Pilot Information :: Pilot FAQs

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What is Angel Flight ?
Who does Angel Flight transport?
Where do the calls come from?
What kind of aircraft do Angel Flight pilots use?
What are the pilot requirements?
What is my liability?
How Far Will Angel Flight fly on a Mission?

I love to fly. How can I help?

Q. What is Angel Flight?
A. The mission of Angel Flight is to facilitate access to health care by arranging free air transportation in private aircraft. Angel Flight links volunteer private pilots with the people who need them most. Additionally, Angel Flight provides disaster releif by delivering supplies or personnel to areas in need.

Angel Flight is a tax exempt, nonprofit organization.

Angel Flight is an opportunity to combine your love of flying with volunteer community service. Your participation will benefit people whose medical problems have left them without the funds to reach places where they can get needed diagnosis or treatment.

Q. Who does Angel Flight transport?
A. Angel Flight offers transportation to people whose medical problems make it necessary for them to travel for diagnosis or repeated treatment. Angel Flight also flies people whose condition or location makes it difficult or impossible for them to use other means of transportation. We also help those who lack the financial resources for medical transportation. Angel Flight missions typically do not exceed 600 miles.

Typical examples of Angel Flight missions include the following:

transporting cancer patients for chemotherapy surgery or other treatment
transporting people with kidney problems to obtain dialysis or kidney transplants
transporting patients with heart problems for specialized diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
transporting children to and from "special needs camps" such as camps for burn survivors, children with renal disease or children with life-threatening illnesses.
transporting medical supplies and personnel to disaster areas

Angel Flight also responds to many other compelling human needs for which free air transportation would be of value.

Adult patients flown by Angel Flight must be ambulatory, children must be accompanied by parents, and all patients must be medically stable and non-contagious. They must be able to get in and out of the aircraft on their own (or with limited assistance), sit up for the duration of the flight, and not require medical treatment during the flight.

Patients often have a friend or family member accompany them.

Q. Where do the calls come from?
A. Most requests for Angel Flight missions come directly from a patient or patient family member. Many time they have been referred by a social worker or discharge planner at a hospital or health care agency. We also deal directly with healthcare professionals. Other requests come from charitable organizations and societies such as: the American Cancer Society, The American Red Cross, Duke University, Emory University, Scottish Rite, and many other hospitals and foundations. We also get referrals from related aviation-oriented charities such as the Air Care Alliance. We also receive many requests via our website and toll free number.

By using the expertise of these agencies and their personnel, we determine that a person meets our medical and/or financial-need criteria and thus justifies the pilot's donation of time and flying expenses.

Q. What kind of aircraft do Angel Flight pilots use?
A. Most Angel Flight pilots' aircraft are single or twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft, jet aircraft are also welcome and ideal for the longer distance missions.

The majority of our missions are flown in single-engine, four to six-seat aircraft. Most mission requests we receive are well within the capability of such aircraft. You do not need either a large or a fast airplane to be of assistance to most people who seek Angel Flight help.

Q. What are the pilot requirements?
A. An instrument rating is necessary to fly P.I.C. on ALL Angel Flight missions. The minimum number of hours for pilot participation is 250 logged time. It is also required that you attend a pilot orientation session within sixty days of application. Pilot documentation such as license, medical, insurance and current bi-annual reviews will also be needed.

Q. What is my liability as an Angel Flight pilot?
A. Flights you make for Angel Flight have the same status as any flight made with passengers by a private pilot under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. You have no greater liability when flying a passenger for an Angel Flight mission than when flying a friend or neighbor. Pilots are required to have liability insurance but do not have to name Angel Flight as an additional insured.

Q. Who are the members of Angel Flight?
A. The members of Angel Flight are private pilots (aircraft owners and renters) and Earth Angels (ground support volunteers).

Q. I love to fly. How can I help?
A. Angel Flight uses our network of volunteer pilots to provide free transportation via private aircraft to and from medical facilities. Our pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel to help those whose medical problems have left them without the funds to reach places where they can get needed diagnosis or treatment. Angel Flight is a non-profit organization. This allows for flight expenses to become tax-deductible. (Consult your tax advisor for details.) If you are tired of punching holes in the sky, flying in circles or going for the hundred dollar hamburger, let us show you how to put your aviation skills and talents to wonderful use. In order to keep up with the tremendous increase in mission requests, we must constantly increase our pilot member base. To complete a pilot membership application, please follow the Membership Application link above.