Aldinga Aero Club

Angel Flight Australia – est. April 2003:

Angel Flight Australia, founded in April 2003, is a charity that co-ordinates non-emergency flights for financially and medically needy people. All flights are free, and assist patients or compassionate carers travelling to or from medical facilities anywhere in Australia.

Whilst those living close to major hospitals and specialist medical help might find a short journey by road extremely uncomfortable and sometimes unbearable, patients living long distances from such help often have to endure hours of road travel where every bump and turn in the road adds to their discomfort.

With approximately 30% of Australians living in rural areas, there is a potential threat to the health and wellbeing of a significant number of people purely due to their geographical location.

Angel Flight pilots do not carry aeromedical staff or medical equipment so do not act as an alternative to the Flying Doctor (RFDS) or Air Ambulance in that capacity.

Angel Flight has more than 3000 registered volunteer pilots and 5000 volunteer drivers who are ready to assist patients of all ages needing scheduled treatment at destinations where other forms of transport are physically and emotionally taxing or unaffordable.

Angel Flight pilots donate their time, their skills and the bulk of their aircraft costs for each flight.

Angel Flight has conducted over 49,000 flights helping thousands of patients, carers and family members receive non-emergency medical and humanitarian help.

Angel Flight is an unusual charity in that it does not have a fundraising department and only spends about 15% of revenue on administrative overheads like rent, telephone and computer facilities. Eighty-five percent of revenue is spent on the actual co-ordination and delivery of its service.

The Angel Flight Australia Support Centre runs on a very small infrastructure, with six full time Mission Co-ordinators as paid staff.

Aldinga Aero Club members have carried out more than 700 flights on behalf of Angel Flight Australia and the club currently receives sponsorship from the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group to reimburse the fuel costs for club members when they carry out Angel Flight missions.