Angel Flight America's and AirLifeLine's Board of Directors, both recently voted to proceed with merging AirLifeLine with and into Angel Flight America, Inc. A note they sent just after the deal was struck in mid-July told us, "We believe that this is truly the most exciting development in the history of public benefit flying!"

The integration of Angel Flight America and AirLifeLine promises to provide tremendous advantages and produce, by far, the largest volunteer pilot organization in the United States. The combination of the two teams will have the capability to coordinate more than 20,000 mission requests each year and will represent more than 5,000 volunteer pilots. "Together," the release notes, "we will truly be 'the voice' for charitable aviation, and most importantly, we will be better positioned to support you and serve more people in need.

"Thank you for the tremendous contribution you continue to make in the effort to help people in need through your gifts of flight. Obviously, without you, volunteer pilot organizations would not exist. We have listened to your past suggestions about uniting AirLifeLine and Angel Flight America and have been discussing ways our two organizations could come together for the greater good, rather than continuing to duplicate efforts. We are so excited that it will now soon come true! We continue to work on various details that will facilitate a smooth transition as we merge the operations of these two great organizations. We will be communicating with you regularly as these details become available."

Both organizations recognize that the key to sustainable future growth must continue on a regional and local, grassroots level while being supported by a unified effort nationwide. It is anticipated that many of AirLifeLine's national outreach programs will be maintained, but the daily operations and promotion of these efforts will be best administered through the regional structure of Angel Flight America. Accordingly, all AirLifeLine volunteer pilots, passengers, and supporters will be welcomed into Angel Flight.

Doug Breckenridge, Angel Flight America Chairman, said to his volunteers before the news of the merger was made public, "We all look forward to finally making this a reality -- the two largest forces in charitable aviation coming together to form the premier volunteer pilot organization in the Untied States -- Angel Flight America. And, we can take great pride in knowing that we were instrumental in helping form what will truly be the predominant force in public benefit flying, which is, of course, only possible because of your combined talents and generosity. Our goal has always been to reach-out and help more people in need. By combining our efforts into one united organization, we will make leaps and bounds that we could not have done on our own.

FMI: www.angelflightcentral.org