New Board Member: Meet Mary Noli Pilkington November 5, 2024 We’re thrilled to introduce AFW’s newest board member, Mary Noli Pilkington! Mary is the Senior Director of The Department of Care Coordination and Clinical Social Work at UCLA Health: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center; UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital; UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, UCLA West Valley Medical Director, Transplant Services, and pediatric ambulatory care. As Senior Director, Mary provides d… Jessica Hayes Read More »
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 »
From a Volunteer: Driving the Last Mile August 5, 2024 Written by Clay Ross, AFW Area Leader for the Bay Area What do Angel Flight West (AFW) missions and the Internet have in common? The Internet is built to move data extremely quickly from one city to another. But that short segment between the nearest router and your home or business is much slower. The networking industry refers to this challenging, less-efficient segment as, “The Last Mile.” For… afw_web_admin Read More »
Spotlight on an Angel: Meet Phillip Council August 5, 2024 Meet AFW Volunteer Pilot Council I’m a first-generation pilot and got my start in aviation as a mechanic. How I ended up in the front of airplanes is a long story, but it started in the Air Force in 2008, when I was a crew chief on F-16’s. After some time doing that, I wanted closer to the action, so I changed my job and started flying as an enlisted crew member in the C-130J. Looking at options for my future… afw_web_admin Read More »
Volunteer Spotlight: Dan Hangs Up His Wings June 25, 2024 Meet Dan Marks, a dedicated volunteer pilot whose aviation journey began when he was in his 40s. While working at Torrance Airport in Southern California, Dan started taking flying lessons and quickly fell in love with the thrill of soaring through the clouds. He acquired multiple aircraft, with his latest being a Cessna T210, and earned multi-engine rating. His journey took a meaningful turn when he joined… Manal Chaali Read More »
Run for the Angels 5K: Eight Years of Impact June 18, 2024 Join us in-person or virtually for the Run for the Angels 5K, taking place on September 28, 2024. Visit angelflightwest.org/5K to register and learn more. Each year, HDR hosts the Run for the Angels 5K in Broomfield, Colorado on an airport runway in support of Angel Flight West. The family-friendly event has enabled AFW to arrange hundreds of missions over the years while raising awareness about our services in the C… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Spotlight on an Angel: Meet Two-Year-Old Taylor May 21, 2024 The beginning of 2024 came, and Taylor was an active two-year-old trying her best to keep up with her three older sisters all the while trying to show the world she was the boss, which in some cases, she was! Then out of nowhere, she developed what we now know is called Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Ataxia syndrome which is a rare neurological disorder affecting only one in 5 million children each year. The first noticeable sym… Jessica Hayes Read More »
AFW’s New Partnership with The Service Dog Connection March 29, 2024 In addition to flying passengers to their far-off medical care, Angel Flight West provides services for other compelling needs, including flights for our furry, four-legged friends. One of those newest partnerships took off last week with the The Service Dog Connection in Bend, OR, an organization that places trained service dogs with families to support individuals with disabilities. “We had our first missio… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Meet New Idaho Wing Leader Don Reiman March 1, 2024 Please help us welcome Don Reiman as AFW’s new Idaho Wing Leader! Don has been a volunteer with AFW for years with 14 missions to date in his Cessna T210. We’re thrilled to welcome him to this new volunteer leadership role. Don says, “I am passionate about many things from helping others to exploring the great outdoors. As the Founder and President of Echelon Group, I channel my passions into my professional life… 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 »
Meet AFW’s Newest Board Member, Richard Beattie January 19, 2024 We’re thrilled to introduce AFW’s newest board member, Richard Beattie! Richard is retired and lives with his wife Adrienne in Anacortes, WA. A UK/US dual citizen, he spent his career in the automotive and powersports industries. Richard’s most recent position was Chief Operating Officer for Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, responsible for marketing, sales and service for all of Kawasaki’s recreatio… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Announcing New Wing Leaders in UT, AZ, WA, and NV. January 19, 2024 We’re thrilled to announce new wing leaders in four states, including Lou Rossi (Utah), Alan Underwood (Arizona), Shawn Linch (Nevada), and Ricardo Lagos (Washington). Additionally, we’re excited to share that Dave Lombard will take on the role of area leader for Central California. We also share our gratitude and thanks to our outgoing wing leaders, including Steve Bollinger (Utah), Tim Barrios (Arizo… Jessica Hayes 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 »
Meet Marlene: Driving Passengers the Last Mile to Care November 16, 2023 Marlene with Romero, a passenger she drives to treatment regularly For nurses like Marlene Hutchison, giving is second nature. She spent her career in health care, ensuring patients were well taken care of while helping them recover from a range of conditions and illnesses. That’s why when she came across Angel Flight West while browsing the web a few years ago, she knew she had to get involved. After all, the world of… Jessica Hayes Read More »
