Angel flight in a Mooney

[Dream to fly]

I was asked by the local hospital if I'd be willing to do angel flights to Minneapolis.  Has anyone ever done those in a Mooney and how does it all work VFR?  I am still training for IFR and I don't like surprises.  I don't want to offend the people that asked me and I say NO.   I've done that flight a dozen times for fun but I am not sure about a lot of the incidentals like insurance, medical issues in the plane, equipment needed, etc. 

[kortopates]

May I suggest you begin by going to your Angel Flights Chapter website and review their qualifications to act as command pilot. It should list 250 hrs as PIC or a commercial license and 75 hours of PIC x-ctry time. It will also list additional requirements about your plane insurance, current flight review etc. Assuming you meet those basic requirements then sign up for their next command pilot orientation meeting. The orientation meeting will introduce you their rules and procedures - generally over a Saturday morning. They are generally very good and informative and should answer all your questions. At least that is what they are. Once you complete their process and attend the orientation you will be able to accept and fly Angel Flight mission. I don't know much variation there is in different chapters but I assume they all pretty much follow the same rules or procedures. 

Its a good opportunity to help others out in need while also getting a tax deduction for your efforts. 

[carusoam]

Do a search on angel flights around MS and see who else is doing them.  @201er has posted a couple of videos of these type of flights.

A way to get started doing this may be flying around a few animals that are looking for a home... flying right seat to get a feel for what is actually involved may be helpful. Look for pilots and paws...or PnP...

Each organization has rules and levels of experience that you want to have.

We have a Michigan Rocket pilot that has shown a couple of pictures of the kids he has flown to get treatments...

There is also a flying dentist organization that some MS pilots have experience with.

Having strong pilot skills is important.  Weight and balance can't be estimated...

Having strong interpersonal skills is important.  How to deal with sick people on top of a WnB issue is not going to be easy.

Having an IR might be a requirement depending on what part of the country you are flying in...

I bet it is not going to be easy, but I’m sure it will be worthwhile...

Best regards,

-a-

Look up @Yooper Rocketman A truck guy, a Mooney pilot, and an angel flight guy from Michigan...

[gsxrpilot]

I've done Angel flights here in Texas. It's a good thing to do and a good way to use our airplanes. But I strongly agree with @kortopates. Just sign up with your local Angel Flight chapter. Not being IFR is limiting but not a deal breaker. And it's not unusual for pilots to have to cancel flights for weather or other reasons. One thing I consider carefully with Angel flights is my payload. The Angel Flight website lists the missions available with very good detail on specific passengers, number of passengers, weights, luggage weights, etc. They make it easy to participate.

I'd encourage you to get involved.

[dlmorris]

I've been flying Angel Flights in my K Model for years. It's a very satisfying experience. You will never put your flying skills (and money) to better use. Flights are typically 1-2 hour in length and flight times are flexible so you can usually avoid IMC with some planning. An added bonus is you stay current if you accept flights regularly. Do it.        

[StevenL757]

Joe, great questions, and agree with both Pauls and Anthony in that it’s an exceptional way to help those in need as well as enjoy your passion of flying.  I’ve been doing them with Angel Flight NE for a few years now, and as mentioned above, it is easy to participate; given the exceptional way the organization coordinates with passengers & families, hospitals, doctors, etc.  I’m also called upon regularly to provide orientations to onboarding pilots in my region, so that’s a nice opportunity to meet others flying for the cause.

Not much more to add here, other than when you find an organization with which you’d like to engage, go through their orientation processes and slowly get your feet wet with missions comfortable for you as you work through the Instrument rating.  Appreciate not all groups will require it, but as Paul mentioned, not having the rating will limit the flights you can do.

You probably already have these links for organizations close to you in and around North Dakota, but pasted them below, so apologies for redundancy.  Hope this helps.  No matter how you choose to help (not trying to sound cliche) you’ll be doing a great service.

Angel Flight Central:  https://angelflightcentral.org/

Lifeline Pilots:  https://lifelinepilots.org/

Steve

[Tommy]

I have done 25 missions for Angel Flight and it's one of the most satisfying kind of flying you can do and it gives you to reasons to fly to air strips that you probably will never go otherwise. 

Go to the website for the pilot and plane requirement. Mooney is definitely well equipped for majority of the missions except when you need more seats or the patient cannot climb onto the wing due to mobility reason. 

Having an IFR is a bonus but not essential and remember many of these patients have little or no experience in a small aircraft. And getting toss around in a small plane in an IMC will probably turn them off a great deal. 

The danger, however, is the desire to push on when the weather is marginal. Majority of the Angel Flight incidents are weather related and it does inflict a great deal of damage to the organisation when a mission resulted in fatalities. It certainly calls in question the rules and regulations governing not for profit charitable flying groups. 

My best advice take another Angel Flight pilot with you on your first few flights or tag along before you sign up. 

[Yooper Rocketman]

I've been flying mercy flights since 1994 and, up until recently, they accounted for 50% of my flying.  I would guess nearly half the hours on my "past TBO" Rocket engine were accumulated doing donated medical flights.  The last couple years I have backed off some, trying to complete the project plane that had run WAY longer than I anticipated when embarking on that adventure.  Being the longest active pilot in the organization (Steve, my hangar partner is the only longer involved member, but has had many periods of inactivity) I routinely am asked to speak about our organization, Northwoods Airlifeline (  http://www.northwoodsairlifeline.org ).  I could, and may, write a book on the many experiences I've had during this commitment.  We were started by a great man, Bob Larson, almost 30 years ago and have performed thousands of flights since inception.  We fly primarily patients from the U.P. and Northeastern Wisconsin to regional medical centers (Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Rochester, MN, and Minneapolis).  I have done flights to CT, FL, TN, VA, NC, and MO as well.  I will say it's one of the most rewarding experiences I have done in life.  

That said, Joe, go for it!  Our organization requires 500 hours and an IFR ticket, but we are more restrictive the other mercy flight organizations (a large portion of the flights are done in organizational owned aircraft).  Get accepted to fly with one of the organizations, pick good weather and a mission that works, and you will provide a service that rewards you as much as it does the patient.

I will share just one of hundreds of mercy flight stories, one that may relate to others doing flights with Mooneys.  I flew over in the dead of winter to Newberry, a small community on the eastern end of the U.P.  The trip was to take an older lady to Rochester MN.  There were 20+MPH winds and snow blowing everywhere with a temp below zero.  The patient arrived AFTER I did, but in an ambulance.........?  I said "we are not supposed to be doing flights for patients that are not ambulatory (capable of self boarding and no assistance during the flight)".  Her husband assured me she could board and was brought from the hospital by ambulance "as a precaution".  Well, when she got up to walk, it was pretty clear getting on the wing was going to be with serious assistance, and stepping down in to the front seat was not going to happen.  As I assessed the situation, realizing they had no other option.... she would die in Newberry if I didn't get her to Rochester (there is no way they could afford an air ambulance), I decided to pull the front seat and board her in the back, making the step down much more doable.

Long story short, the husband got to see his wife again a few months later, as she returned home to finish out her life with him.  I made a special trip back a few days later and picked up my front seat............. but with a pretty good feeling in my heart about how that went down.  To be clear though, flights requiring this type of assistance have been very rare, as our flight coordinator does a much better job today determining the patient's capabilities before accepting the mission.

Tom

[KSMooniac]

I've done 20 ish Angel Flights as well thru Angel Flight Central and they are a great organization. I think IFR is required, but can't remember since it has been so long since I joined. Months are great for these flights due to the extra speed compared to slower planes, but ingress/egress can be an issue, as well as room for some more portly travelers.

If you don't meet the requirements, just keep flying! Get the IR, fly some pilots n paws flights, etc, and you'll be there in no time!

Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

[Dream to fly]

Gonna make the call today and see what I need to do and how to sign up.  I just feel it is the right thing to do since I have been blessed with this ability and maybe I can follow in the angels path and make somebody else have a good day  

[Bob - S50]

7 hours ago, Dream to fly said:

I was asked by the local hospital if I'd be willing to do angel flights to Minneapolis.

Based on this sentence, I wondering if your local hospital knows about Angel Flight organizations.  If they are asking you specifically to do angel flights, they may not know about the network.  If that is what they are asking, I would not do it.  I do angel flights, but only as part of the Angel Flight West network.

If that is the case, have them contact Angel Flight Central, Angel Flight Central, 816-421-2300 Toll Free: 1-866-569-9464 to find out about how it works.  Then you can do the same and sign up to fly the missions that fit your schedule and weather.

[Dream to fly]

Just now, Bob - S50 said:

Based on this sentence, I wondering if your local hospital knows about Angel Flight organizations.  If they are asking you specifically to do angel flights, they may not know about the network.  If that is what they are asking, I would not do it.  I do angel flights, but only as part of the Angel Flight West network.

If that is the case, have them contact Angel Flight Central, Angel Flight Central, 816-421-2300 Toll Free: 1-866-569-9464 to find out about how it works.  Then you can do the same and sign up to fly the missions that fit your schedule and weather.

I think they know about it from talking to the airport manager they used to do a lot of them out of Hazen(KHZE).  But my understanding is that most if not all the pilots that have done it are no longer flying or have moved away or passed.   Our hospital has just been torn down and a new one built and the new administration is trying to ramp up services and patient care.  I recognize your concern and without a doubt will only fly if it is going thru an organization like angel flight.    Life in the past two months has allowed me to see things a little differently  and maybe its a growing stage but its time to change my thinking and ways. 

[rbridges]

Agree with the others.  I looked into (haven't done one), but I think having an instrument rating was a prereq.  

[Bob - S50]

2 minutes ago, rbridges said:

Agree with the others.  I looked into (haven't done one), but I think having an instrument rating was a prereq.  

Requirements vary from one organization to another.  No IFR rating required at Angel Flight West.  They even let experimental aircraft do blood bank runs, but not carry people.

[Bob - S50]

9 minutes ago, Dream to fly said:

I think they know about it from talking to the airport manager they used to do a lot of them out of Hazen(KHZE).  But my understanding is that most if not all the pilots that have done it are no longer flying or have moved away or passed.   Our hospital has just been torn down and a new one built and the new administration is trying to ramp up services and patient care.

That's the beauty of Angel Flight.  The pilots don't need to be local.  I've done quite a few flights and not one of them started or ended at my airport.  In fact, that's the norm.  Most pilots end up ferrying the plane to meet the passenger, fly them to their destination, and then ferry the plane home again.

That can also be an advantage.  If you are trying to keep your IFR currency, and if weight/seats allow you to carry a safety pilot, you can do an instrument approach under the hood on those two ferry flights.

Get to go flying, get to help someone in need, get to help maintain your currencies, get to write off the expense as a tax deduction, and if you buy Phillips 66 gas for the flight using their card, get to save money on gas!  Win, win, win, win, win!

[gsengle]

I’ve done angel flights too. Just stepping back a moment... Makes me proud of our community that so many of us have - and to those that haven’t, let me add to those that are saying it’s some of the most rewarding flying you’ll do, go check it out!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gacoon]

I have done many Angel Flights in my '83 J.  Here's what I do to ensure an acceptable mission:

1) does weight and balance work for the flight.  Many customers will be quite large.  I tended to ignore missions that comprised 2 passengers unless they had a combined reasonable weight.

2) are they capable of getting up and into the plane, ask when you schedule with them. Most will need some help as getting up on the wing can be tough, help them and let them know not to step on the flap.

3) ask what they are bringing, dont get surprised when you pick them up and they show up with something that wont fit in the plane, ie wheel chair.

4) many have a hard time finding where to meet at airports, make sure they know where to go to get picked up.

5) only happened to me once in the 50 flights that I have done but be prepared for air sickness, I always had a couple old bath towls and a plastic show box available.

6) if you have a buddy that likes to fly with you have him or her come along as a mission assistant.  I do this most of the time and it usually limits the flight a single passenger flights because of weight.

7) lastly let them know when you schedule that the flight is in a small plane and is weather dependent, dont be afraid to cancel if the weather doesnt cooperate.

Angel Flights are a good way to put purpose into our flying, give it a try and see how it works.

Gerry

 

 

[rbridges]

1 hour ago, Bob - S50 said:

Requirements vary from one organization to another.  No IFR rating required at Angel Flight West.  They even let experimental aircraft do blood bank runs, but not carry people.

I didn't realize that.  I figured the reqs would be identical from region to region.  

[kortopates]

Like @Bob - S50, I am affiliated with Angel Flight West where no instrument rating is required. Since chapters tweak the rules for their local requirements, out of curiosity I looked up Angel Flight Central and verified they also do not require the rating. But they do require 500 hrs per the 91.146 requirements for pilots acting as PIC on charitable flights even though angel flights don't technically fall under this; but I think its a good idea given the number of past Angel Flight fatal accidents. 

As all have said above, not being IR adds a bit of challenge. I'd be surprised to learn the Central chapter is unable to fill all of its missions as implied due to a shortage of pilots. In my area, mission are filled well in advance before a pilot has any idea what the weather will be other than the seasonal norms at the time.  Consequently, its common practice  for VFR command pilots to need to cancel when weather isn't foretasted to be good VFR weather. That's not  problem as their are many instrument rated pilots that will pick up the flight providing its still flyable for their equipment - at least that's very much the case in my area. So in addition to all the good advice above, I would add be realistic about the weather forecast a few days in advance and if not good VFR weather cancel then while AFC still has ample time to find another pilot to fill the mission. If it doesn't get filled it's most likely because no one else thought they had the equipment and experience to complete the flight safely either. I am sure your Orientation pilot will emphasize this as well and I have known several VFR command pilots that have followed this strategy successfully over the years. 

Edited October 24, 2017 by kortopates

[mooneyman]

I recently signed up with Angel Flight East. They have been great to work with!

 I am looking forward to flying my first mission as command pilot this weekend! 

[carusoam]

Great question, Joe!

Thank you everybody for such great shared experience!   

The power of MS shows up in funny ways...

Best regards,

-a-

[bradp]

How does the insurance part work? Do the passengers fall under a supplemental liability policy or is everyone under the pilot’s policy? 

I don’t carry smooth coverage because I don’t currently carry passengers oustide my immediate family.  If I were to do AFs - and the organization didn’t provide supplemental insurance I’d probably be comfortable with a smooth policy >>1MM. I’m not sure how much  a general liability waiver would actually keep lawyers at bay if there were to be an incident.  

[peevee]

2 hours ago, bradp said:

How does the insurance part work? Do the passengers fall under a supplemental liability policy or is everyone under the pilot’s policy? 

I don’t carry smooth coverage because I don’t currently carry passengers oustide my immediate family.  If I were to do AFs - and the organization didn’t provide supplemental insurance I’d probably be comfortable with a smooth policy >>1MM. I’m not sure how much  a general liability waiver would actually keep lawyers at bay if there were to be an incident.  

they sign a waiver before they get on, but as far as I know it's your policy that takes the hit if you get sued. I don't know that they carry anything special. The mooney works fine, but isn't ideal. Getting in and out is tough for people with mobility issues, a 210 or something would be much better but I don't have one of those. The passengers tend to prefer the newer planes from the comments I get.

[peevee]

here's a copy/paste of the waiver

 

 

Angel Flight West
3161 Donald Douglas Loop South
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(888) 4-AN-ANGEL
Fax: (310) 397-9636

En Español

WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

READ CAREFULLY! BY SIGNING THIS WAIVER, YOU ARE LIMITING ANY RIGHTS YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SUE THE PILOT, MISSION ASSISTANT OR ANGEL FLIGHT WEST IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

 

Mission Number: 197440-2

1. Angel Flight West, a non-commercial, non-profit, volunteer public service organization, has arranged for me, PATIENT to be provided with nonessential, non-emergency air transportation and if necessary, local ground transportation (collectively, "Angel Flight Transportation") by the Angel Flight West volunteer members named hereafter, free of charge, for my convenience in obtaining medical treatment or for such other purpose as has been determined appropriate for the receipt of Angel Flight Transportation:

PeeVee (collectively, "Pilot").

2. I understand that Pilot is not employed or controlled by Angel Flight West, but rather is a volunteer member of Angel Flight West who has agreed to donate an aircraft and his/her piloting services for Angel Flight Transportation. Although Angel Flight West is deeply concerned about the safety of passengers receiving Angel Flight Transportation, Angel Flight West has no practical means of directly assessing and monitoring the competence, proficiency or safety of member volunteers or the safety of their aircraft. In an effort to optimize safety, Angel Flight West has a system of ensuring, to the extent feasible, that each member meets basic minimum experience standards, and holds the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration licenses for a given flight and aircraft. Angel Flight West relies on the Federal Aviation Regulations, a pilot's devotion to complying with those regulations, and each pilot's affirmation to Angel Flight West that he or she will observe specified precautions on all missions, to achieve safety.

3. I understand that Angel Flight West is a charitable organization and that Pilot is donating the Angel Flight Transportation without any financial reimbursement for that service or for the expenses of agreeing to provide Angel Flight Transportation. As such, Pilot, Angel Flight West, and those persons acting on Angel Flight West's behalf, including mission coordinators, referring agencies, board members, and all others associated with Angel Flight West who have assisted in arranging Angel Flight Transportation ("RELEASEES") are relying upon the signing of this Waiver and Release in return for their providing charitable services. I also acknowledge that there exist other means of transportation available to me, including commercial air transportation and ground transportation, and that I choose to receive Angel Flight Transportation for its convenience and/or cost savings relative to other means.

4. WAIVER AND RELEASE:

In consideration for receiving Angel Flight Transportation free of charge, I agree that neither I nor my assignees, heirs, distributees, executors, guardians or legal representatives ("RELEASORS") will make a claim or assert any causes of action (known or unknown) against, or sue, RELEASEES for death, bodily injury, property damage or any other liability of any sort ("HARM") arising from the Angel Flight Transportation, including but not limited to HARM resulting from the active or passive negligence, including gross negligence, or other acts or omissions of RELEASEES. I hereby WAIVE, and RELEASE RELEASEES from liability for, all such claims, causes of action and suits which RELEASORS or any of them now have or may hereafter have. This Waiver and Release includes, without limitation, HARM which results from (a) my being in the aircraft/vehicle, which could itself cause injury; (b) improper maintenance of or defects in the aircraft or vehicle, whether hidden, latent or obvious, which could cause an accident; (c) negligent or grossly negligent piloting/driving or other operation of the aircraft or vehicle, which could cause an accident; and (d) my slipping, falling or otherwise becoming injured on and about the aircraft or vehicle. THIS MEANS THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PERMITTED BELOW, NEITHER I NOR MY HEIRS OR ESTATE MAY CLAIM AGAINST RELEASEES ANY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANGEL FLIGHT WEST TRANSPORTATION.

5. Recurring Nature of Waiver and Release: This Waiver and Release may be used, and is deemed valid, as to all Angel Flight Transportation on which the undersigned, or the minor(s)/mentally incompetent(s) on whose behalf this Waiver and Release is being signed, is a passenger or mission assistant.

6. I understand it is my sole responsibility to purchase any flight or accident insurance should I desire to be insured on this flight.

7. In the event any portion of this contract is held invalid, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.

DO NOT SIGN THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE BEFORE YOU HAVE CAREFULLY READ IT AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A RELEASE OF LEGAL LIABILITY. IT IS A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT BY WHICH YOU AND YOUR HEIRS WILL BE BOUND, PREVENTING YOU AND YOUR HEIRS FROM BRINGING ANY LEGAL ACTION TO ASSERT A CLAIM AGAINST PILOT, ANGEL FLIGHT WEST OR ANY RELEASEES FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE EXCEPT TO THE LIMITED EXTENT PERMITTED HEREIN.

KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION: I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE, AND SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL. I AGREE THAT NO ORAL REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS OR INDUCEMENTS APART FROM THE FOREGOING WRITTEN AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN MADE.

PATIENT

 

 

Mission Assistant

 

 

Mission Assistant Name:

Add additional signatures

PHOTO RELEASE

I understand that in order to continue providing its free community service, Angel Flight West relies upon contributions which are in part solicited through publicity. In order to contribute to its efforts, I grant Angel Flight West permission to take and use my/my child's photograph for promotional, public relations and related uses.

Photo Release (initial)

 

 

 

Photo Release (initial)

 

 

PILOT AFFIRMATION

I certify that I am in compliance with all provisions of the Pilot Affirmation I agreed to when I became a Command Pilot, including but not limited to:

1. I meet all applicable requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations to act as pilot in command

2. My medical certification is current and I am aware of no medical deficiency that precludes my acting as pilot in command per FAR 61.53.

3. If I intend to conduct this flight under IFR, I meet all requirements for recent flight experience contained in FAR 61.57 including instrument experience under FAR 61.57(c)

4. The aircraft to be flown has a valid standard airworthiness certificate (normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter or transport category) and is airworthy in all respects per FAR Part 23 for flights carrying passengers.

5. Whether flying rented or owned aircraft, I have in force liability insurance applicable to the flight providing minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence and $100,000 per seat.

6. If I am renting an aircraft, I have met the requirements of the renting agency for currency. If I belong to a flying club, I am a member in good standing and I have met all requirements to fly club airplanes for which I am approved.

7. I have flown at least 50 hours as pilot-in-command in the last 12 calendar months. If not, within the last 12 months I have completed: a Flight Review (per FAR 61.56); a Wings Pilot Proficiency Program Level; added a new Rating; or completed an Instrument Proficiency Check (per FAR 61.57(d)).

8. I have at least 250 PIC hours and at least 75 of these hours have been logged as pilot-in-command for cross country flight; or I hold a valid Commercial certificate and at least 75 hours as pilot- in-command for cross country flight, or a valid Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

PEEVEE

 

 

Revised: May, 2017

 

[Bob - S50]

Passengers and mission assistants do have to sign a waiver, but you are also required to carry your own insurance that meets certain minimums.  Angel Flight does not have any insurance.