Welcome, New Volunteers!
We’re glad you’re here. This page is a resource for new volunteers navigating the orientation process and volunteers who have completed orientation and want to prepare to fly their first mission.
Transportation challenges create one of the most daunting barriers to healthcare—a barrier second only to the cost. As a volunteer, you’ll make an immeasurable difference by helping people fly to their medical appointments. Each day, our network of volunteers donate their time, fuel, aircraft, and talent to ensure people can reach their far-off, life-saving medical care.
Thank you for being part of the solution to ease the burden of transportation for families across the West.
"I Want to Fly Angel Flights But..."
Do you have questions or concerns about becoming an Angel Flight West volunteer pilot?
Check out this recorded webinar by Volunteer Pilot Jim Pitman and have some of your questions answered today.
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer Pilot
When you filled out your application to Angel Flight West, you created a username and password. This is what you will use to login and complete your orientation.
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STEP 1
Read and review the AFW Command Pilot’s Manual.
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STEP 2
Complete the required AOPA ASI Public Benefit Flying course found on the AOPA Education webpage. Make sure to save your certificate of completion - you'll need to upload it with your documents later.
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STEP 3
If you haven't already, complete the free background screening by checking your email for an email regarding the TrueHire portal. Can't find the information? Email our Volunteer Services Team at [email protected].
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STEP 4
Complete your online Command Pilot Orientation.
Lesson 1: Introduction – Getting to Know Us (30 minutes)
Lesson 2: Mission Processes & Procedures (20 minutes)
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STEP 5
Assemble the required documents to upload to your profile:
AOPA Safety Foundation Course Certificate
Proof of Aircraft Insurance
Profile photo
Pilot certificate
Proof of PIC hours
Medical certification
Most recent BFR
Safety Questionnaire -
STEP 6
Congratulations on finishing your orientation! You'll be updated to Command Pilot status shortly. We encourage new volunteers to reach out to our team or wing leaders as you prepare to request missions.
What's next? Click here to learn more about preparing for your first angel flight.
Meet Your Wing Leaders
Each state has a wing leader, available to help guide you on your journey to becoming an Angel Flight West volunteer pilot!
- Arizona Wing Leader - Email Alan Underwood
- N. California Wing Leader - Email Gil Takemori
- S. California Wing Leader - Email Jeff Moorhouse
- Colorado Wing Leader - Email Stan VanderWerf
- Hawaii Wing Leader - Email Ace Ellinwood
- Idaho Wing Leader - Email Don Reiman
- Montana Wing Leader - Email Our Team
- Nevada Wing Leader - Email Shawn Linch
- Oregon Wing Leader - Email Rob Brunner
- Utah Wing Leader - Email Lou Rossi
- Washington Wing Leader - Email Ricardo Lagos
- Wyoming Wing Leader - Email Our Team
Tips Before Flying Your First Mission
Download the Angel Flight West mobile app from the Google Play™ store and the Apple App Store®. Log in to the app using the same username you created for the website.
The new volunteer portal hosts the basic functions underpinning the volunteer experience.
- View and request available missions
- View itinerary of assigned missions
- File mission report for completed missions
- Complete volunteer renewal
- Update volunteer information
Login to the current volunteer portal.
Click here to learn about the new volunteer portal and how it works.
Here’s just a few FAQs that might cross your mind as you start your Angel Flight West journey:
Communication SOP’s: How should I communicate with my passenger & AFW staff?
We ask that once you sign up and are accepted for an AFW mission, you reach out to the passenger to introduce yourself, give a brief explanation about what they can expect, confirm weight/baggage information, and pass along specific logistical details (where and when to meet). If you have any trouble reaching the passenger at all, please let the Coordination Team know, and we’ll explore all avenues to make sure the passenger gets in contact with you.
If you need to make any changes or cancellations to a mission, please reach out to the Angel Flight West Mission Ops Team at (310) 390-2958 or e-mail us at [email protected]. If it’s a time sensitive change/cancellation, please call our office line (310) 390-2958 or call our after-hours number (800) 413-1360 to reach the on-call coordinator.
Answering Service: If it’s after normal business hours or on the weekend and you must change or cancel a mission happening the next business day, you can reach an on-call coordinator by dialing the answering service line: (800) 413-1360
Weather Uncertainty: Should I sign up to fly?
Yes! We always encourage pilots to sign up in advance. Mission Ops makes sure passengers have a back-up plan in place or the ability to reschedule, and in some cases, the coordination team arranges a back-up plan for the passenger. We only ask that you keep us in the loop about evolving weather conditions as the date approaches.
Is there a fuel discount or reimbursement program?
Many FBOs offer fuel discounts and/or waive ramp fees for AFW pilots. The discount offer can vary by location and is influenced by current fuel prices and FBO management. Please ask when you arrive at the FBO if they offer a fuel discount or waive ramp fees, and, if required by the FBO, be prepared to show your flight itinerary as confirmation that you are on a mission.
Phillips 66® Aviation is committed to supporting pilots that volunteer their time and aircraft to provide free air transportation for those who would not be able to get from where they are to where they need for compelling reasons. As a supporter of these pilots and the non-profit organizations that arrange the flights, Phillips 66® has agreed to provide Angel Flight West Pilots a $1-per-gallon avgas rebate.
More details about this program here.
Click here to view more frequently asked questions from new Command Pilots.
After signing up for your first mission, review the Flight Risk Assessment Tool.
The Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) is a tool to help you as the Command Pilot of an Angel Flight evaluate the risk factors of a particular flight. The FRAT is a common tool among commercial pilots and other communities to enhance the safety of flight operations. We have provided the tool as a way for you to improve the safety of your flight. It is not required, but we do encourage you to use the tool for every flight.
After flying your first mission, it’s time to fill out your first mission report in a timely matter. Click here to learn more about filling out a mission report.
Follow us on Social Media!
With passenger permission, we encourage volunteer pilots to share their Angel Flight West story and tag @angelflightwest. By sharing your story, you’ll help us reach more volunteers, passengers, partners, and supporters.
Before posting pictures of a passenger during a flight, ask permission and let passengers know you intend to post and/or submit the photos to Angel Flight West. Remember, many passengers may be comfortable with photos being posted but may not want their medical diagnosis listed. Click here to review the Volunteer Communications Policy.
We encourage you to submit photos and to leave comments about your mission when filling out the Mission Report. When you submit photos to AFW, we’ll check each passenger’s photo release before sharing.