VOLUNTEERS

Pilots

Angel Flight British Columbia was launched, in April 2002, to provide free aerial transport for patients and their escorts to and from treatment centres. Angel Flight British Columbia is a volunteer organization with no paid employees and a significant ground support system and excellent sponsors. Angel Flight operates in accordance with Canadian Aviation Regulations under an Exemption granted by Transport Canada. As such we are able to cover fuel costs for Angel Flights.

Initially Angel Flight concentrated on children with cancer who had to travel from their homes on Vancouver Island to Children's Hospital in Vancouver for their treatment. As we have grown so our horizons have expanded and our clientele now includes a broad variety of patients, from the very young to the very old, who need to travel significant distances for medical treatment or specialist appointments. The criterion for carrying patients is their ability to climb into and out of small aircraft with little or no assistance.

Our area of operations has also expanded as we have grown and in, 2003, Transport Canada approved expansion plans that enable us to operate throughout Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and parts of the Lower Mainland of BC. We remain a VFR, daylight operation with some limited flexibility for IFR and night flights.

What does the service mean to our clients? Imagine the child who is faced with the car and ferry ride across to Vancouver for chemotherapy and then being faced with either the long journey back home the same day or overnight accommodation in Vancouver, if it is available. The first option could mean over eight hours travelling whilst the second means a night in a strange place when they are feeling very low.

Now look at the Angel Flight alternative. The flight is tailored to the client' requirements with regard to timing; the thrill of a flight in a small aircraft to take their mind away from what lies ahead or has just been endured. Comforted in the knowledge they will be home and in their own bed that night.

Other examples can be quoted but it all means that we, at Angel Flight, need you, as pilots, to help us help these folks! Download the Pilots Application Form below now and come and enjoy one of the greatest rewards of your life - helping those less fortunate than ourselves!

To apply as a new pilot or login to the crew room please click here.