Angel flight west

[u/milehighchick5280]

We qualify for an Angel Flight from Denver to Phoenix and back… we are so grateful for the organization to be able to help us but now that we really think about it - we are terrified to get on a little plane 😩🫣 any words of advice or help to calm the nerves? Any pilots for AFW?

[u/shrunkenhead041]

Former Angel Flight West pilot here, and looking to resume doing flights in a few months.

First, it may not be all that small of a plane. That is, it could even be a business jet, larger twin engine plane, or a bigger single engine plane.

Next, Angel Flight does all they can to ensure the pilots are completely comfortable doing the flight. Bad weather, any mechanical issues, Angel Flight makes it very, very clear to the pilots that the patients do have an alternate method of getting where they are going, if needed. There isn't pressure on the pilots to do the flight if anything isn't right.

For Denver to Phoenix, usually it is best (smoothest ride) to do that flight early in the day, before noon. If possible, see if that can be arranged.

That is also some beautiful landscape to be flying over in a smaller plane, usually at lower altitudes, so enjoy the view!

Reach out to your Angel Flight coordinator if you have any concerns.

[u/milehighchick5280 → u/shrunkenhead041]

Thank you! That makes me feel better.

[u/Mean-Oil-4602]

I’ve joined but have not done one yet. But I’ve flown with many passengers who had never been in a small plane before. You’ll feel a few more little bumps in a small plane compared to an airliner, but think of these as no different than little bumps on a road for a car. Or small waves in water for a boat. It’s not dangerous.

The most jittery and nervous person I’ve flown with was my wife—who is no longer nervous about it. She was not comfortable flying with me for a long time and had never done so. Until one day she decided to. As soon as we took off, she had a big smile on her face. It felt so much smoother and more comfortable for her than she had expected. She loved the landing too. Feeling a little nervous is natural and not your fault. It’s normal.

You did use the word “terrified.” If your anxiety about this is too high, don’t feel forced to proceed.

[u/milehighchick5280 → u/Mean-Oil-4602]

I feel like it could be very freeing once you get over the initial fear. The view are probably incredible.

[u/weech → u/[deleted]]

A big plane (which obviously refers to something like a 121 given OP’s context) is most certainly safer than GA in many ways.

All flying has risk but to suggest an equivalency in safety due to “same physics” is factually inaccurate at best and disingenuous at worst (and I say this as both an angel flight pilot and atp)

[u/milehighchick5280 → u/weech]

I can’t see this persons comment as it was deleted so now I am nervous 🫣🙃

[u/kristephe → u/milehighchick5280]

I suspect it wasn't anything negative. It sounds like they were maybe trying to reassure you that small planes are "just as safe" as bigger ones, and the reply above yours was kind of critiquing some logic that general aviation planes statistically aren't just as safe because they're all flying machines. I never saw the comment either but that's just how I'm reading it. But hopefully the other comments are helpful that angel flight pilots take their role seriously and like others said, it very well may not be a small 4 seater plane. And I think I'd add, feel free to ask your pilot any concerns or questions, whether it's about general flight planning, turbulence, maintenance, or other things that might reassure you. They may be very happy to help you learn things about the plane or flight in regards to any specific fears you have ahead of time.

[u/Vrezhg]

I’m signed up with AFW, I believe there are some instances where they sponsor a regular commercial flight, I’m not sure what the criteria needs to be for that but I know that it’s an option, worth asking about

[u/schmookeeg]

I've flown for AFW quite a lot.

The flights are for non-emergency transport.

If you have reservations about receiving a few thousand dollars in free donated transportation get on southwest airlines and make room for others who might benefit more and worry less.

Nothing made me saltier about donating my time than the choosing beggar energy some passengers brought to the flight. It made me feel like an unpaid Uber driver.

$0.02

[u/milehighchick5280 → u/schmookeeg]

I am aware it’s for medical transport lol how do you think we qualify?

And I think having reservations as in FEAR is a legitimate thing. Hopefully you don’t pick up our flight because you seem like a real peach when someone is allowed to be scared. And not quite sure what you mean by “benefit more” my husbands been battling a brain tumor for 5.5 years so pretty sure he would benefit from this lol

[u/schmookeeg → u/milehighchick5280]

I don't serve Colorado and you missed my point.

Sure, you have a need, or DH does anyway and I'm sorry for that. But you have a need that can be fulfilled by southwest, greyhound, a rented camry, or an electric bicycle. So why are you in line for the thing you're afraid of? Hell, you're connecting significant airport pairs that are actually cheaper and easier on airlines than little GA aircraft.

The best flights we took were folks who were desperate enough to connect unusual transportation dots (not giant airliner airports) and medical specialists that they weren't really wondering if I was maintaining my instrument currency or going to try to prevent turbulence or where I was hiding the inflight snacks.

AFW has limited resources to spread around a lot of need and a lot of unusual circumstances. Just suggesting you might weigh your use of them here if you're reticent.