Donating Private Jets for Seriously Ill Children to Travel for Life-Saving Care

AeroAngel is a national aviation charity that provides free flights on private jets for children to obtain life-saving medical care at distant locations. 

It is an organization providing dedicated flights to Children’s Hospitals for seriously ill children who cannot fly safely on a commercial airline flight or drive, but do not require an air ambulance. All flights are conducted on business jets flown by volunteer professional pilots and crew, and there is no cost to the family.

AeroAngel is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that depends on donations for its internal operations and funding flights. 97% of all donations received go directly to the flights, which are limited to critically ill children. The business aircraft utilized are capable of flying long distances to care facilities nationwide in most weather conditions. AeroAngel currently partners with about 25 of the 250 children’s hospitals in the U.S.

Since donations are always needed to fund flights, AeroAngel has created a way that enables jet card users to donate flights, flight hours, or funds to AeroAngel to use for a child’s life-changing flight. Both charter operators and private travelers can donate. Card program members can also donate residual hours or soon-to-expire funds at the end of a contract period. Current operators participating in AeroAngel’s donation program are FlyExclusive, NetJets, and Nicholas Air.

Mark Pestal founded AeroAngel in Denver, Colorado in 2010 and currently serves in a volunteer capacity as its Executive Director. He is a former U.S. Attorney and commercial pilot who holds an ATP certificate and several single-pilot jet-type ratings including the Embraer Phenom 300. His passion for aviation and desire to serve those in need have led him to donate his time and energy in volunteer service on nonprofit boards, community service, and aviation safety. Pestal is keenly focused on expanding AeoAngel’s partnerships with Children’s Hospitals nationwide but his fondest role has been copiloting more than 100 AeroAngel flights.

FMI: www.aeroangel.org