Volunteer Flying - A Great Way to Give Back

[GeorgePerry]

Fellow Mooney Pilots, I wanted to post and let the community know about a great way to use your airplane - Volunteer Flying.  I recently joined the Patient Airlift Services (PALS).  I'd encourage all GA pilots to join this group or one similar like Angle Flight. 

http://www.palservices.org/

 

[kris_adams]

I tried to do Angel Flight out of Atlanta but there didn't seem to be enough missions.  Never could get my schedule to match up to an available mission.  Hopefully I'll have more luck with missions one day.

[PTK]

You're absolutely right George. I also volunteer using my Mooney as an Angel Flight NE pilot. It's a very rewarding way to give back to our fellow human beings who need and appreciate our services. I am grateful to them for allowing me the opportunity to do my small part enabling them to get the medical care they need. The smiles on their faces, especially when it's a younger patient, is all I need!

Edited October 30, 2015 by PTK

[peevee]

Angelflight west want 50 hours in the previous 12 months, it's hard to fly that much. I might have it now because I flew a lot this summer. 

Also, they want pic time and all of my training is logged dual received and not pic so I might be short there and I'm not going back and redoing 10 years of logbook entries. 

[Bob - S50]

Angelflight west want 50 hours in the previous 12 months, it's hard to fly that much. I might have it now because I flew a lot this summer. 

Also, they want pic time and all of my training is logged dual received and not pic so I might be short there and I'm not going back and redoing 10 years of logbook entries. 

Not necessarily.  It's either 50 hours in the last 12 months OR several other options including a flight review.  Here is the list:

* Total PIC Time (250 hours for Private Pilot Certificate)
* Cross Country PIC Time (75 hours)
* Flight Review date within last 24 months
* Total PIC time within last 12 months: 50 hours or: a Flight Review within the last 12 months; complete a Wings Pilot Proficiency Program Level; added a new Rating; or completed an IPC.

Every Angel Flight organization is slightly different.

I enjoy it.  Weather permitting I try to do one long and one short flight each month.  The 'long' flights are about 200-250 nm one way  (my longest is 450 nm each way - long day). The short ones are usually under 100 nm and usually a run for the blood bank.  By the time I include taxi time and positioning to or from the correct airport, that usually gets me something between 4 and 5 hours each month.  That pretty much gets me to the 50 hours/year.  Add in a flight each month for instrument currency and 50 hours isn't much of a problem.

Like I've said before, it gives you an excuse to go flying, it lets you help someone in need, and it's a tax deduction.  If you get the Philips 66 credit card and buy their gas for the mission, save an extra $1/gallon.  Win, win, win, win.  As for me, I've found that few things in life make me feel as good as helping someone in need.

[Yooper Rocketman]

I've been involved with Northwood's Airlifeline (http://www.northwoodsairlifeline.org/) since 1991, and flying for them for over 20 years.  It's hard to put into words the rewards you will receive from performing these kind of flights.  If, over time, you don't get as much, or more, out of conducting the flight as the patient get's by you offering it, there's something wrong. I posted a tough flight a couple weeks ago, taking grandparents down to see their grand daughter just before passing. http://mooneyspace.com/topic/16721-tough-mercy-flight-yesterday/

I had one this Thursday night/Friday morning though that was rewarding.  I flew a kidney transplant patient down to Madison WI for her transplant.

 http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N7256A/history/20151030/0400Z/KIMT/KMSN  

She had never flown, and when I asked her after landing how she did, she said "oh, I did just fine, I never opened my eyes the whole flight".  Her daughter had flown, and loved the moonlit flight above the overcast.  Ironically that afternoon and evening, I had a bank board meeting and we dined at a supper club afterwords.  I was the only board member to not have any alcohol, and found out later when the call came in, was the only pilot available.  Someone must have been looking over her, as she could not have made it in time without a flight.

Tom

Edited October 31, 2015 by Yooper Rocketman
added link

[Danb]

Sometimes it does get to you, I flew a local 12 yr. girl old who had a rare brain cancer a Hospital in Florida was the only place that would do the type of procedure she needed. I became a little close to the family ( big mistake for and angel flight pilot to do). She was on the Philadelphia news and local Delaware papers for the extremely rare cancer. I flew all the way to Florida a couple times. About 18 months later she passed, hit me hard , I didn't do any more flights for some time. I think I've learned the need to separate me from the patient, I think?

[gsxrpilot]

Does anyone fly Angel flights in a C? I'm signed up, registered, past orientation, bagged and ready to fly. But I'm always concerned about the difficulty of getting in and out of the Mooney. Will there be two people? I have 1015lbs useful load, but that seem like not much compared to the total required weights I see for many of the missions.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done Angel flights carrying people in a C.

Thanks

[Yooper Rocketman]

Sometimes it does get to you, I flew a local 12 yr. girl old who had a rare brain cancer a Hospital in Florida was the only place that would do the type of procedure she needed. I became a little close to the family ( big mistake for and angel flight pilot to do). She was on the Philadelphia news and local Delaware papers for the extremely rare cancer. I flew all the way to Florida a couple times. About 18 months later she passed, hit me hard , I didn't do any more flights for some time. I think I've learned the need to separate me from the patient, I think?

It's really tough with kids.  I've lost a lot of past patients and I feel flying them gave me a chance to make a difference in their lives.  Like you, it takes a while to get over some of them but it's still worth it.  I got close to a gal my age, as she was dealing with cancer while her kids back home were in high school.  I still remember talking with her about how her dad named her April, because she was born in April and her concerns about leaving this world with kids still in school.  I thought she was going to make it, then I get a call her sister had taken her to a casino on the far eastern end of the U.P. and she needed to get to Ann Arbor right away (University of Michigan hospital).  When I flew over to pick her up, I took another pilot with, as they said she would need help boarding.  Once seeing her, I knew she wouldn't be coming home, but also understood she had enjoyed her little 'mini' vacation with her sister.  She was clearly glad to see me, as I had taken her on most her previous flights and she was comfortable with me.

She never came home after that flight, and I wonder how her kids made out.  I think the key is to remember them as fighters, and try to appreciate having been involved with some part of their fight to live.  I say that now, but it's always hard immediately after you lose one.

Tom

[Bob - S50]

Does anyone fly Angel flights in a C? I'm signed up, registered, past orientation, bagged and ready to fly. But I'm always concerned about the difficulty of getting in and out of the Mooney. Will there be two people? I have 1015lbs useful load, but that seem like not much compared to the total required weights I see for many of the missions.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done Angel flights carrying people in a C.

Thanks

Not sure how the Angel Flight in your region works, but AF West posts missions on the website.  After you sign in you can see how many people, how much total weight, departure airport, destination airport, reason for the flight, and occasionally an arrive by or depart after time.  There shouldn't be any surprises.  I consider all of that; distance, total weight, individual weight, airports, time of day, single or connecting flight, etc.  I've passed on a couple missions because they were cancer patients and I just had my shingles shot in September.  That's a live virus so it can be passed on to others.  I was advised to stay away from immune compromised people for about 4 to 6 weeks.  Most of the missions I fly are under 450 lbs.

As for getting into the C, I don't know how much more difficult it is than the J, but it has not been an issue so far.  Here are a few tips though:

1.  I explain that it's easier to get into the back seat than the front seat but leg room will be tight until we get in the front seat and scoot the seats forward.  I then talk them through it while they are getting in.  For the front seat I explain what I'm doing as I demo by getting into my seat.

2.  Leave the flaps down for boarding and deplaning.  I don't care how many times you tell them, they just are too tempting to step on and sooner or later somebody will.  If they are down, it is easier to step past them too.

3.  Bring a small step to help some of the older/weaker ones get up onto the wing.

4.  Make yourself a briefing card for items to talk about.  I usually go through the briefing while in the building and show them a few last items at the plane.

Enjoy.

[Danb]

Bob good pointers, I started in my J and now have a Bravo, no real difference in boarding etc. that said Angel Flight East provides the info. as you stated, the main thing for me is weight obviously but I try to figure size. If they say 500 lbs, and that include baggage I want to know is Mom 375 and daughter 90 lbs. If so they need a larger plane. I've been trying to not have any one person over 225, that as you know takes a phone call.

Tom totally agree you seem to be in the same place, I do a little pilot and paws but don't get the true gratitude as much as AF. We need more like you.

[Danb]

Paul your useful loads higher than mine, I would think with Bobs advice you'd be just fine, go for it.

[RocketAviator]

Does anyone fly Angel flights in a C? I'm signed up, registered, past orientation, bagged and ready to fly. But I'm always concerned about the difficulty of getting in and out of the Mooney. Will there be two people? I have 1015lbs useful load, but that seem like not much compared to the total required weights I see for many of the missions.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done Angel flights carrying people in a C.

Thanks

Rocket, I ve done Angel flights, in fact the time we meet in Fredricskburg and you met Dianna Stangler in her Jet (who is the upcoming President of Angel Flight that you signed up for) I was on an Angel flight to have a young toddler put into one of those head helmets.  Flew he and his mom to San Antinio and stayed with Sandman.... met you etc.

Your C will do just fine, expecially with one passenger and 2 if weight is in line.

Absoulty great thing to do...'  Thanks my friend

Edited November 1, 2015 by RocketAviator

[RocketAviator]

Rocket, there are lots of Angel flight requests from EP to HOU, this would be a great oppertunity for you and I to join up for a flight!  I bring to You, you take to HOU!

Now all we need to to work out a way to get in some Texas Wing Formation flying in...... ponder!!!

[carusoam]

I admire you guys.

Some times it is going to be difficult to do the right thing.  But you find a way.

Thank you for sharing,

-a-

[Yooper Rocketman]

As for getting into the C, I don't know how much more difficult it is than the J, but it has not been an issue so far.  Here are a few tips though:

1.  I explain that it's easier to get into the back seat than the front seat but leg room will be tight until we get in the front seat and scoot the seats forward.  I then talk them through it while they are getting in.  For the front seat I explain what I'm doing as I demo by getting into my seat.

2.  Leave the flaps down for boarding and deplaning.  I don't care how many times you tell them, they just are too tempting to step on and sooner or later somebody will.  If they are down, it is easier to step past them too.

3.  Bring a small step to help some of the older/weaker ones get up onto the wing.

4.  Make yourself a briefing card for items to talk about.  I usually go through the briefing while in the building and show them a few last items at the plane.

Enjoy.

I had one years ago, on one of the coldest days of winter, out of a small airport in the U.P. called Newberry.  She was going to Rochester MN, by herself.  This was in the days prior to our organization having any owned airplanes (with back doors ie. Seneca 3 and BE36).  I took the Rocket and was floored when the passenger showed up in an ambulance.  I started questioning whether she could board and they said, no, she can walk assisted.  Well, when it was all said and done, I had to remove the front co-pilot seat and she was able to board and get off fine, with help.  We were her only option and she could not have done an ambulance ride, nor been able to afford a true medical flight.  The seat stayed in Newberry for a few weeks until a twin driver brought her home and picked it up for me.  Had I known ahead of time, I would have left the seat home.

Out organization screens a little better today.

Tom

 

[Jim Peace]

Does anyone fly Angel flights in a C? I'm signed up, registered, past orientation, bagged and ready to fly. But I'm always concerned about the difficulty of getting in and out of the Mooney. Will there be two people? I have 1015lbs useful load, but that seem like not much compared to the total required weights I see for many of the missions.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done Angel flights carrying people in a C.

Thanks

I signed up for Angle flight east in my 1964c short body.  I had the same questions.  I have done one flight and chose the flight I did because of only 2 people and no baggage to speak of.  It was still so damn tight.......I look only now for 1 pax flights now and a slim pax at that......have not found any.....

[Mooneymite]

I haven't done any Angel Flights in years due to personal constraints, but I used to do them in my 'C' all the time.  Angel Flight (based at PDK) would post the missions and I'd just pick the missions that a 'C' could do.  I ended up doing a lot of 1 parent, one child flights.

An amusing aspect of carrying children is that while they may/may not be crying (screaming?) during boarding, they were sound asleep within seconds after engine start.  Must be something soothing about that Lycoming. 

Edited November 1, 2015 by Mooneymite

[Marauder]

Must be something soothing about that Lycoming. 

Nah, kids just have a lower tolerance to CO.

I don't think in the 18 years flying with my son, he ever stayed awake past the second blade turn.

[DrBill]

Right on George.. I've done Pilots N Paws. .  When I started there were like 600 pilots and trips were frequent.  Now there are like 6000 and it's hard to get a flight in my area without a lot of effort.  Still do it and the gas is a donation to a rescue group, plus I get to visit some very different airports.

Bill

 

[Mooneymite]

You may have already seen this "Angel Flight" video....

Angel Flight video

[jlunseth]

I flew quite a few Angel Flights this year.  Most of them were camp flights, taking young kids with AIDS to a summer camp in Northern Minnesota.  The most fun were 6 & 7 year old sisters in the back seat, on the mic the entire trip, 3 hours.  "Pilot, where are we.  When are we getting there."  I used the ISOL button quite a bit.

I picked up a 70+ year old cancer patient at Palwaukee.  I did the pre-flight briefing in the FBO and among other things, told her that the footwells could get cold, that if she had a blanket or warm socks she might want to get them out.  While I was out pre-flighting the aircraft a corporate pilot approached.  He brought me over to his jet, where he had some extra blankets he did not need and he gave me one.  He said they were signed up for Angel Flights but for some reason were not doing any.  He said he was going to look into that when he got home.  Perhaps me and my 30 year old Mooney inspired someone else to help.

We give to charities knowing that a high percentage of what we give goes to pay the salaries of the people who will come ask us for money again next year.  As an Angel Flight pilot you know that every penny of the gift you are giving goes to the person sitting next to you, and they are always grateful.  

[jlunseth]

 

That reminds me.  The local chapter has a fund raising concert coming up.  The performer is Connie Evingson, a local jazz singer who is quite good and it is at the Jungle Theater on Nov. 16.  I went last year.  It is not a large affair, just some pilots and their friends.  There was a silent auction, the prices were good and I bought quite a lot of nice wine.  If anyone would like more information please send me a PM, and I may still have a couple of comp tickets I can give you.

Edited November 5, 2015 by jlunseth

[peevee]

Not necessarily.  It's either 50 hours in the last 12 months OR several other options including a flight review.  Here is the list:

* Total PIC Time (250 hours for Private Pilot Certificate)
* Cross Country PIC Time (75 hours)
* Flight Review date within last 24 months
* Total PIC time within last 12 months: 50 hours or: a Flight Review within the last 12 months; complete a Wings Pilot Proficiency Program Level; added a new Rating; or completed an IPC.

Every Angel Flight organization is slightly different.

I enjoy it.  Weather permitting I try to do one long and one short flight each month.  The 'long' flights are about 200-250 nm one way  (my longest is 450 nm each way - long day). The short ones are usually under 100 nm and usually a run for the blood bank.  By the time I include taxi time and positioning to or from the correct airport, that usually gets me something between 4 and 5 hours each month.  That pretty much gets me to the 50 hours/year.  Add in a flight each month for instrument currency and 50 hours isn't much of a problem.

Like I've said before, it gives you an excuse to go flying, it lets you help someone in need, and it's a tax deduction.  If you get the Philips 66 credit card and buy their gas for the mission, save an extra $1/gallon.  Win, win, win, win.  As for me, I've found that few things in life make me feel as good as helping someone in need.

I didn't see the 250 was only for private, since I have a commercial it relieves me of having to go through and recalculate 15 years worth of dual received and relogging as PIC where applicable.

Edited November 5, 2015 by peevee

[peevee]

so I got all signed up and qualified, I picked up a short trip for next week, only 200 or 300 NM and 2 smaller people, very little luggage. Now hopefully the wind and weather behave, I'm a little worried about it being winter it doesn't take much to cancel a flight without FIKI.