We will periodically publish our bulletin, Flight Following, on our website and also send it directly via email in order to make sending and receiving it as convenient as possible for everyone.
This journal is intended for volunteer pilots, group leaders, other volunteers, professional staff, and all those interested in the incredible world of public benefit flying! Feel free to pass it along to others. We hope it provides useful information making it easier for those who use aviation in public service do a better and more enjoyable job of flying to help others!
We will also post news and event information from the world of charitable aviation on our blog.
SFAR Grants Relief for Expired Medical Certificates and Recency Requirements
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FAA has issued a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) the extends the duration of medical certificates to all pilots. It also provides relief from recent flight experience requirements, but only to certain pilots and operations. The FAA emphasizes that apart from the limited relief provided by the SFAR, […]
Nominations for Public Benefit Flying Awards are Open!
Do you know someone doing great things for Public Benefit Flying? Whether a volunteer pilot, a non-flying volunteer, or an individual or organization providing extraordinary support, you can help give them the recognition they deserve. Nominate someone deserving today! About the Awards The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Air Care Alliance (ACA) created the […]
COVID-19 Considerations for Volunteer Pilot Operations
As volunteer pilot organizations around the country grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, the safety and well-being of passengers and pilots has remained top focus in a rapidly changing landscape. Many Volunteer Pilot Organizations have temporarily suspended passenger-carrying operations and others are considering that decision on a day-to-day basis in light of current government restrictions, new […]
Fuel Reimbursement for Volunteer Pilots
Do you receive fuel reimbursement for your volunteer flights? Do you want to? Would you accept more flights if you could? Under current FAA regulations, a pilot cannot accept any compensation for these flights other than in the form of logging time or taking a tax deduction. This is true unless the organization arranging your […]
Member Spotlight – Winter 2020
The Air Care Alliance is proud to support the many public benefit flying organizations that impact our communities and individuals in need. Check out some recent news, stories, and noteworthy achievements of a few member groups below. Exemplary training exercise demonstrated by DART – Disaster Airlift Response Teams Soaring with the […]
Changes to FAA Call Sign Requirements Affect CMF
FAA and ICAO changes to call sign requirements meant a revamp of the way volunteer pilots use the COMPASSION call sign. The original filing process using a portion of the aircraft’s tail number is no longer valid and ACA has begun assigning discrete COMPASSION call signs to verified pilots of authorized organizations. “ACA has worked […]
2020 Awards
Two Aviation Volunteers Honored for Public Benefit Flying The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), in partnership with the Air Care Alliance (ACA), a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Public Benefit Flying Awards. These awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and organizations engaged in […]
CMF History
Original 1999 Letter to Public Benefit Flying Groups and Pilots May 29, 1999 TO: Public Benefit Flying Organizations and Pilots RE: Call Sign COMPASSION and three-letter designator CMF Dear Friends, On the first of this month at the Air Care Alliance 1999 national conference in Kansas City I announced that at our request the FAA […]
Air Care 2020
**DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS, AIR CARE 2020 HAS BEEN CANCELED** Air Care 2020 hosted by Angel Flight West in Van Nuys, CA When? Friday Afternoon and All Day Saturday April 17-18, 2020 Where? Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center – Van Nuys, California A blend of aviation history and L.A. hospitality, Airtel Plaza Hotel […]
2019 Awards
Aviation Volunteers Honored for Public Benefit Flying The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), in partnership with the Air Care Alliance (ACA), a nationwide league of humanitarian flying organizations, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Public Benefit Flying Awards. These awards were created to honor volunteer pilots, other volunteers, and organizations engaged in flying […]