Mercy Medical Angels: Volunteer Pilot Program/AFMA Patient FAQ

After I submit my request, how soon will a pilot be secured for my flight?

Once all personal and flight details have been finalized, we will submit your flight request to a secure mission’s website that is only accessible by our pilots. As soon as a pilot has signed up for your mission, we will accept their request and assign the mission.

When all legs of the mission have been assigned to a pilot, we will then send you, your requester (if you have one), and your pilot an e-mail with the itinerary — which includes your pilot’s information. Shortly after they have been assigned the mission, you should expect to hear from your pilot to discuss all flight-related details. Although you are also welcome to reach out to your pilot directly if you have any questions, it’s best to wait until they have contacted you first to give them time to coordinate details on their end.

We are unable to provide a definitive timeline as to when you will be notified that the mission is confirmed. Additionally, there may be times when we won’t be able to secure a pilot until the day before your flight. We understand this can cause some stress, but we do our best to find you a pilot as soon as we can. Our pilots are volunteers, we must consider they too have their own personal and professional schedules. 

How much advance notice do you need to arrange a flight?

We need a minimum of 7-10 days. In some urgent situations, we may be able to arrange a flight with less advance notice. Please contact the office to inquire if your needs are urgent.

Do I need to have a backup plan?

Having a back-up plan is very important due to potential cancellations beyond our control such as weather or mechanical issues. We do have commercial flight resources available for those that qualify, please inquire with the Transportation Coordinator if you are interested in using those resources as a backup. 

May I bring a companion on my flight?

Yes. However, as weight is extremely critical on a small aircraft, staff must approve any companions traveling with you before the day of the flight. We recommend you only bring one companion, as many of our pilots are not able to carry more than two passengers.

Please do not bring a companion without telling staff and your pilot in advance. Unexpected additional companions can result in the cancellation of your scheduled flight. 

How much luggage and what type of luggage can I bring on board?

You must limit your luggage to a maximum of 25lbs per person. Luggage must be soft-sided, and no larger than what would be allowed on a commercial aircraft as a carry-on. Total baggage weight should not exceed 50lbs between all passengers. 

Can I bring medically necessary additional equipment on board? 

Additional equipment, such as wheelchairs, car seat and other medical equipment can be accommodated. Please ensure to give the coordinator all the measurements and weight in advance to avoid any issues on day of flight. 

May I bring supplemental oxygen on board?

Yes, you may bring FAA approved supplemental oxygen on board. Please ensure to let the coordinator know of this at the time of your application being submitted. We will need to know the number of tanks you will be bringing, as well as their dimensions and total weight. You must bring your own oxygen, there will be no supplemental oxygen on board. 

What is a multiple leg mission?

If a mission is over 200 miles, we will generally split it into flight segments. Depending on the speed of their plane, most of our pilots fly only shorter distances. This means for a one-way flight you will have two or three pilots who split the distance at designated handoff points.

A flight with two segments is typically between 4-6 hours and three segments is typically between 6-8 hours. This does not include time spent changing planes on the ground.

Can I fly the same day of my appointment? 

This is dependent on the distance you are traveling and the time of your appointment. Once your application is received, we can provide more accurate information. 

Do you fly people anywhere in the United States and internationally?

No. Our Volunteer Pilot Program can arrange transportation originating within Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Delaware, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, DC, North Carolina and Tennessee. We cannot arrange flights outside of the U.S. 

If I do not qualify for Volunteer pilot program based on the area served, are there other forms of assistance available? 

If your destination falls outside our service area, we may be able to work with another Angel Flight organization to provide a pilot in the area and/or offer commercial flight assistance should you qualify. 

What is the maximum distance flown for the Volunteer Pilot program?

Due to the small size of the aircraft flown by our pilots, flights are limited to 900 miles in each direction. Longer flights are usually broken up into segments of about 200 miles each. 

Do you provide medical support on board the aircraft?

We require all our passengers to be medically stable, to be able to walk/ climb onto the wing of a plane, and to be able to sit up in a seat with a seatbelt fastened. There is no medical staff on board the flights. 

Do you provide flights for people who do not have a medical condition?

Yes. We can arrange “compassionate flights” for individuals who need to be a caregiver for a critically ill family member. We also arrange flights to relocate survivors of domestic violence, to transport children and adults to camps for a variety of special needs.  We accept these kinds of requests on a case-by-case basis and this is dependent on pilot availability. 

What kind of aircraft will I be flying in?

You will most likely be flying in a small, private aircraft that has 4-6 seats. 

What are the physical requirements needed for me to board a small aircraft? 

To board the aircraft, you may have to step up onto a wing that is 16-20 inches above the ground, crouch slightly to fit through a small door, and then lower yourself into the back seat. There are weight and waist size limitations that need to be considered. If you or one of your companions cannot perform these movements, you will be referred to our commercial program. 

Do you arrange transplant flights?

Due to the extremely urgent nature of transplant requests, we are unable to arrange flights for the actual transplant. However, we can provide flights for pre and post-transplant treatment or appointments.

Can I fly with you if I am pregnant?

For safety reasons, we do not fly women who are over five months pregnant or women with high-risk pregnancies on our Volunteer Pilot flights. Please refer to our commercial program for flight assistance. 

Is ground transportation available?

We provide a voucher for Uber that patients can use to secure round trip ground travel to their appointment and then back to the airport. Dependent on if the patient qualifies financially.

May I contact a pilot who flew me in the past to ask if he can fly me again?

Please do not contact any pilots who have flown you in the past. All flight requests should be submitted to our office, and staff will then contact pilots about new flight requests accordingly. 

May I bring food and beverages on board?

Please check with your pilot in advance if you want to bring food and beverages on board. 

How many times may I receive flight assistance with the Volunteer Pilot program?

It is all dependent on the availability of our pilots and there is no limit to how many flights you can take with our Volunteer Pilots.

How much does it cost to fly with you?

There is no cost. Our pilots donate their time, resources, and piloting skills to make critically needed travel possible without any cost to you.

Do you arrange flights for funerals?

No. We are unable to provide flights for funerals. 

What days of the week do you fly and do you fly on holidays?

Our pilots fly every day of the week, including holidays. If you need to travel on a holiday or holiday weekend, we encourage you to submit your request with as much notice as possible.

What do I do if I need to cancel or change my flight?

Please contact the Transportation Coordinator at 757-692-8452 during regular business hours – or (800) 683-2659 after hours – and send an e-mail to afmalogistics@mercymedical.org as soon as you know about the cancellation or change.