Passengers’ Feedback April 24, 2014 After each mission, we send out a Mission Feedback Survey that passengers can fill out to share their experiences with the Mission Operations Team. For many patients traveling to and from treatment, transportation is a significant burden that could block their ability to receive the care that they need. Angel Flight West pilots can make a huge difference in passengers’ lives by volunteering their own skill… Jill Dannis Read More »
AFW Requesters – Frequent Comments & Questions March 25, 2014 Angel Flight West utilizes aviation to increase health care access in order to improve health outcomes for critically ill people living within its service area. AFW is focused on increasing requests for service, which have declined in recent years. A requester can be any individual working at a health care facility, including a doctor, nurse, or social worker. Through a survey, AFW sought to better understand so… Jill Dannis Read More »
AFW’s First Google Hangount March 5, 2014 Angel Flight West has released its first-ever Google Hangout! This video is the first in a series of broadcasts meant to keep you informed about what’s going on at Angel Flight, as well as to provide tips and other ideas that might be helpful. Our Google hangouts are meant to be useful for a variety of audiences, so we hope there is some information that you can share with your family, friends, or passengers. Havin… Jill Dannis Read More »
Thoughts From Some of Our AFW Volunteer Pilots February 28, 2014 Our Volunteer Pilots are essential to operations here at AFW, the spinner to our propellers if you will. We simply could not provide compassionate air travel to hundreds of people and families in the West each year without our dedicated and compassionate group of volunteer pilots. We can give you dozens of reasons to volunteer as a pilot and fly with AFW, (actually more than dozens, there are about a hundred missions w… Josh Olson Read More »
First Flight on a Small Plane – From a Teen’s Perspective January 29, 2014 Angel Flight West flies patients of all ages to medical treatment. This week, we are going to focus on what it is like for a teenage patient flying to treatment with volunteer pilots. In 2013, Angel Flight West pilots flew a total of 485 flights for 172 passengers age 12-18. Some of these teens were flying for the first time with AFW and some were longtime passengers continuing their treatment. Kody took his first flig… Jill Dannis Read More »
AFW Membership Dues Policy January 23, 2014 I understand you have questions about Angel Flight West’s (AFW) membership dues policy. At its inception 30 years ago, Angel Flight West’s founders wanted each volunteer to be committed to our mission and have a stake in the organization. An important component of membership is having all who join pay a nominal application fee of $50 and then, in subsequent years on their anniversary date pay annual dues, currently… Alan Dias Read More »
In the Hanger: Jill Dannis January 3, 2014 Jill Dannis Jill Dannis is one of our newest mission operations coordinators. She originally came to AFW as an intern in the spring of 2011 after seeing a job post from AFW on the Loyola Marymount University student career services website. As an intern that spring, Jill did general office work while also training to be a mission coordinato… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Preparing Your Family to Fly: Practical tips to get ready for a medical flight December 20, 2013 You likely know by now that flying in a 4 to 6 seat aircraft is different than flying commercially. So what can you do to prepare yourself, and your kids, for a private flight to medical treatment or wherever you need our volunteer pilots to take you? There are a few simple things you can do to keep yourself and your children safe and comfortable on the flight. Hearing protection: Earplugs or a protective headset are neces… Josh Olson Read More »
How to Choose the Best Medical Treatment Outside your Hometown December 13, 2013 If you have cancer or another serious medical condition, you want to have the best possible treatment. But what do you do if you’re in a small town without specialized care or treatment options? What if you need a second opinion for a medical diagnosis? The decision to get medical treatment away from your hometown is an important one. Here are a few suggestions to help you make the best decision about treatment: Revie… Josh Olson Read More »
Techniques to Help Relax While You Fly to Medical Treatment. December 9, 2013 We’ve talked about ways to help a young child get comfortable with the idea of flying in a small plane. But what about those of us rational, level headed adults who have a fear of flying? When you are ready to take your first trip with Angel Flight West, we want you to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience. If you’re nervous about flying to medical treatment, you can use breathing exercises to help calm you during your fi… Josh Olson Read More »
Questions to Ask your Doctor about Flying for Medical Treatment December 6, 2013 It’s always a good idea to prepare a list of questions for your doctor’s appointments, so you can think about what you want to know before you’re in the stressful setting of a doctor’s office. If you are flying with Angel Flight West for surgery or medical treatment, here are a few questions to help you and your medical team plan your trip: 1. How soon can I fly after surgery or treatment? The time may vary greatly depending… Josh Olson Read More »
Resources to Prepare Your Child for Flight on a Small Plane December 4, 2013 Once your Angel Flight West Flight request is vetted with a healthcare professional and approved by an AFW coordinator, we will start preparations to connect you with one of our volunteer pilots, and you’ll be ready to take the next steps on the wings of “angels”. If the flight includes a small child, here are some materials to help prepare your child for their very first flight, or their first flight on a small plane. Fl… Josh Olson Read More »
New Electronic Waivers November 25, 2013 Here’s some good news from the mission coordination team: AFIDS now has an electronic version of the liability waiver form. This should make the waiver process simpler and more convenient both for our pilots and our passengers. The electronic waiver can be used on computers, tablets and smart phones. Passengers can “sign” the form using a mouse on the computer, or using their finger or a stylus on a tablet or ph… Josh Olson Read More »
Caregiving Resources November 22, 2013 Life happens, and being a caregiver can be overwhelming. We hope you have excellent doctors, nurses, social workers, and certainly family and friends who help you with day-to-day challenges and important healthcare decisions. One of those decisions may well be how you can regularly get to your treatment center. Remember you can count on AFW to help with free flights to medical treatment. Caregiving is rewarding a… Josh Olson Read More »
Medical Transportation from Angel Flight West: How Does it Work? November 18, 2013 At Angel Flight West we want you to know that good things come in threes. Two wings and an engine make a trio to provide flights for medical or humanitarian services. A pilot, a passenger in need and an AFW coordinator brought together “give hope wings” by arranging vital travel. A critically ill teen, a medical team and a new liver can all be connected by a volunteer pilot from Angel Flight West. Service, impact and help a… Josh Olson Read More »
