How Angel Flight Delivers Hope
Christina Hamlett
February 28, 2007
Since 1984, the men and women volunteers of Angel Flight West (AFW) have literally been delivering hope on a wing and a prayer to patients for whom access to needed – and distant - medical services would constitute financial hardship. Since its founding at Santa Monica Airport by 15 pilots willing to donate their time, fuel and aircraft to a worthy cause, AFW now serves 13 western states and has grown to a staff of 10 and almost 2200 volunteer members dedicated to providing free air transportation to individuals with compelling needs.
Southern California Wing Leader Alan M. Dias, a La Cañada resident, – who has flown AFW missions along with his wife, Jennie Manders for the past 11 years – has no shortage of praise for the program’s accomplishments and his fellow pilots’ selfless energy.
In 2006 AFW flew close to 4000 missions – each in its own right memorable for their impact on the lives of individuals and their families. In the years I’ve been a member, the missions I’ve flown have included AIDS patients, infants in their mother's arms suffering serious ailments, and transplant and cancer patients traveling for follow-ups and periodic treatments.”
Dias relates that, without AFW, many of these individuals wouldn’t have been able to deal with the travel hardships and, possibly, wouldn’t have been able to receive the medical treatment they needed. “At a minimum, AFW has prolonged lives and, perhaps, even saved some.”
It’s a sentiment enthusiastically echoed by Board Member Doug Griffith of La Cañada Flintridge who has been with AFW nearly six years. “What keeps me excited about Angel Flight is that I am able to use my special knowledge and background in aviation to help those less fortunate. All charity is good, but a charitable pursuit that you can channel your unique abilities into is particularly gratifying. And because aviation is my hobby, I am having fun at the same time.”
Dias emphasizes AFW does not provide emergency air transportation. “We are transporting individuals who have been released by their physicians to fly in non-pressurized, general aviation aircraft. They must be ambulatory. We haven’t been trained or accredited - as a requirement to fly as Command Pilots for AFW - in providing emergency first aid, CPR, ambulance service, etc. The attention given to our passengers is the same attention shown when we fly our own kids, parents and friends.”
Craig B. Burger, a fairly new recruit to AFW’s operations, flies one mission per quarter in the four-passenger Piper Archer he keeps at the El Monte airport. “My experience has primarily been with cancer patients who live in Northern or Central California who need to get to Southern California for treatment, typically at the City of Hope or USC. Being able to get to their medical professionals and back in the same day, or the next day, is really important in terms of these folks getting the medical attention they need without either having to drive for hours or completely disrupting their lives and families. Sometimes they can’t afford to do that or simply don’t feel well enough to spend hours in a car. Having had members of my family who have fought cancer I appreciate this opportunity to help others get what they need to get better.”
Burger has even gotten his daughter Molly, a junior at La Cañada High, to accompany him as a Mission Assistant. “Besides the fact I really enjoy having her fly with me, it also provides someone to be completely focused on keeping the patient comfortable and informed while I conduct the flight in the safest possible manner.”
To qualify as an AFW passenger, Dias explains, patients have to have a demonstrated need based on a variety of criteria. “The main qualification is if travel to and from medical treatment – especially on a weekly/monthly basis or in a region where commercial transportation is limited – would impose a hardship, financial and otherwise. Another consideration is for transplant patients or those with a compromised immune system who cannot travel on commercial carriers because of exposure to re-circulated air.”
Referrals to AWF come from hospitals, doctor’s office, social workers, medical agencies, clergy, law enforcement and the general public. Passengers must be ambulatory and released by their physician to fly in a non-pressurized aircraft.
Says Dias, “AFW imposes a minimum liability insurance coverage requirement, and each AFW pilot is required to ensure that coverage is in place for each mission. Most AFW pilots own their aircraft and meet the insurance requirement through their own aircraft liability insurance policy. Some pilots, however, rent aircraft from rental companies or flying clubs and meet the insurance requirement through the liability coverage provided by those organizations. Still others might be professional pilots whose employers allow use of company aircraft for AFW missions and whose insurance meets our coverage requirements.”
The need for additional pilots is always great, Dias shares, especially those who possess the comfort level and confidence necessary to tend to the special needs of AFW passengers. “Many of them are children, have seldom flown before and/or are very nervous about being in a small aircraft.”
Non-pilots are also encouraged to join the fold. “Volunteer opportunities include flying along as Mission Assistants, participating in outreach efforts at hospitals, medical agencies, and community organizations, fundraising, public relations, recruiting pilots, and providing technical and clerical expertise.”
AFW is currently in the process of establishing an endowment called “Spreading Our Wings.” Relates Dias, “Our goal is to raise $2 million by December 31, 2007. The endowment will remain in the AFW Foundation, invested prudently and grow through ongoing promotion and contributions from individuals, and corporate/foundation donors. The ‘Spreading Our Wings’ campaign brings awareness of our needs and responsibilities to prospective donors and, thus, help to assure the future of Angel Flight West and the ability to carry out our mission of compassion.”
Additional information can be obtained at www.angelflight.org or by contacting Director of Development Adrian Shymko at adrians@angelflightwest.org.
Southern California Wing Leader Alan M. Dias, a La Cañada resident, – who has flown AFW missions along with his wife, Jennie Manders for the past 11 years – has no shortage of praise for the program’s accomplishments and his fellow pilots’ selfless energy.
In 2006 AFW flew close to 4000 missions – each in its own right memorable for their impact on the lives of individuals and their families. In the years I’ve been a member, the missions I’ve flown have included AIDS patients, infants in their mother's arms suffering serious ailments, and transplant and cancer patients traveling for follow-ups and periodic treatments.”
Dias relates that, without AFW, many of these individuals wouldn’t have been able to deal with the travel hardships and, possibly, wouldn’t have been able to receive the medical treatment they needed. “At a minimum, AFW has prolonged lives and, perhaps, even saved some.”
It’s a sentiment enthusiastically echoed by Board Member Doug Griffith of La Cañada Flintridge who has been with AFW nearly six years. “What keeps me excited about Angel Flight is that I am able to use my special knowledge and background in aviation to help those less fortunate. All charity is good, but a charitable pursuit that you can channel your unique abilities into is particularly gratifying. And because aviation is my hobby, I am having fun at the same time.”
Dias emphasizes AFW does not provide emergency air transportation. “We are transporting individuals who have been released by their physicians to fly in non-pressurized, general aviation aircraft. They must be ambulatory. We haven’t been trained or accredited - as a requirement to fly as Command Pilots for AFW - in providing emergency first aid, CPR, ambulance service, etc. The attention given to our passengers is the same attention shown when we fly our own kids, parents and friends.”
Craig B. Burger, a fairly new recruit to AFW’s operations, flies one mission per quarter in the four-passenger Piper Archer he keeps at the El Monte airport. “My experience has primarily been with cancer patients who live in Northern or Central California who need to get to Southern California for treatment, typically at the City of Hope or USC. Being able to get to their medical professionals and back in the same day, or the next day, is really important in terms of these folks getting the medical attention they need without either having to drive for hours or completely disrupting their lives and families. Sometimes they can’t afford to do that or simply don’t feel well enough to spend hours in a car. Having had members of my family who have fought cancer I appreciate this opportunity to help others get what they need to get better.”
Burger has even gotten his daughter Molly, a junior at La Cañada High, to accompany him as a Mission Assistant. “Besides the fact I really enjoy having her fly with me, it also provides someone to be completely focused on keeping the patient comfortable and informed while I conduct the flight in the safest possible manner.”
To qualify as an AFW passenger, Dias explains, patients have to have a demonstrated need based on a variety of criteria. “The main qualification is if travel to and from medical treatment – especially on a weekly/monthly basis or in a region where commercial transportation is limited – would impose a hardship, financial and otherwise. Another consideration is for transplant patients or those with a compromised immune system who cannot travel on commercial carriers because of exposure to re-circulated air.”
Referrals to AWF come from hospitals, doctor’s office, social workers, medical agencies, clergy, law enforcement and the general public. Passengers must be ambulatory and released by their physician to fly in a non-pressurized aircraft.
Says Dias, “AFW imposes a minimum liability insurance coverage requirement, and each AFW pilot is required to ensure that coverage is in place for each mission. Most AFW pilots own their aircraft and meet the insurance requirement through their own aircraft liability insurance policy. Some pilots, however, rent aircraft from rental companies or flying clubs and meet the insurance requirement through the liability coverage provided by those organizations. Still others might be professional pilots whose employers allow use of company aircraft for AFW missions and whose insurance meets our coverage requirements.”
The need for additional pilots is always great, Dias shares, especially those who possess the comfort level and confidence necessary to tend to the special needs of AFW passengers. “Many of them are children, have seldom flown before and/or are very nervous about being in a small aircraft.”
Non-pilots are also encouraged to join the fold. “Volunteer opportunities include flying along as Mission Assistants, participating in outreach efforts at hospitals, medical agencies, and community organizations, fundraising, public relations, recruiting pilots, and providing technical and clerical expertise.”
AFW is currently in the process of establishing an endowment called “Spreading Our Wings.” Relates Dias, “Our goal is to raise $2 million by December 31, 2007. The endowment will remain in the AFW Foundation, invested prudently and grow through ongoing promotion and contributions from individuals, and corporate/foundation donors. The ‘Spreading Our Wings’ campaign brings awareness of our needs and responsibilities to prospective donors and, thus, help to assure the future of Angel Flight West and the ability to carry out our mission of compassion.”
Additional information can be obtained at www.angelflight.org or by contacting Director of Development Adrian Shymko at adrians@angelflightwest.org.
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