Hats off to Phillips 66® Aviation! As of June 1, a first-of-its kind rebate program will be available to support volunteer pilots who use their own aircraft to fly patients to specialized treatment.

With fuel costs rising (a quick check shows that Landmark Aviation, for example, in Norfolk, Virginia, charges $5.45 for full service), this is heartening news and sends a message to the public that Corporate America cares.

The giant fuel company chose Mercy Medical Airlift, which runs the Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic program, and Angel Flight Northeast to receive a special credit card for pilots to use at Phillips 66 Aviation-branded FBOs (fixed base operator; i.e., the business where fuel and other services are available for general aviation, usually located at or near an airport). The pilots will receive a $1-per-gallon rebate on av fuel.

Steve Craven, an Angel Flight pilot and chairman of the board, explains the positive impact of the discount. When flying a mission, he says he burns an average of 17 gallons per hour. At $5.45 per gallon, a 4 ½ hour flight would cost him about $417. “I think the compassion flight rebate is great,” he said. “If I can save $80, it’s a big deal.”

Rod Palmer is the manager of aviation for Phillips 66. He says that through this program, “Phillips 66 Aviation is saying to these volunteer pilots, ‘we recognize your value, we appreciate your efforts, and we support you.”

He went on to say, “If it encourages more pilots to volunteer or take more medical flights, then we’ll consider this program a success.”

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