Angel Flights A few Questions for Peter R. or any other Participant

Nomen Nescio wrote:
Peter,
After looking through the web sites that you referenced, I just have to say what a teriffic service
you are providing to those in need. Certainly a far more worthy cause than the $100 hamburger.
It's something that I would be very interested in becoming involved with and I have a few questions
that I really can only get answered by an active participant. And maybe a couple that you can't
answer.

1) liability issues
The release from Angel Flight East seems pretty straight forward, you're not liable for anything!
But I was wondering if you had checked it out with an attorney to get a professional opinion. Some
lawyers start smelling money and they may go for any angle, no matter how bizarre. Are you aware
of any cases where pilots have had legal problems result. Being "not for hire" lowers one's liability,
I know. But nowadays.....?????
Also, I can't call up a form on Angel Flight Northeast. Is it basically the same?

Besides the release, you may be exempt from liability under your state
"good samaritan" law, if there is one. I've come to accept the notion
that you can't actually be free of liability in most situations because
for example, even if the passenger waives his rights to sue, his heirs
etc. have not, and they could come after you. That said, I just don't
worry about it. It would be just too sad to not help someone out due to
fear of being sued.

2) Class 3 medical issues: I assume that as long as you can pass your class 3, are properly BFRed,
current, and meet the 300hr, IFR, 25 IMC? requirements that you're in there. I'm asking 'cause I
lost half my right lung (big hole, long story) in '86 and had to jump through the hoops to get my
medical back. Official determination was that while I was at higher risk for a spontaneous
pneumothorax (collapsed lung), that I would still be able to safely land an aircraft despite the
associated breathing difficulties. I'm hoping that this wouldn't rule me out.

I would think that if you are legal to fly, and you know you are safe,
you should be good to go.

3) Contageous Disease - Quite simply, do you fly people that you could catch a major disease
from?

This hasn't been a factor yet for me. So far the pax I've carried have
all been treated for non-contageous illness. I do get a flu shot
every year though.

4) What special care do you have to provide for the passengers? I read the physicians release
Ambulatory, no bathrooms, can't lie down, etc. But could you tell me a little bit about your
experiences with various individuals. Panic attacks, in flight emergencies, Interior needs a cleaning
('nuff said), overall passenger attitude (appreciative to bitchy?), etc.

I bring some cold bottled water, paper towels, barf bags, and sometimes
a step stool to help them get in and out. Most had flown GA before,
and so far no one has gotten "airsick" with me. I make every effort
to fly as "smooth" as possible, and if a climb or descent through
rough air was needed, letting them know ahead of time that the rough
part will be "just a few minutes" seemed to help. Unless they are
particularly interested in aviation, they usually just take a nap.
All have been appreciative. Carried cancer patients, a MS patient and
his "service dog", and even did an on-call mission for a transplant
patient. All have been great trips, some vmc, some imc,
and some in "interesting" weather.


5) Commitment: Hours for the avg. mission, times of day (night), advance notice, lay overs, etc.

My flights are usually daytime trips of 200-300nm. A couple have been
longer. One person was to return the next day, so I just spent the
night and brought them back too.

6) Aircraft: If you can do it in a 172, I guess just about anything that you can squeeze 4 people
in will work?

My trips have mostly been in 172s, with a couple using a 182. Actually,
a 172 can carry a pretty respectable load!

7) Any other negatives that I might have missed.

I don't think there actually are any negatives 8-)

8) Oh, 1 more. How do you figure expenses. Fuel, oil, obviously. But do you include allocations
for overhauls, repairs, annual, etc.
Or do you rent?

I'm a renter, so that part has been easy.

I know I'm asking for a lot of info. here (small novel?) but I am seriously interested in this and want
to be sure that I am going into it with my eyes wide open. I'll bet others here might be interested,
also.

Thanks

Glad to put my 2 cents in. Angel Flight is a great program, and one
gets a great feeling doing a mission.

Disclaimer: Yea, I'm for real.........No. I'm not a troll.........I use a remailer for spam elimination
...........Any and all replies related to the subject will be appreciated......WARNING: Author may
become arrogant and obnoxious......Reply at your own risk!
(There, I hope that covers It)






Tom Pappano, PP-ASEL-IA