Angel flight

Theboys

Theboys

Line Up and Wait
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Theboys
Wondered if anyone on here is participating in angel flight. Was interested in learning more about it. Am planning on going to angel flight southeast meeting but thought I might get a broader opinion here.:yes:
 
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Heck yeah! Angel Flight and similar organizations like LifeLine Pilots. Adam Zucker is current president of Angel Flight East, Bruce Chien is a former board member of LifeLine Pilots, Ted DuPuis founded Cloud Nine Rescue, and many of us fly for the various organizations. There are probably other affiliations I'm unaware of or just not remembering at the moment. A good source for a listing of them is the Air Care Alliance, www.aircareall.org. I don't know of anyone here flying for AFSE, but that doesn't mean they aren't!

What are you interested in knowing? Specifics are tied to the particular organization, so their website is a good resource for answering questions like pilot requirements,etc.
 
I don't have any idea of how they work. Can you deduct any expenses? Do they book you often? How long are the legs? I've been interested for awhile and seems like a great way to help. Haven't seen anyone soliciting members so haven't had any exposure.
 
Theboys said:
I don't have any idea of how they work. Can you deduct any expenses? Do they book you often? How long are the legs? I've been interested for awhile and seems like a great way to help. Haven't seen anyone soliciting members so haven't had any exposure.
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http://www.angelflightse.org/pilots/pilot-faqs/
Flights are generally 300 nautical miles or less. They send out a weekly or daily email, and you select from that list any flights that you wish to take. Some pilots do only one flight per year, others do dozens. Consult a tax advisor for deductibility, but I decuct all of my direct expenses. I find it a very worthwhile endeavor.
 
I've often wondered about these. What is the reason that the patients need GA flights? I would think that light GA flying would be the last means of transportation considered for something time-sensitive like a doctor's visit.

I'm not being critical, I'm just really curious. If it really does help them, and isn't a novelty, I would like to get involved when I have the hours.
 
I went to the air charity site. It was fairly informative. I'm impressed with you guys donating your time and money for such a good cause. 300 miles would be great. That's about what I fly on a typical outing. Hour and half out and same back. That is easily doable.
 
Flights I have been involved in have included:
-2-year old boy needed regular appointments from a specialist for treatment of bilateral club feet.
- 6-year old girl had a blood disorder that affected her immune system and couldn't be around many people.
- couple coming to Chicago for cancer treatment.
- 2 sisters coming to spell their father as caregiver for their mother, who was battling cancer
...
 
bqmassey said:
I've often wondered about these. What is the reason that the patients need GA flights? I would think that light GA flying would be the last means of transportation considered for something time-sensitive like a doctor's visit.

I'm not being critical, I'm just really curious. If it really does help them, and isn't a novelty, I would like to get involved when I have the hours.
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Numerous reasons - one or more of the following:

1) There's no service nearby. Many of the patients, particularly in the West, are in rural areas or urban areas with no scheduled service. Driving to the medical facility can often take 6-12 hours each way

2) Not a good idea for them to be exposed to 100s of strangers in a confined aluminum tube.

3) They need O2 which is a real pain to deal with a commercial carrier.

4) There's a need to visit the medical facility on a regular & frequent basis, incurring huge costs if driving or even flying commercially. 10 people offering 1 GA flight each instead of the patient (and frequently someone accompanying them) 10 commercial flights.
 
What if weather sets in? Do you live early enough that you could resort to driving at the last minute? Do they miss the appointment?

What happens if you get stuck at your destination?
 
bqmassey said:
What if weather sets in? Do you live early enough that you could resort to driving at the last minute? Do they miss the appointment?

What happens if you get stuck at your destination?
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Safety is the first priority. We've canceled for weather before, and we will again. The patients understand that the flight may be canceled due to weather, mechanical, or medical reasons. In some instances, pilots have been known to purchase commercial tickets or even drive the patient, if that's feasible. Sometimes a pilot gets sick or the plane doesn't pass preflight. A call may go out for a last-minute volunteer. But the short of it is that they are not guaranteed to make it there at a particular time and it is possible that the appointment will need to be rescheduled. And yes, it's possible that weather may permit you to make an outbound leg to deliver the patient but then be unable to return to base. Just like in any other GA flying.

There's a good video over at AOPA's ASF that talks about the responsibilities of what is called "public benefit flying." http://flash.aopa.org/asf/volunteerpilots/index.cfm
 
And by definition, these are ALWAYS non-emergency medical transports. Even the blood transports. AF pilots and aircraft are not medical transports altho we are allowed to use the call sign "Angelflight xxx"
 
gprellwitz said:
Safety is the first priority. We've canceled for weather before, and we will again. The patients understand that the flight may be canceled due to weather, mechanical, or medical reasons. In some instances, pilots have been known to purchase commercial tickets or even drive the patient, if that's feasible. Sometimes a pilot gets sick or the plane doesn't pass preflight. A call may go out for a last-minute volunteer. But the short of it is that they are not guaranteed to make it there at a particular time and it is possible that the appointment will need to be rescheduled. And yes, it's possible that weather may permit you to make an outbound leg to deliver the patient but then be unable to return to base. Just like in any other GA flying.

There's a good video over at AOPA's ASF that talks about the responsibilities of what is called "public benefit flying." http://flash.aopa.org/asf/volunteerpilots/index.cfm
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Yea, all that makes me wonder if it's worth it to fly in light pistol singles when there's so much uncertainty... the whole "time to spare, go by air" mantra. I guess so, if people are still asking for flights.

I'd like to get involved some day, when I have the hours, but I'd probably stay away until I had an instrument rating and access to a pretty capable airplane.
 
murphey said:
And by definition, these are ALWAYS non-emergency medical transports. Even the blood transports. AF pilots and aircraft are not medical transports altho we are allowed to use the call sign "Angelflight xxx"
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I'd like to fly blood transports or something like that. Are the requirements lower?
 
bqmassey said:
I'd like to fly blood transports or something like that. Are the requirements lower?
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Not in AFWest. Find your local (state) wing, see when they have meetings and go talk to people. But not all wings have meetings. Find who are orientation pilots and talk to them about AF and the rules. Each AF has different rules. For example, AFW does not require instrument rating while AF East (I think) does. Since you're in Oregon, go to the AFWest website and lookup the Oregon wing for details and contacts.
 
murphey said:
And by definition, these are ALWAYS non-emergency medical transports. Even the blood transports. AF pilots and aircraft are not medical transports altho we are allowed to use the call sign "Angelflight xxx"
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I just received my AF pilot approval, but have not flown a mission yet and have a lot to learn about the org and how the process works. I read through the FAQ on the OK AF HQ page re: using the "Compassion xxx" callsign. It didn't say anything about an "Angelflight xxx" callsign.

I thought the "Compassion" callsign was generic in that it covered all of the Air Care Alliance (and maybe other) orgs who fly non-emergency medical charity missions. Seems better than having a callsign for each separate org if ATC's going to handle them all the same way.
 
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Jim_R said:
I just received my AF pilot approval, but have not flown a mission yet and have a lot to learn about the org and how the process works. I read through the FAQ on the OK AF HQ page re: using the "Compassion xxx" callsign. It didn't say anything about an "Angelflight xxx" callsign.

I thought the "Compassion" callsign was generic in that it covered all of the Air Care Alliance (and maybe other) orgs who fly non-emergency medical charity missions. Seems better than having a callsign for each separate org if ATC's going to handle them all the same way.
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Do a search for "call sign" and "angrl flight" for details. At one of the busiest GA airports in the country AFW flights usually get bumped to the head of the line. Rob B, are you around? Rob's the Oregon wing leader and your best contact.
 
bqmassey said:
Yea, all that makes me wonder if it's worth it to fly in light pistol singles when there's so much uncertainty... the whole "time to spare, go by air" mantra. I guess so, if people are still asking for flights.

I'd like to get involved some day, when I have the hours, but I'd probably stay away until I had an instrument rating and access to a pretty capable airplane.
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As Grant said, I am president of Angel Flight East. I'd encourage you to contact Angel Flight West, which is a fantastic organization with an absolutely amazing staff. AFW has mission assistants who essentially fly second in command. Contact them and ask about their program. I do not believe that Angel Flight West requires qn IR however in the PAC NW you may want one. Call and ask for Jason Olsen and tell him I told you to call. Get involved it will be the most rewarding flying you have ever done, even if you don't have the hours don't stay away, there are so many ways to help besides being PIC.
 
I was going to go to a af southeast meeting yesterday where I hoped to get a lot of answers. Flew down to 4fl5 where I was under impression it was going to be and no one was there. I was very disappointed.:confused:
 
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