Angel Flights A few Questions for Peter R. or any other Participant

Blanche wrote in
:

Altho AngelFlight is the "umbrella" organization, there are 5
geographic areas in the US. Check out the AFW website for details if
you're not able to get to you local AF website.

www.angelflight.org

http://www.angelflightamerica.org/ will get you to the main web site.
From there you can pick your part of the country and it will link you
to the appropriate regional web site.

As others have said, the liability release is of questionable value, but
does show intent. [You can not waive others right to sue.] Most states
have a good samaritan law and you are pretty well protected unless you
have done something really stupid (like kill two six-packs of Coors just
before takeoff). I don't believe we have EVER had a suit brought
against us.

Beyond that, it's a matter of volunteering. Some pilots have more spare
time and take twenty or forty or more missions a year. Some are
students who have to collect empty pop bottles along the roadside to get
enough money for a couple of hours rental and so they may take one
mission a year. Every one of those missions help someone, and all are
appreciated.

Most flights are in your "average" four seater (PA28 or C-172 class
planes). The average mission is a patient and companion, with 50
pounds total baggage - normally well within the flight parameters. But
some are just one person or cargo (frequently blood or milk). Others
have special weight or cargo size issues. You look at the list of
what's available, say to yourself "Hmmm... never been to *that* airport
before," check the weight and other issues, and either volunteer or not.
It's that simple.

Flying the mission - it's not that different from flying a friend of the
family. The patients must be ambulatory. We are NOT an air ambulance
service. Having said that, we certainly *do* try to make them as
comfortable as possible and certainly want them to have a pleasant
flight. Some will be enthusiastic about the flight and want to talk;
some will be tired from treatment and may sleep most of the way.

Different regions have slightly different pilot requirements, usually
driven by the typical weather for that area. Most want a Private Pilot
or better, about 200 hours total time, and the usual legal requirements
(current pilot and plane). A few require an Instrument rating. Angel
Flight SC requires that you have liability insurance (but it could be
$10 worth - you just have to have some). A couple may want a small
signup fee (which I personally object to), the others do not.

Please visit the sites, and feel free to e:mail me any questions you
have.

James M. Knox
Chairman - Angel Flight South Central




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James M. Knox
TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331
Austin, Tx 78721
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