Fuel Discount Program Supports Pilots Transporting Those In Need

Responding to the high price of aviation fuel, Angel Flight West -- the country's largest volunteer pilot organization arranging and providing, through its volunteer pilot members, free air transportation for non-emergency health care issues, is implementing a fuel discount program to help pilots on AFW missions pay for fuel.

The fuel discount program is currently available in the Albuquerque, NM and Phoenix, AZ areas and will be available in other cities across the organization's 13 western states as funds are raised and arrangements with fuel suppliers put in place. By mitigating fuel costs, AFW seeks to increase the number of missions flown by its volunteer pilots.

"Our volunteer pilots donate everything -- their planes, time, and funds to help those in need of air transportation to health care facilities," said Alan M. Dias, Executive Director of AFW. "However, the increased costs of flying, along with the downturn in the economy, have impacted the number of pilots who can afford to fly missions. Developing this fuel discount program will continue our efforts to provide essential human services."

The fuel discount program uses grant funds to prepay the main fuel supplier for each gallon of fuel sold for AFW missions. The fuel supplier will match a specified dollar amount and possibly add an additional reduction in the price of each gallon of fuel. "Where it is in place the fuel discount program has already made a difference in AFW's ability to fulfill mission requests," Dias said. "Our goal is to continue the success and expansion of the discount program."

FMI: www.angelflightwest.org