Soaring Above Joplin: My First Helicopter Ride and a Love for Aviation

On October 15, 2013, while working at KOAM-TV, I was collaborating with Brandon Stokes on an aviation series he planned to air in November. That day, we had the chance to fly in a medical helicopter around Joplin, which was an amazing experience, especially since it was my first time in a helicopter. When I worked in Kansas City, our station had a news chopper for covering breaking news, and it was a fantastic tool for storytelling.

Looking back, I realize how much I love aviation. Whether it's flying for vacation or work, I’ve always enjoyed being in the air. Today, I’m even a licensed FAA drone pilot. I believe Brandon featured a drone pilot in the series, and we also flew in a small plane around Joplin as part of the project. Reflecting on that day in 2013, I loved how we captured incredible views of South Joplin from the sky.