The organisation has done five flights with Cobram passengers, but has completed 52,074 missions flying rural and regional people to city appointments.
In November 2021, it hit 20 million kilometres flown in its services
Health professionals who have good knowledge of the patient’s condition can make a “mission request” for an angel flight, who must also meet the organisation’s requirements.
They cannot fly anyone who needs medical attention or monitoring and all passengers must be able to get in and out of the aircraft without pilot assistance, but may be helped by a carer or other person before, during, or after the flight.
Suitably qualified volunteer pilots then transport the patient in their own aircraft, who often cover most of the costs for the trip.
Volunteer drivers on the ground can then help a patient get to their appointment or nearby accommodation, before returning to the aircraft for the trip home.
Many passengers have flown multiple times for ongoing treatment or appointments.
They have also repatriated children across closed borders and flown people to say goodbye to dying loved ones across closed borders.
They have also delivered food, medicine and essential supplies to flooded areas, as well as repatriating people from flood zones.
Angel Flight currently has 3602 registered pilots, 4878 drivers and 5002 registered referring health professionals.
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