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Journey
Jan 12, 2025•6 min read
Flight Log: Overcoming the Flames of Compton
A personal reflection on the 1992 Los Angeles riots that destroyed my first store, and the journey of building anew in Montana.
BY MICHAEL BURKS
READMontana Mike — Michael Burks
Missoula, MontanaContact
300+ VOLUNTEER MISSIONS
THE JOURNEY & VENTURES OF
Michael Burks— Montana Mike
Entrepreneur, volunteer pilot, and community builder. Completing over 300 free medical transport missions to help families across the Western United States.
300+
MISSIONS FLOWN
10+
AWARDS & HONORS
9+
Ventures Built
LOG NO. 300
Michael Burks, Volunteer PilotKMSO / MISSOULA
46.8721° N
Documenting Hope
Cannes & IndieFest Humanitarian Award Winner
Our short documentary has received over 24 national and international awards including Two prestigious world Humanitarian Awards from the Cannes World Film Festival and IndieFest World Film Festival. It also received numerous "Best Inspirational Film Awards" from the Los Angeles Film Awards, Vegas Movie Awards and The Filmcon Awards, as well as Top 5 Nominations in London, Paris, Tokyo, Rome, and Milan, Italy. We are so proud and honored to show you this documentary aimed at spreading the wonderful news of volunteer medical flying.
We truly hope you are touched by the courageous story of Mya and her mother Carly, for their strength and resolve to never give up, no matter what odds are put in front of them...
So come follow Mya Toone and her mom Carly Brown, as they meet volunteer pilot Michael Burks in a story of true compassion, love, and unsung heroism. Follow along with Michael, Mya, and Carly as you learn about volunteer medical flights — bringing together dedicated pilots to help families during the tragedies that consume so many lives.
Imagine a family member becomes ill or is even born with an affliction. Medical bills roll in, one after another. But there is a doctor or medical treatment facility that can help your loved one. The catch? This facility is hundreds of miles away. Enter volunteer pilot Michael, and all of the other volunteer pilots. At no cost to you, they fly you and your loved one to what could be a life-saving treatment.
"I want to be able to use all the blessings that I have to help other people."
Behind the Lens
In 2018, Joe McNeal, a retired Law Enforcement Officer turned actor and producer, saw a post on social media about volunteer medical transport. After contacting Pilot Michael Burks and discovering the desperate need for more pilots, Joe decided to produce a documentary to help promote and recruit.
Consulting with actress and film producer Galyn Gorg (who spent a lifetime in the TV and Movie industry alongside her documentary-producer parents Alan and Gwyn Gorg), Joe embarked on a 3-year project.
This short documentary became a labor of love for all involved. Our hope is that everyone will share this to recruit pilots, inform families of this free travel option, and possibly help promote new volunteer medical flight initiatives worldwide!
Festival Results & Awards Won
Complete Accolades for the Documentary
World Film Festival in Cannes
- WonAward Best World Humanitarian Short
- NominatedAward Best Inspirational Film
IndieFEST Film Awards
- WonAward of Excellence Special Mention Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
- WonAward of Merit Special Mention Disability issues
- WonAward of Distinction World Humanitarian Award
Best Film Awards
- NominatedHonorable Mention Best Indie Short Film
WorldFest Houston
- WonGold Remi Award Motivational Film & Video Productions
Best Shorts Competition
- WonAward of Merit Disability Issues
Hollywood International Golden Age Festival
- NominatedAward Best Documentary
Hollywood On The Tiber Film Awards
- WonJury Award Best Short Documentary
- WonAward Best Short Documentary
Impact Docs Awards
- WonAward of Merit Documentary Short
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards
- WonLAIFF Spring Award Best Documentary Short
Milan Arthouse Film Awards
- 3rd placeBest First Time Filmmaker Short Documentary
Tokyo International Short Film Festival
- 2nd placeHonorable Mention Message of Hope
Best Actor & Director Awards
Joe McNeal Universal Spectrums Entertainment
- WonPlatinum Award Best first time Director of a short film
- WonGold Award Best Director of an inspirational film
Depth of Field International Film Festival Competition
- WonAward of Excellence Best Inspirational Film
Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival
- WonExcellence Award Motivational/Inspirational
- WonExcellence Award Viewer Impact
- WonExcellence Award Human Spirit
The Foundation of Purpose
The Story of Montana Mike
Michael Burks — known to many as Montana Mike — is a Missoula-based entrepreneur, volunteer pilot, and community leader. Overcoming a deeply challenging childhood in California to build a staggering portfolio of regional businesses, Michael's journey is a powerful story of survival, faith, and redemption.
For Michael, entrepreneurship has never been just about profit; it is a platform for service. He views his business success as a vehicle to bless others, actively funding community initiatives and dedicating his time as a pilot to fly over 300 free medical transport missions for critically ill patients across the Western United States.
Michael Burks, Missoula, MT
9+
Ventures
The Story of Michael Burks
A Life in Motion
Biography Index & Ledger
Review the chapters of a career built on motion, bold decisions, service, and community reinvention. Click below to read the ledger entries.
Logbook Asset
Michael Burks — Flight Operations
CHAPTER LOG : instinct
Driven to Create
Instinct & Reinvention
In Montana, where communities are tight-knit and reputations are earned over time, Michael Burks has spent his life in motion—building, risking, giving, and starting over when necessary.
Long before his name became associated with business ventures, hockey teams, and philanthropy, Burks was driven by a simple instinct: create something that matters. That instinct would come to define a career that never followed a straight line, but instead unfolded through bold decisions, setbacks, and reinvention.
LEDGER ARCHIVE SHEET
Michael Burks
Enterprise With a Mission
View All VenturesMissions & Ventures
Volunteer Medical Flights
"I love flying and I love helping... I want to be able to use all the blessings that I have to help other people."
300+ free medical transport flights.
Serving remote communities.
Cannes Humanitarian Award, 2021.
FLIGHT LOG
APPROVED
PILOT:M. BURKS
COST:$0.00
Volunteer Medical Flights
VolunteerVolunteer pilot flying 300+ free medical transportation missions for families in need across the Western United States.
LEDGER ENTRY
Big Sky Specialized Carriers
ActiveA Missoula-based regional trucking and freight logistics corporation recognized on Entrepreneur magazine's "Hot 500" list.
LEDGER ENTRY
Missoula Maulers
LegacyA Tier III junior ice hockey franchise in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL).
LEDGER ENTRY
Butte Hockey (Butte Cobras / Butte Irish)
LegacyA secondary junior ice hockey franchise bringing competitive hockey to Butte, Montana.
LEDGER ENTRY
Missoula Phoenix
LegacyA semi-professional regional American football team franchise based in Missoula.
LEDGER ENTRY
HockeyWolf
ActiveA retail sporting goods specialty store specializing in regional hockey and lacrosse gear.
LEDGER ENTRYA Visual Journey of Giving
Aviation & Venture Filmstrip
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 1AAFW-300
Pre-flight check, Missoula KMSO
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 2AAFW-301
At the controls of the Beechcraft Baron
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 3AMT-1999
Relocating to Big Sky Country, 1999
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 4AMK-FAM
Family moments in Missoula
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 5AMHL-2012
Missoula Maulers team photo rinkside
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 6AAFW-302
Volunteer medical flight patient boarding
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 7AAFW-AWARD
Distinguished Volunteer Pilot awards wall
KODAK SAFETY FILM 5063TX 400
▸ 8AMAG-2021
Missoula Lifestyles cover feature
Insights & Stories
Latest Journal Entries
Aviation
Feb 28, 2025•8 min read
Medical Flight 300: The Faces of Hope at 10,000 Feet
Looking back on my 300th volunteer medical transport flight, carrying courage, hope, and the incredible families who inspire me every single day.
BY MICHAEL BURKS
READ
Film & Media
Mar 15, 2025•5 min read
Documenting Hope: Carrying Cannes' Humanitarian Spirit
Reflections on the award-winning documentary by Joe McNeal, the Humanitarian Award in France, and how it raised awareness for volunteer flying.
BY MICHAEL BURKS
READLog entry: Bottom Line
Sign the Guestbook
Have comments on my aviation logbook, questions about community development in Missoula and Butte, or need connection regarding volunteer command flights? Write a line in the digital ledger below.
