Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Jeff Moorhouse May 19, 2023 About ten years ago, as he set off for yet another work conference in Northern California, Jeff Moorhouse decided to sidestep commercial air travel and instead fly with a fellow financial advisor — a retired naval aviator who had his own Cessna 182. For Jeff, that experience proved to be life-changing. “I was hooked,” he said. “A few weeks later, I was taking my first flight lesson.” Now, Jeff isn’t just flying himself… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Introducing AFW’s New Director of Outreach May 1, 2023 We’re thrilled to share that Russell Stearns has joined Angel Flight West (AFW) as our Director of Outreach! Russell holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University. As Director of Outreach with AFW, Russell oversees strategic planning and initiatives related to volunteer recruitment and healthcare collaborations. Russell is excited to be part of the organizatio… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From Cheri’s Desk: Spotlight on an Angel May 1, 2023 Tiffany S. was born in 1993 and a mere six days later she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Tiffany’s condition was manageable for many years, but when she was 17, she was listed for a double-lung transplant. Tiffany received that surgery the same year and before she was 18, she had two new lungs – and a new lease on life. However, five years later, Tiffany’s body began to reject the orga… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
The Sky’s the Limit for Elias: Flights to Post-Transplant Care April 25, 2023 Each Angel Flight West passenger holds a special place in our hearts – and that includes the committed companions who accompany patients on their journey. A third of our missions are for minors traveling long distances to treatment, and it’s an honor to help lighten the load for the parents and caregivers flying by their side. As a single parent and foster mom in Spokane Valley, WA, Heidi began fostering… Jessica Hayes Read More »
April 2023 Safety Report April 12, 2023 Pleasant greetings to all. I feel immensely privileged to be able to address you all and it is a position that I will never take lightly. The process of Threat and Error Management is one of my favorite subjects in Aviation Safety. It is applicable to absolutely every kind of flying and it is indeed filled with jargon and terminology, that while necessary, it may overwhelm the reader and take away from its goal: ens… Safety Officers Read More »
Meet AFW’s New Safety Officers April 12, 2023 Meet Alexios: My name is Alexi Stavropoulos and I am deeply honored to be serving as AFW’s Safety Officer along with Bruce Poulton. I am grateful to own a Cirrus SR22T. Without a doubt, my favorite flying activity in my Cirrus is to fly for AFW when my work schedule and weather permits. Both have been a challenge as of late. Otherwise, I love staying in the pattern, humbling myself! And of course, flying with my family.… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Volunteers Give Patients an Extra Bit of Light and Hope March 28, 2023 Four months ago, amid raising five children between the ages of nine and sixteen, Margo received the shocking diagnosis of breast cancer. “From one moment to the next, anything can turn on a dime,” she says. “You think of nothing but getting better and getting to and from appointments.” But getting to care would prove to take more time and travel than expected. Margo’s best option for treatment was hundreds of m… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Meet the Honorees: Volunteer Pilots to be Recognized at Endeavor Awards March 24, 2023 Stephen and Joanna Bobko-Hillenaar of Angel Flight West (AFW) have been selected to be honored at the 2023 Endeavor Awards. Selected by the public and event committee, recipients of the award are recognized for their personal contribution and commitment to charitable flying by volunteering their time, resources, and aircraft to help others. Stephen and Joanna Bobko-Hillenaar of Angel Flight West “We… Jessica Hayes Read More »
When Medical Care is States Away March 14, 2023 Jen had just made the big decision to accept a new position in Southern Oregon when another life-altering event crossed her path. “I found out I had Stage 1 ovarian cancer,” says Jen. “It was a huge shock. It doesn’t run in my family. And not to mention, I was in the middle of moving from Colorado to Oregon for my new job, so everything was already expensive.” As with most career transitions, Jen had a lapse in her employer-o… Jessica Hayes Read More »
From Flights to Friendships: Meet Teylor February 22, 2023 Teylor was 18 years old and opening a food truck at a local fair in Bedford, WY with two other teens when the unimaginable happened. As soon as the grill was lit, the propane exploded, filling the inside of the trailer with flames. Teylor was life-flighted to University of Utah, suffering second- and third-degree burns to 49% of her body. Her parents Shawn and Stephanie quickly drove the four hours to Salt Lake City to… Jessica Hayes Read More »
In the Hangar: Meet Our New Board Members! February 14, 2023 Angel Flight West is proud to welcome two new board members to our team: Daniel Cheung and Emily Deaton. Both Daniel and Emily join AFW’s Board of Directors with a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion for charitable aviation. We’re thrilled to have them serve as we continue to deliver health and hope throughout the Western states. Daniel Cheung is a CPA and he co-founded Aviation Tax Consultants… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wyoming Community Foundation & Angel Flight West: Bringing Health and Hope to Patients Across the State January 30, 2023 Laramie, WY – The Wyoming Community Foundation has partnered with Angel Flight West to reach more Wyoming residents who need transportation in order to access health care and other essential services far from home. “Through our network of volunteer pilots and airline partners, Angel Flight West (AFW) arranges free flights for patients in Wyoming and 11 other Western states,” explains AFW Executive Director Jos… Jessica Hayes Read More »
The Difference a Year Makes for Young Burn Survivors December 28, 2022 Angel Flight West Volunteer Pilot Peter Danzig flew Danielle and her son to the faraway destination, with Petertaking some extra time to show CJ parts of his plane when they landed. “It was so good for CJ to experience this,” comments Danielle. “Every time he sees a plane, he says he’s going to learn how to fly one day.” Jessica Hayes Read More »
Volunteers Takeoff on Third Annual Flights of Joy December 15, 2022 Angel Flight West’s volunteer pilots are transforming their planes into sleighs, bringing holiday joy to families struggling with medical or personal challenges and the financial burdens related to their healing and recovery. Flights of Joy, AFW’s Adopt a Family program, started in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Knowing that many families battling illnesses were also experiencing financial hardships, An… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Wingspan: Winter 2022 December 6, 2022 Welcome new Montana and Hawaii wing leaders! Mark Haakenson – Montana Wing Leader Mark Haakenson on an angel flight with his sweet co-pilot, Evelyn Mark Haakenson joined Angel Flight West as a Command Pilot in August of 2016. He is an 8,200+ hour ATP pilot with his CFII/MEI as well as an A&P with Inspection Authorization (I.A.). He works out of Great Falls (GTF) flying a Citation V (560) for a couple of brothe… Ivan Martinez Read More »
