jesse Bell, Aaron Tuinstra, Adam Michaud.
Our Aircraft
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
Our single engine plane is a 1985 Turbo Normalized A36 Bonanza. This plane is also certified for flight in known icing conditions (FIKI), is rated for instrument flight, and has a built in oxygen system for patient safety when needed. With a rear loading passenger door this plane allows comfortable access for patients with limited mobility. Pilots flying the organizational owned airplanes have all been checked out in the planes, are high performance and Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) rated, meet all currency requirements for the planes and flight regimes, and have at least double the 500 flight hour minimum required by most mercy flight organizations.
Cessna 310
We’re excited to announce that thanks to several generous donors, Northwoods Airlifeline was recently able to purchase a second aircraft! The “new” aircraft, a 1968 Cessna 310, is equipped with two engines for added safety during our frequent Great Lakes crossings. State-of-the-art avionics have been installed, making this a pilot-friendly plane to fly, but it is not perfect. We need your help to replace the worn-out deicing boots, complete some body work, and repaint the exterior. Please consider a donation of any size to help us keep flying.
Officers:
- Bruce St. Onge – President / Pilot
- Jesse Bell – Vice President / Secretary
- Beth Sullivan – Treasurer
Board Members:
- Bruce St. Onge – President / Pilot
- Tom Sullivan – Immediate Past President
- Teresa Louys – P.R. / Fundraising Coordinator
- Lee Rowe – Lion’s Club Representative
- Ryan Holt – Pilot
- Dennis Whitehead – Pilot
- Adam Lambert – Pilot
- Ron Knutson – Pilot
- Aaron Tunistra – Pilot
- Pete Granquist – Pilot
- Bruce Rutter – Chief Pilot
Tom & Beth Sullivan
I’ve been involved with NWALL since 1991 when Bob Larson, our founder, became partners with me and two others in our newly constructed hangar. I started participating in med flights in 1991, and performed my TRUE first in 1996, a heart transplant flight in the middle of the night in my M20F Mooney from Iron Mountain to Milwaukee.
I’ve held virtually every position within the organization, but have been flight coordinator for the majority of my time with NWALL, getting relief/breaks when others would cover it for significant time periods.
I find the rewards of helping patient’s in need at critical medical challenges in their lives helps keep MY LIFE in perspective, realizing how many can’t look forward in life with confidence while I remain relatively healthy.
Beth has been a lifetime supporter, giving up time with me while I perform our mission, since my early involvement. Recently, about 4 years ago, she took over the Treasurer’s position and has been intimately involved with NWALL since.
We both hope to continue serving for the foreseeable future, supporting this great organization
Adam Lambert
Who is Adam Lambert? Adam Lambert is one of Northwoods Airlifeline pilots who has Spent his entire life living and serving in the UP. Adam is God fearing man, Husband of 23 years and father of three and “Papa” of two grandkids.
He’s a third generation Pilot who has grown up in the world of General Aviation. In fact, Adam’s dad Ken Lambert, was one of the original pilots for Northwoods in the late 80’s early 90’s! His day job is a business Owner/Franchisee for Domino’s Pizza for over 20 years. Currently operating in 19 cites across the UP and WI, along with some locations down state.
He has been coaching Varsity Volleyball for Escanaba the last 7 years Member and on Leadership team for the Delta County Dive Rescue Team and also a Auxiliary Marine Patrol for the Delta County Sheriff Team.
On his free time, he loves burning fossil fuels! Side-by-sides, motorboats, dirt bikes, motorcycles and classic cars. He loves to serve others and tries to make sure all those around him are safe and comfortable in whatever they may be doing…
Adam is proud to be part of the Northwoods Pilots team and is honored to be able to help those who should use his services…
Jesse Bell
Flying for Northwoods AirLifeline has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world helping people who desperately need a lift while sharing my love of flying airplanes.
I started flying with Northwoods in 2019 and currently serve as Vice President and Secretary. I’m a commercial pilot and flight instructor, but my day job is working as a financial planner.
Dennis Whitehead
Bob Larson, NWALL’s founder, asked me to start flying for our organization in 1998. Since that time I’ve had the honor of flying over 400 missions.
I live in Sagola Township and work two part-time jobs: at Kubick Aviation in Kingsford, and in the emergency department at UPHS-Portage in Hancock.
Lee Rowe
I have been a member of the Gwinn Lions Club for many years, and a member of the NWALL board. I live in Gwinn with my husband Bill. We support NWALL because we have a friend who was transported by them to Madison for a double transplant over 20 years ago. She is still doing well today. We are impressed with the dedication of the pilots and their willingness to give off their time, sometimes their planes, to serve those in need. They are a great group, and we are proud to be a part of that.
Our Sponsors
Big Thank you for these great sponsors.
