Wingspan: Outreach – I want to help, but where do I start? November 18, 2021 Awareness of our services is one of Angel Flight Wests’ biggest ongoing challenges. Most people don’t think about general aviation aircraft when trying to figure out how to access their medical care hundreds of miles away. That’s why outreach is so vital to our mission and growth, and why it’s up to us to reach out to those that need us most. As a grassroots-focused, volunteer-intensive organization, AFW relies on de… Ivan Martinez Read More »
From Cheri’s Desk: A Reflection on 24 Years November 18, 2021 Each year around this time, I tend to look back at my years here with AFW. As I pass the 24-year mark, memories of passengers past and present come to mind. But something that always makes me smile is thinking about those passengers who have been flying with us for many, many years. It is some of these folks who are the reason behind why we all care so much about what we do for AFW. That is true for staff and volunteers alike… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
In the Hangar: Meet AFW’s 3 new Board Members! November 18, 2021 Christy DeYoung is Founder and President of Jet RVSM Services, LLC, an Oregon based aviation services company. Jet RVSM combines regulatory expertise and technical writing to assist aircraft operators with international special airspace and equipment authorizations, safety management systems and related flight department FAA-compliance activities. Christy graduated from UC Davis with a BA in English an… Kaitlyn McQuown Read More »
Spotlight on an Angel: Command Pilot Chris Bennett November 18, 2021 To Command Pilot Chris Bennett, an Angel Flight represents more than a simple drop-off. Since he began flying missions in February of 2014, he has developed meaningful friendships with passengers who fly regularly with him. Two of these passengers are Eileen and Tiffany: two women in different walks of life, with different personalities, traveling for different reasons and for different treatments, but both ha… Kaitlyn McQuown Read More »
Communications Corner: The perfect setting for a story to be born November 18, 2021 An Angel Flight is the perfect setting for a story to be born. As a passenger and a pilot glide together above the clouds, looking down over landmarks, nature, and bustling cities or quiet countrysides, they connect in the air for a fleeting moment, as if time has stopped. The worries of both navigator and traveler are left on the ground for just a while, if ever so brief. In the case of Angel Flight West, that moment is part… Kaitlyn McQuown Read More »
AFW Safety: Flying at Night – Laser Dangers November 18, 2021 The team at Angel Flight West hope you are enjoying the fall season! Recently I did a mission from San Diego to Imperial in the Eclipse. It was a beautiful IFR departure through low level clouds out of Montgomery (MYF) then quickly over the clouds, watching the bright moon which my passengers and I enjoyed. Twenty minutes later I was landing on Runway 32 at Imperial (IPL). The airport can blend in with the surrounding lig… Rich Pickett Read More »
Angel Flight West Ascends Past 90,000 Missions November 18, 2021 In a quiet moment, pilot Jon Lange looks back from the cockpit of his Socata/TBM 700. Jon is one of 1,800 volunteer pilots who fly for Angel Flight West, and today he’s setting a milestone: this flight is the charitable aviation organization’s 90,000th mission. His passenger, Jenny, is gazing out the window at the clouds in wonder alongside her sister-in-law Alejandra. It’s Jenny’s first time i… Kaitlyn McQuown Read More »
