Angel Flights

[Fly Boomer]

On 4/1/2023 at 6:41 PM, Pinecone said:

I was thinking in more of a size issue.

Also, with a Mooney, you sit down into it and have to climb out of it.

I would love to take my 96 year old Dad for a ride, but I don't think de could get back out.

I know this is an old post, but it reminded me of a woman I had in mine recently.  She is a little younger than me, but has really bad arthritis in her hands.  Wasn't sure we were going to get her out.  I never analyzed it before, but that experience reminded me that when I roll out onto the wing (un-gracefully), I am supporting most of my weight on my right arm.  Not everyone can do that.

[KLRDMD]

22 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

I know this is an old post, but it reminded me of a woman I had in mine recently.  She is a little younger than me, but has really bad arthritis in her hands.  Wasn't sure we were going to get her out.  I never analyzed it before, but that experience reminded me that when I roll out onto the wing (un-gracefully), I am supporting most of my weight on my right arm.  Not everyone can do that.

One of my biggest concerns is getting the right seat passenger out quickly in an emergency. I don't believe I would have done that flight.

[Fly Boomer]

1 minute ago, KLRDMD said:

One of my biggest concerns is getting the right seat passenger out quickly in an emergency. I don't believe I would have done that flight.

On that occasion, there was no flying -- just a "try out".

[wings_level]

I guess another thing that I have thought about.  Are these folks realizing the compactness of small planes like the Mooney, or when you show up in a Mooney they are disappointed your not in a TBM or Malibu?  I would hope they would be just grateful to get a ride.

[midlifeflyer]

8 hours ago, wings_level said:

I guess another thing that I have thought about.  Are these folks realizing the compactness of small planes like the Mooney, or when you show up in a Mooney they are disappointed your not in a TBM or Malibu?  I would hope they would be just grateful to get a ride.

The seasoned travelers know. New travelers are generally informed but need a PIC who will explain before the flight. My usual explanation is, you will be riding in something the size of a Volkswagen.  I've done mine in  Comanche, 182, and Cirrus. I rode along with one in an M20E. I've known of enjoyable Angel Flights done in 2 seaters. 

With very rare exceptions, passengers are extremely grateful. The program would not have lasted long if they weren't.

Funny story from a friend who flew a Cirrus. Passenger asked to bring two friends along for a shopping trip. She was a little disappointed. Her last Angel Flight was in a King Air. 

[jlunseth]

To date I have flown 93 missions in my K. Mobility has not been an issue, although I always bring it up in the first phone call to the patient. I have carried passengers as heavy as 295, one young girl with cerebral palsy, and one passenger whose wheelchair we had to find a way to stow in the aircraft. They are in general so grateful to get a flight to the doctor that any difficulty getting in and out of the aircraft is a very distant concern. Angel Flight Central also does a good job of making clear to the patients that they must be able to get in and out of a light aircraft. I just have not found it to be a concern at all.

[wings_level]

Looking at the post mission report, it is asking for Hourly Value of Operating Aircraft.  What are you guys putting as that value? 

[midlifeflyer]

6 minutes ago, wings_level said:

Looking at the post mission report, it is asking for Hourly Value of Operating Aircraft.  What are you guys putting as that value? 

The question is primarily for marketing by Angel flight ("our pilots have spent $XXXXXX in flight time to help others"), so it's mostly a guestimate.  I would search for flight schools and clubs which have an airplane like yours and use their rental cost as a guide.

(The question might also assist in determining the value of the charitable deduction - the only "compensation" the FAA permits - but while most agree that the amount you pay for a rental is deductible, the jury is out on whether anything other than direct costs attributable to the flight can be deducted in the case of an owner. An  answer is above my pay grade.)

[wings_level]

2 minutes ago, midlifeflyer said:

The question is primarily for marketing by Angel flight ("our pilots have spent $XXXXXX in flight time to help others"), so it's mostly a guestimate.  I would search for flight schools and clubs which have an airplane like yours and use their rental cost as a guide.

(The question might also assist in determining the value of the charitable deduction - the only "compensation" the FAA permits - but while most agree that the amount you pay for a rental is deductible, the jury is out on whether anything other than direct costs attributable to the flight can be deducted in the case of an owner. An  answer is above my pay grade.)

Agree, it’s above my pay grade as well.  I was just wondering what others were doing.  But you bring up a good point, if I rent the airplane I believe I could use whatever spent for rental rate.  So wondering if others are doing a value of say $150/hour, since it does ask for the value of operating.  To me, the value of operating the aircraft is the same whether I’m doing a charity flight or going to the beach (includes both fixed and variable cost). From a charitable deduction standpoint it would be different, be it just ask value.  Maybe I’m answering my own question.

[carusoam]

Hourly operating costs are interesting, and easy to calculate….

But, the answer is always going to be how accurate are your numbers…?

FAA gives us the list of shared expenses we can apply directly to a flight… fuel, oil, airport fees, etc… (find the list)

Realistically, our hourly costs include the annual, insurance and hangar….

In the past… I always knew how much it costs per year…

Dividing that cost by the usual hours flown….

 

know that calculating hourly costs for your plane can be painful to do…

Using typical rental costs should be close enough…

 

Also know that the IRS gives a dollar per mile figure you can use….

Review with the charitable organization… because they may be writing you a receipt for the donation… you will want the details to be accurate if you will be claiming a charitable deduction…

PP thoughts only, not an accountant…

Best regards,

-a-

[jlunseth]

This is not such a simple question. Since it involves one’s strategy for deducting costs related to Angel Flights, I am really reluctant to put in writing what I think the right strategy is. However, in making out those Mission Reports, you need to remember that you need a receipt at the end of the year for the in-kind services donated to the organization. In the organizations I am familiar with, that receipt is the annual total of the costs you reported. So you should give some thought, probably with your accountant, to deciding what your tax strategy is going to be so you put the right mission costs in those reports. For someone who flies just a couple of flights a year, probably direct fuel and miscellaneous costs (e.g. hotel for an overnight) are probably good enough. If you fly a significant amount of time for Angel Flight during the year then you need to make sure you are reporting enough costs.

Edited May 8, 2023 by jlunseth