A Reason to Fly: Spotlight on AFW Volunteer Pilot Joshua Pava October 16, 2024 Joshua Pava has always been fascinated by aviation. As a youngster, he used to do his homework at the local airport, watching planes as they took off and landed. “I always wanted to be a pilot when I grew up, though I’m not sure I’ve grown up yet,” he jokes. Just starting out in his career, Josh worked in tech doing software development. “My past paid for my flight lessons,” he says. “I got my private, instrument, and commer… Jessica Hayes Read More »
A Heart for Helping: Meet AFW Volunteer Pilot Joseph Zammit August 28, 2024 Growing up on a farm in Michigan, the Earth beneath his feet was more familiar to Joseph Zammit than the sky. But even as a kid, Joseph found himself looking up toward the blue, dreaming of one day becoming a pilot or astronaut. “I always wanted to fly,” he says. Twenty years ago, Joseph achieved his goal, earning his private pilot license. But it wasn’t only about flying, it was about becoming a better, safer pilot, capab… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Intern Reflection: Meet Yohana May 9, 2024 My name is Yohana and I’ve been working at Angel Flight West (AFW) as the spring Communications and Marketing Intern since last December (2023). My journey with AFW has truly been an enriching experience, allowing me to grow personally and professionally, while gaining insights on the intricate efforts that AFW undertakes to make a difference in people’s lives. Stepping into the world of nonprofit work ha… YohanaG Read More »
Gloria’s Journey: Hope and Healing for Veterans April 29, 2024 Each year, AFW’s volunteer pilots fly dozens of missions to help veterans reach the Guardian Project, an outdoor therapy program organized by the White Heart Foundation where veterans battling post-traumatic stress or trauma can open up and relate to others who have had a similar experience. Your gift ensures veterans can access these crucial services as they strive for healing and recovery. Meet our passenger G… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund April 25, 2024 We dedicate this fund in loving memory of Dr. Randy Sherman, our trailblazing leader and friend, to further his vision for access to health care for all. Dr. Sherman was an inspirational force in the aviation and healthcare communities. He joined Angel Flight West as a volunteer 10 years ago and served as an amazing advocate, mentor, and champion for our cause. The care he showed his patients, combined with his… YohanaG Read More »
When Medical Care is Miles Away: Meet Cammy April 25, 2024 For people living in rural areas across the West, care can be difficult to access without additional resources and support. From already-costly medical bills to the burden of travel, crucial treatment can seem like a far-off reality. AFW’s passenger Cammy knows that experience well. Five years ago, Cammy’s medical team found a tumor in her brain, an overwhelming diagnosis that has also impacted her abil… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Special Guest Harrison Ford to Attend 10th Annual Endeavor Awards March 28, 2024 Dr. Randy Sherman to be honored posthumously at 10th Annual Endeavor Awards,award to be presented by Actor Harrison Ford An inspirational force in aviation and healthcare communities, Angel Flight West is pleased to announce that Dr. Randy Sherman will be honored (posthumously) at the 10th Annual Endeavor Awards in Los Angeles on May 10, 2024. The award will be presented by Actor Harrison Ford and accepted by Sher… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Meet Ace: AFW’s 2023 Top Flyer February 27, 2024 A retired Air Force pilot, member of the Hawaii Air National Guard, and pilot with Aloha Airlines, Hawaii Wing Leader Ace Ellinwood seems to have spent more time soaring through the skies than on the ground. After all, as Angel Flight West’s (AFW) 2023 top flyer, Ace flew an incredible 92 missions to help passengers travel between islands to access life-saving treatments. Ace first heard about AFW years ago at a local… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From our Team: Reflecting on Flights of Joy January 24, 2024 AFW Associate Executive Director Cheri Cimmarrusti reflects on this past year’s Flights of Joy. Flights of Joy in Arizona Flights of Joy in Wyoming Flights of Joy in Montana For the fourth year in a row, 2023 brought us Flights of Joy. In 2020, with our missions reduced significantly due to the ongoing pandemic, we were looking for a way to get our pilots flying in a way that was safe for everyone involved. A… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
A Principal’s Reflection: Utah’s Santa Flight January 9, 2024 Last month, AFW’s Utah volunteers brought holiday cheer to the students of Sunset Elementary School via this year’s Santa Flight! Since 2000, pilots have filled their airplanes with school supplies, books, hats, coats, backpacks, and toys for students at Title One schools in rural communities. We extend a sincere thank you to all our volunteers for making this possible, including the incredible Sa… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Helpful Hints from the Communications Corner December 4, 2022 Ways to Help We’d love to see more photos submitted from our Earth Angels! You can submit photos with your mission report or email [email protected] if you’re having trouble with submissions. Speaking of photos, VPOIDS requires photos to be 200 KB or larger. If you’re having any issue submitting photos, please send them directly to us at [email protected]. Note: Even if you don’t see yo… Jessica Hayes Read More »
What Can We Learn from Accidents? December 2, 2022 I was about to send out a Safety Newsletter on a different topic, when a recent event changed my mind. On a recent Saturday I had just returned from practicing a number of stalls in our Cessna T206, which I always enjoy doing. I was on the ramp at the Crownair FBO at MYF (Montgomery) talking with the line staff there. Looking north towards the runways, we noticed a Cirrus SR20 flying westbound over Runway 28R. It initially a… Rich Pickett Read More »
Unexpected Help: Tristan Travels 500+ Miles to Treatment September 25, 2022 Ashlee was eight-and-a-half months pregnant when her three-year-old son, Tristan, was diagnosed with leukemia. Suddenly, their family’s world was turned upside-down. Life was a dizzying blur, full of unanswered questions. “There’s so much information,” Ashlee said. “You don’t know what you’re going to need. You don’t know how you’re going to survive.” To further complicate matters, Ashlee and her husband, C… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Welcome New CO/WY Wing Leaders! August 15, 2022 We’re excited to announce new leadership in the Colorado and Wyoming Wings! It’s my pleasure to introduce Stan VanderWerf as incoming Wing Leader for the Colorado Wing! Stan VanderWerf serves District 3 on the Board of County Commissioners for El Paso County and is presently the Chair of the Board. Commissioner VanderWerf also serves as a voting member, and the only elected official, to the Colorado State Bo… Ivan Martinez Read More »
Volunteer Pilots Give Hope and Air Support to Jose August 11, 2022 As his eyesight gradually diminishes, Jose Reyes Del Valle has naturally found himself turning to various friends in his time of need — especially as reliable medical transportation can now be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, two of Jose’s newest friendships happen to be Angel Flight West volunteer pilots Trevor Moody and Yuriy Chanba. Together, Trevor and Yuriy have flown Jose on two… Jessica Hayes Read More »
