National
Air Charity Network Information And Resources Regarding Angel Flight
By
Aug 14, 2008 - 11:47:46 AM

What is "Angel Flight?"

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - "Angel Flight" organizations are regional, independently-managed, non-profit groups comprised of volunteer pilots with private aircraft who primarily help people of limited means access specialized medical care, which is often life-saving. Medical missions make up about 85% of charitable aviation activities while the other 15% of flights are dedicated to other initiatives including: helping children with rare diseases participate in special needs summer camps, responding to unique transportation needs in times of disaster, helping families and communities when facing compelling situations, and many others.

A majority of the country's largest "Angel Flight" organizations constitute the Air Charity Network, a group of charitable aviation leaders who share best practices, collaborate on joint projects, and work together to link passengers and pilots nationwide. The members of Air Charity Network arrange about 80% of the charitable flights provided to children and adults in need in the United States.

Charitable aviation organizations nationwide are deeply saddened by yesterday's fatal accident in Massachusetts that claimed the life of a patient, his spouse and the pilot. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of those involved.

Charitable Aviation History:

Charitable aviation volunteers and partners have been transporting passengers on medical and compassion flights for approximately 25 years. The first charitable aviation organizations were founded in the early 1980s in several areas of the country.

In more than two decades of flying, the charitable aviation organizations that have been involved in Air Charity Network have made possible nearly 160,000 "angel flights" or missions and transported passengers on what is approaching 100 million miles nationwide. The more than 7,000 Angel Flight volunteer pilots nationwide complete more than 20,000 charitable flights annually. The three fatal "angel flight missions" this year with passengers on board are the first in Air Charity Network's long history.

Volunteer Pilots:

Volunteer pilots involved in the member organizations of Air Charity Network are FAA licensed pilots who volunteer their time and donate the use of private aircraft and fuel to their "Angel Flight" passengers at absolutely no cost to the passenger. The pilots must have logged at least 250 hours at the controls of an aircraft as Pilot in Command and are usually IFR certified, which means they can fly in low visibility conditions using only the aircraft's instruments.

http://www.angelflightne.org/

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