your mission is our mission

Popescu is a commercial fixed-wing and helicopter pilot and is the Chief Pilot at Hope From Above.  

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.

Prior 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.

Cordero is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability with a focus in energy, materials and technology.

While at ASU, Cordero was a NCAA Division I student athlete on the Men’s wrestling team. His community involvement consists of serving as the representative of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, performing an internship with nonprofit Project Cure and participated in the National Hispanic Business Association Internship program where he had a petroleum engineering internship with the Bureau of Land Management. He also is an active volunteer for Latino Pilot Association where he serves as a tutor and mentor for high school students and is a volunteer youth wrestling coach. 

Cordero attended Airline Transport Pilot Flight School in Scottsdale, AZ and received his flight ratings. He holds over 2000 hours of flight time.

As the Bear Pilot, Cordero supports WW2 experience flights under the Make-A-Wish initiative and volunteers for various nonprofit missions for Hope From Above.

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 medical consultant to the team and all flight operations.

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. 

He 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. He 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.

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.