Who needs help?

Operating for over 20 years, LifeLine Pilots has been the transportation bridge for thousands of families in need.  Whether our passengers are seeking the best medical treatment or have a compassionate need, the necessity for transportation is the common factor.

LifeLine Pilots is committed to facilitating transportation for these individuals.  Our passengers experience extraordinary situations such as:

· An ambulatory and medically stable patient going to a medical center for diagnosis and/or treatment

· A non-emergency organ transplant patient needing transportation for diagnosis and follow-up appointments

· Necessary support caregivers needing to be with individuals undergoing long term medical treatment

· Children with special needs attending specialized camps

· Being a part of a community service agency with no other practical or affordable means of travel

· Having a final wish to see family

Mission Coordinators will need to know a variety of information regarding the passenger such as medical condition, age, weight, destination and date transportation is needed.  They will fax, email, or mail all needed paperwork to the contact or passenger.  Upon completion of the mission paperwork, a mission can be arranged within a few business days.

General Criteria:

Origin of Requests:  We accept flight inquiries from many sources such as potential flight recipients, social workers, clergy and family friends.

Mobility:  Potential flight recipients and support passengers must be able to enter a small aircraft with little or no assistance and be belted in an upright position for the duration of the flight.  Exceptions may be made for children or adults light enough for an accompanying support person to lift the person in and out of the aircraft. Stretchers are not allowed.

Age:  Age has nothing to do with it!  We fly people of all ages, babies, kids, teens, adults and seniors...as long as they are willing to fly in a small, 4-6 seat aircraft.

Weight:  Total weight is a criteria since each aircraft has a total limit in order to fly safely.  This is based on the total weight of Pilot(s), passenger(s), baggage, equipment, and fuel.

Advance Notice: We generally require three (3) business days between the return of completed paperwork and flight departure.  This is waived for return flights. While we attempt to fulfill short notice requests, please realize that this greatly increases the difficulty in obtaining an appropriately located volunteer pilot.

Medical Criteria:

Fulfillment of all of the above General Criteria;

Medical Status:  The potential flight recipient and support passengers must be medically stable and not require medical assistance or life support.  Stretchers are not allowed.

Medical Release:  LifeLine Pilots will fax a Physician's Release Form to a physician who must complete, sign, and fax this back to our office prior to flight approval.  This is to verify need, medical stability and serve as a release to fly in unpressurized aircraft.  All medical information is respectfully treated as confidential.

Financial Need:  LifeLine Pilots will fax a Financial Verification Form to a member of the clergy, medical discharge planner, physician, social service worker (someone other than a family member, friend or neighbor) who must complete, sign, and fax this back to our office prior to flight approval.  Since our pilots donate their time and flying expenses, it is important that we verify the financial need.

Organ Transplant Assistance Flights:  Patients scheduled for a non-emergency organ transplant can make arrangements for flight assistance.  Organ transplant patients may also schedule flights for diagnostic and follow-up appointments.

People with Mental Illness or Multiple Personality Disorder:  Flight approval is dependant on results of an interview and receipt of written/signed confirmation of the discussion between a LifeLine Pilots Flight Coordinator and a medical professional representing the potential flight recipient.

Humanitarian Criteria:

Flights of this nature shall include, but are not limited to, transporting children with life-threatening illnesses to special camps, fulfilling patient's last wishes to visit home or family and transporting immediate family members to provide support for someone in a distant hospital for recovery.  Domestic abuse or rehabilitation situations will be arranged by an agency and undergone an interview process similar to mental health situations.  Special Wish flights may also be requested through an agency.

Fulfillment of all General Criteria;

Medical Status: All passengers must be medically stable and not require medical assistance or life support.

Medical Release: When applicable, LifeLine Pilots will fax a Physician's Release Form to a doctor who must complete, sign, and fax this back to our office prior to flight approval. This is to verify health care need, medical stability, and serve as a release to fly in an unpressurized aircraft. All medical information is respectfully treated as confidential.

Financial Need: When applicable, LifeLine Pilots will fax a Financial Verification Form to a member of the clergy, medical discharge planner, physician, social service worker (someone other than a family member) who must complete, sign, and fax this back to our office prior to flight approval. Since our pilots donate their time and all flying expenses, it is important that we verify the financial need which is treated as confidential information. This form may be waived in certain humanitarian situations.

People in Domestic Abuse Situations: Approval is dependent on results of an interview and receipt of written/signed confirmation of the discussion between a LifeLine Pilots Mission Coordinator and medical professional or counselor representing the potential flight recipient.

 

Emergency Criteria:

Disaster or emergency situations requiring Lifeguard call signs will be accepted to fly tissues, physicians or support personnel, supplies, etc.