Angel Flight is the name used by a number of groups whose members provide free air transportation for passengers in need of medical treatment far from home and perform other missions of community service.
In most of Canada, the Volunteer Pilot Program of Hope Air provides a similar service, along with Angel Flight of Vancouver.
[1] Angel Flight missions are made possible by pilots who volunteer their time, their skills, and the funds required for aircraft operating expenses.
The referrer describes the points between which transportation is needed, the total number of people and weight, and the condition of the patient.
Even though the social worker is responsible for most of the paperwork, Angel Flight organizations encourage patients to contact them first in order to assess fitness.
[12] Angel Flight's CEO, Marjorie Pagani, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia, Queensland's opposition spokesman for volunteers, Lachlan Millar, and Kennedy MP, Bob Katter, have all condemned the proposal, which they say is a gross discrimination against rural people.
In a hearing in the Victorian District of the Federal Court on Friday and Monday, Justice Anastassiou heard arguments from both sides, eventually ruling in favour of CASA and awarding costs against Angel Flight.