May Safety Update: “The Hero Trap” May 26, 2026 The Hero Trap: The Five Hazardous Attitudes and Volunteer Pilot Risk Written by Alexi Stavropoulos The FAA teaches five hazardous attitudes that can degrade pilot decision-making. These come straight out of aeronautical decision-making (ADM) training and are highly relevant to safety — especially in emotionally driven missions like philanthropic flying. We will continue, therefore, from previous articl… LindseyK Read More »
Meet New Alaska Wing Leader Tom Kleeman May 14, 2026 Angel Flight West is proud to announce the expansion of our volunteer pilot network in the Alaska Wing. For many years, our work in Alaska has centered on missions supported through the generosity of our partners at Alaska Airlines. This marks an important next step as we begin to expand our presence and deepen our commitment to serving communities across the state. We will be starting with missions to the Anchorage a… LindseyK Read More »
Spotlight: Volunteer Pilot Stuart Jackson of Wyoming April 22, 2026 Command Pilot Stuart Jackson pictured at far right during a 2025 Flights of Joy mission. Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots carry out acts of generosity each day by donating their time, talent, and resources to help others. Each time a mission is flown, a patient accesses the healthcare resources they need while being uplifted with hope. Meet the volunteers who make it all possible in this monthly newsletter and,… LindseyK Read More »
Serving AFW Passengers Alaura and Shirlee March 27, 2026 Volunteer Impact and the Dr. Randy Sherman Access for All Fund Four-year-old Alaura and her mom Shirlee became AFW passengers in 2025 after significant flooding in Seattle put a dent in their travel plans for an upcoming appointment at Seattle Children’s. “When the flooding happened, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to drive,” shared Shirlee. Alaura had been diagnosed with cancer two years prior, requiri… LindseyK Read More »
Spotlight: Volunteer Pilot Shalil Jain of Colorado March 25, 2026 Command Pilot Shalil Jain (right) pictured with passenger Thomas (left) Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots carry out acts of generosity each day by donating their time, talent, and resources to help others. Each time a mission is flown, a patient accesses the healthcare resources they need while being uplifted with hope. Meet the volunteers who make it all possible in this monthly newsletter and, if you’re a pil… LindseyK Read More »
Healthcare Partner Spotlight: Meet Annabelle, Nurse at University of Utah March 17, 2026 Command Pilot Mark Oveson of Utah pictured with passenger Trisha Meet our healthcare partner, Annabelle Baumgartner. She has been requesting flights with Angel Flight West since 2025 as a Nurse in the Hematology Department at University of Utah Health. Each year, AFW works with healthcare professionals like Annabelle to ensure patients can access the vital care they need. Learn more at https://angelflightwes… LindseyK Read More »
Join Us at the 2026 Endeavor Awards! March 12, 2026 For Immediate Release: 3/12/26 Contact: Jessica Hayes [email protected] Director of Communications Angel Flight West Angel Flight West is proud to announce the highly anticipated 2026 Endeavor Awards, celebrating the remarkable contributions of volunteer pilots and other aviation heroes who use the power of flight to change lives. The 12… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Spotlight: Volunteer Pilot Bill Banta of Idaho February 20, 2026 Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots carry out acts of generosity each day by donating their time, talent, and resources to help others. Each time a mission is flown, a patient accesses the healthcare resources they need while being uplifted with hope. Meet the volunteers who make it all possible in this monthly newsletter and, if you’re a pilot in the West, get involved today by visiting angelflightwest.org/pilo… LindseyK Read More »
Honoring a Friend, a Pilot, a Legacy — Steve Danz February 19, 2026 Written by Cheri Cimmarrusti I want to take a little time to pay tribute to my friend Steve Danz. Yes, he was a Command Pilot and a dedicated Board Member — but more than that, he was my friend. Steve joined Angel Flight West in 1998 and flew his first mission in 2000, piloting a Cessna 340 out of Van Nuys. Once he began flying missions, there was simply no stopping him. By the time he completed his final mission in late 2… LindseyK Read More »
February Safety Update: Fatigue, “Duty Time”, and the Long Day Trap February 4, 2026 Flying for Angel Flight West (AFW), or any philanthropic flying, is among the most meaningful work a general aviation pilot can do. Volunteer pilots, Earth Angels and all AFW staff and volunteers bring skill and compassion together in service to others. But these missions also introduce a unique set of risks – many of which are subtle, cumulative, and easy to underestimate. Let us examine those risks under th… Safety Officers Read More »
New Director of Development: Meet April Tam January 27, 2026 We’re excited to introduce Angel Flight West’s new Director of Development, April Tam! April is a seasoned professional with expertise in event planning, fundraising, program design, and leadership development. A first-generation college student, she has built a career spanning over a decade across higher education, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector — leading initiatives for organi… LindseyK Read More »
Spotlight: Volunteer Pilot Jeremy Albright of Arizona January 22, 2026 Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots carry out acts of generosity each day by donating their time, talent, and resources to help others. Each time a mission is flown, a patient accesses the healthcare resources they need while being uplifted with hope. Meet the volunteers who make it all possible in this monthly newsletter and, if you’re a pilot in the West, get involved today by visiting angelflightwest.org/pilo… LindseyK Read More »
A Thank You Letter from Passenger Shannon December 31, 2025 Our passenger Shannon shares her gratitude to Angel Flight West volunteers and supporters in a letter below for their generosity in 2025. To Angel Flight West Volunteers, Supporters, and Staff, I am here to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude for everything you have done for my son Kane and for our family. Your support has made a tremendous difference during a time in our lives when the simplest tasks — like tr… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Intern Reflection: Meet Elizabeth December 28, 2025 My name is Elizabeth Walloch and I have been a communications intern at Angel Flight West since September this year. I’m a senior at The University of Montana pursuing a bachelors degree in communications and certificates in health communication and entertainment management. When I’m not studying or creating content for AFW, you can usually find me at practice with my teammates or danc… [email protected] Read More »
From AFW Passenger Amelia December 23, 2025 For 17 years, Amelia’s sons, Jamisen and Cian, relied on AFW flights to access the specialized care they needed at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Amelia shares their story below, grateful that other families will continue to find hope and support through the gift of flight. Amelia shares: I remember the moment we heard about Angel Flight West (AFW) from Nurse Kathy at Children’s Hospital Los Angele… Jessica Hayes Read More »
