Every 30 minutes somewhere in the nation a small miracle is taking place. But far from divine intervention, the work of Angel Flight America is one that requires the work and coordination of many angelic souls – the bulk of which hold a license to fly. Comprised of more than 7,000 volunteer pilots across the United States, Angel Flight America is the largest charitable air transportation organization in the world. Last year alone, they lent a helping hand to more than 57,000 individuals across the country that needed to board a flight, but couldn’t afford to do so. Founded on the premise that no one should go without medical attention, the organization coordinates at least one pro bono medical assistance flight every 30 minutes in the United States. Seven member organizations in the United States arrange free flights of hope and healing by transporting-

© Angel Flight South Central A majority of Angel Flight South Central's patients fly into the Texas Medical Center.

- patients and their families in private small airplanes to specialized medical treatment facilities across the nation.

“When you’re sick, the last thing you need to be worrying about is booking a flight,” said Cindy Palmer, director of development and special events for the Angel Flight South Central region, “much less should you be worrying about paying for a flight.”

Six of the member organizations coordinate regional Angel Flight missions in the continental United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii. The seventh group, Mercy Medical Airlift, coordinates free airline tickets for Angel Flight missions of over 1,000 miles and negotiates low cost air ambulance service for individuals and families who are in need of this special service.

Each one of the seven member nonprofit organizations is an independent operating entity that has its own executive board and staff. Nonetheless, they all do work together and share the same common goal of providing free air service to people in need. Here in Houston, Angel Flight South Central opened their newest facility in this region of the country last month at Hobby Airport. The new receiving hangar was opened as a result of charitable donations and provides a safe haven for those passengers seeking a quiet and peaceful journey on their way to seek medical attention.  Angel Flight South Central serves a seven-state region that includes Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, parts of New Mexico, and western Tennessee and Mississippi. A majority of their medical flights for this region are coming into Houston’s Texas Medical Center for treatment.

© Angel Flight South Central Volunteer pilots use personal aircraft to transport patients across the country.

“Seventy five percent of our patients are coming into Houston,” Palmer said.

For that reason the organization is certain having a Hobby facility will allow them to better serve their patrons. Most flights into Houston go through Hobby Airport, although some do go through Ellington Field as well.

While the director notes that Angel Flight is only in the beginning stages on how to use this new receiving hangar, she did say that they are hoping to recruit more pilots in the Houston area. “We work off of donations so we’re always in need of more pilots,” Palmer said. “Houston being our largest destination has (a large number of) pilots that fly our patients back home when they are through with their medical treatment, however, we could always use more.” Pilots that fly for Angel Flight do not receive any compensation and usually use their own aircraft in moving patients. Before they are allowed to fly, these individuals must comply with a rigorous set of requirements: they must have 250 hours of flying experience, must be rated, have insurance and be certified. “Most of these people just love to fly…we have attorneys, realtors, businessmen, women and engineers that fly for us,” Palmer said. “We give them a meaningful purpose for doing so.”

© Angel Flight South Central Children are a major part of the clientele served by Angel Flight South Central.

In order to qualify for Angel Flight services individuals need only apply. Most, however, are either referred by doctors or social workers at hospitals or by community organizations such as health care centers and/or churches. Angel Flight South Central does not perform any means testing for their patients.

According to Palmer, 99 percent of the patients that seek service from Angel Flight receive it. Some patients are not allowed to fly by their physicians because of the severity of their medical conditions.

“If you need to be flown, we fly you,” Palmer said.

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