Angel Pilots Provide Free Air Transportation

By Daniel Taverne

Angel Flight is a volunteer organization that primarily provides free air transportation to men, women, and children to medical facilities for much needed medical care.

On September 23rd I began a journey to the Mayo Clinic located in Rochester, Minnesota. This trip would not have been possible if not for the generosity of a few real-life-angels who coordinated my missions and volunteered their time, aircraft and fuel to get me their and back.

The First pilot I met, Mr. Herman Hood, a 3½ year Angel flight veteran, pilots a beautiful single engine SR-22 . He buckled me into the co-pilot’s seat where I enjoyed learning about all the functions of his aircraft’s onboard computer that seemed to be able to do everything up to and including toasting bagels if needed. When I asked why he became an angel flight pilot, he explained: “It gives me a sense of purpose, a reason to be up here flying around and it makes me feel good knowing I’m helping others who need it.” To his credit, he has flown 145 missions thus far, including 33 this year alone.

Carey Mariash, the second pilot I met flies a twin engine Diamond. He’s owned the sleek looking aircraft for about 7 or 8 months. What an interesting and beautiful aircraft It is. Mr. Mariash pleasantly answered all my inquisitive questions concerning piloting airplanes, and Echoed Mr. Hood’s sentiment; explaining that Angel flight missions gives him both a reason to fly, and a sense of fulfillment. t.

I was also transported by pilot Paul Durand, a young man hailing from Osceola, Wisconsin. His aircraft, a tan and green Cessna 182 with a 235 horsepower motor is a beautiful work of functional art that Mr. Durand described as the workhorse of the Cessna brand. Having signed up as an angel flight pilot just 6 weeks ago, he said I was his very first mission.

The fifth and final Angel Flight pilot to transport me was David Powel . He and his cousin Danny Cook hailing from Tremble, TN, Transported me in a beautifully painted red white and blue 1951 bonanza beachcraft. As we spoke, Mr. Powell explained that his service as an angel flight pilot is a divine calling that he is pleased to fulfill. And in testament of that calling, he has completed 10 Angel Flight missions in the past 8 months.

To all of you who had a hand in getting me to and from my medical appointment, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You alleviated the financial obstacle of travel allowing me to get the medical attention I so desperately needed.

It’s important for the general public to know that even though a large percentage of Angel Flight costs are donated through the generosity of pilots such as those above, the angel flight organization still has significant expenses at each territory headquarters where mission coordination takes place. Rent for headquarters, electricity, the computer systems that must be maintained, printing, postage, salaries for mission coordinators and public education staff, and substantial phone bills do add up necessitating Angel flight’s need for monetary donations.

If you are a patient needing help, or if you are a humanitarian wishing to make a donation, call 1-800-296-1217 to get your appropriate territory information. If desired, you can also send an e-mail to angelflight@erols.com