Pilot FAQs

Generally, these are the most Frequently Asked Questions by incoming pilots and co-pilots at Air Charity Network. If there are any other questions that occur to you, please let us know. You may be automatically directed to your region by calling (877) 621-7177.

1. I love to fly. How can I help?
2. What is Air Charity Network?
3. Who belongs to Air Charity Network?
4. Who does Air Charity Network Transport?
5. Where do the calls come from?
6. What kinds of aircraft are used by Air Charity Network?
7. How far will Air Charity Network fly?
8. What is my liability?

Q. I LOVE TO FLY. HOW CAN I HELP?

A. In order to keep up with the tremendous increase in flight requests, Air Charity Network must constantly increase our pilot member base. So, if you’re tired of punching holes in the sky, flying in circles, or going for the hundred dollar hamburger, let us show you how to put your aviation skills and talents to wonderful use. Join us. For a pilot or copilot membership application, contact your region here.

We use our network of volunteer pilots to provide free transportation via private aircraft to and from medical facilities. Our pilots donate their time, aircraft and fuel to help those whose medical problems have left them without the funds to reach places where they can get needed diagnosis or treatment.

Air Charity Network is a non-profit organization. This allows for some of those flight expenses to become tax-deductible. (Consult your tax advisor for details.)

Q. WHAT IS AIR CHARITY NETWORK?

A. Air Charity Network is a tax exempt, nonprofit organization. The mission of Air Charity Network is to facilitate access to health care by arranging free air transportation in private aircraft. Air Charity Network links volunteer private pilots with needy people whose health care problems require long distance travel to and from medical facilities. Air Charity Network is an opportunity to combine your love of flying with volunteer community service.

Q. WHO BELONGS TO AIR CHARITY NETWORK?

A. The members of Air Charity Network are private pilots (aircraft owners and renters) and Earth Angels (ground support volunteers). An instrument rating is not necessary to fly on most Air Charity Network flights, although we encourage all members to obtain the rating so they will be available for flights under a wider range of conditions. Pilots who have less than 250 PIC are encouraged to fly as copilots. Copilots must have a current medical and pilot license in order to register.

Interested non-pilot supporting members, including spouses, and significant others are also welcome. Non-pilot members are eligible to fly right seat on flights in order to assist the patient and with flight coordination. There is also a substantial amount of on-the-ground work for which everyone’s help is valuable and appreciated.

Q. WHO DOES AIR CHARITY NETWORK  TRANSPORT?

A. Air Charity Network offers transportation to people whose medical problems make it necessary for them to travel for diagnosis or treatment and who lack the financial resources for that transportation. Air Charity Network will also carry, without regard to financial need, people whose condition or location makes it difficult or impossible for them to use other means of transportation.

Typical examples include carrying cancer patients for chemotherapy, surgery or other treatment at a distant medical facility; transporting people with kidney problems to obtain dialysis or kidney transplants and patients with heart problems for specialized diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up; and carrying children to and from “special needs camps” such as camps for burn survivors and children with life-threatening illnesses. Air Charity Network also responds to many other compelling human needs.

Q. WHERE DO THE CALLS COME FROM?

A. Most requests for Air Charity Network flights come from the social workers or discharge planners at hospitals and health care agencies. Calls also come from charitable organizations and societies such as the American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.

These are agencies that generally work with people who are financially needy (or have become so due to the cost of treating their illness). By using the expertise of these agencies and their personnel, we determine that a person meets our medical and/or financial-need criteria and thus justifies the pilot’s donation of time and flying expenses.

Q. WHAT KINDS OF AIRCRAFT ARE USED BY AIR CHARITY NETWORK?

A. Most Air Charity Network aircraft are single or twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft. In some cases, jet aircraft are also welcome because they are ideal for the longer distance flights.

Since you don’t need either a large or a fast airplane to be of assistance to most people who seek Air Charity Network’s help, the majority of our flights are flown in single-engine, four-seat aircraft.

Q. HOW FAR WILL AIR CHARITY NETWORK FLY?

A. Our flights are within a 1000 nautical mile total distance from the patient’s home base airport. Longer flights, which are more than 300 nautical miles, will require a hand-off with at least one to two other pilots depending on the total distance traveled. We do not fly outside the borders of the United States.

Q. WHAT IS MY LIABILITY?

A. Flights you make for Air Charity Network have the same status as any flight made with passengers by a private pilot under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. You have no greater liability when flying a passenger for an Air Charity Network flight than when flying a friend or neighbor. All passengers are required to sign a waiver of liability before boarding the aircraft. Air Charity Network will provide this waiver of liability.

Pilots are required to have liability insurance but do not have to name Air Charity Network as an additional insured.