Volunteering Pilot Services

[Always deferred]

I was furloughed from FLYi in Jan. and took up a desk job in Washington. Im looking to get back into GA flying, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with any of the charitable flying organizations such as AngelFlight or Lifeflight, where you volunteer your services to fly medical patients, and organs. I appreciate any responses.

Thank you.

 

[HughBeamont]

I was a member of both organizations for two years when I owned a Skyhawk a few years ago. I don't know how they have evolved since, but then they were both great. You looked at a list of open flights that specified the date, # pax, start and end points. You signed up, and assuming the weather was decent enough, off you went.

The people I met were all extremely nice, and very thankful. Many of them were in a world of hurt, and helping them was without a doubt my proudest moment as a pilot thus far. Given the industry trajectory, it probably will be for a long time.

The beautiful thing about renting an aircraft and doing volunteer flights is that they are entirely tax deductible as charitable contributions. Every cent. If you own, you can deduct direct operating costs (and whatever you feel you can get away with).

 

[Towelie]

A friend of mine has been flying for Wings of Mercy for some time and he has lots of good things to say about it.

Good luck to you. That is definitely a noble cause!