You love to fly. Why not make a difference while you do it?
Whether you fly single, twin engine, or jet aircraft... whether you own or rent your airplane... you can help those in need.
Air Care Alliance groups serve many different needs and purposes nationwide. Here are some of the ways volunteer pilots can help:
Typically, flights are for a patient (and usually one accompanying caregiver) who is in need of specialized medical care far from home. They may live in rural areas with limited treatment options or far from commercial air hubs. Most passengers will have a financial need or medical need that qualifies them for the service.
Each group sets their own criteria for pilots and patient eligibility. Pilot requirements vary between organizations and regions, but you can typically expect a minimum requirement of 250 PIC hrs.
Pilots who volunteer for environmental organizations provide survey flights to collect scientific data of local eco-systems, assess environmental damage, and participate in scientific studies and wildlife counts. The information gathered on these flights is instrumental in educating policy makers, community leaders, and the media on all sorts of environmental issues. It also helps to foster a dialog and promote informed decision making among conservation partners.
Flights are often conducted at lower altitudes, making repeated low passes over a specific area.
As such, requirements for these organizations are typically higher than other organizations.
Additionally, all across the United States volunteer pilots assist with the rescue of animals that have narrowly escaped euthanasia at high-kill shelters by flying them to new homes or no-kill shelters where they have a much higher chance of adoption. Volunteer pilots are also needed in cases where injured wildlife need to be moved for treatment, or to assist our veterans with transport of service animals.
Because precious cargo flights generally do not involve transportation of people, pilot requirements are often lower than patient-carrying organizations and are a great way to get started with volunteer flying.
While some organizations solely focus on disaster relief, most volunteer pilot organizations will mobilize in times of need.
These flights are generally short, local flights on VFR days and are a great way to get started with volunteer flying.
We'll help you find opportunities to put your pilot skills to good use. Apply Now! You can complete one application and we'll submit it multiple to organizations based on how you would like to volunteer.