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From: Rob Kirkpatrick [rob@kirkpatrick.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 6:17 PM

Subject: Amendment to Volunteer Pilot Protection Act - NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT 

-----Original Message-----
From: Christel Gollnick [mailto:Christel@AngelFlightCentral.org]
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 5:02 PM
Subject: Volunteer Pilot Protection Act - NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT 

Dear Volunteers :
 
By now you have heard about the legislation that is pending in the U.S. Congress designed to amend the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.  This amendment is needed because certain provisions of the 1997 act specifically kept out liability protection for the various entities involved in public benefit flying.  Members of Angel Flight America have been working with contacts in Washington to write this bill over the last couple of years.  We're approaching the final and most important phase and are hoping you can help! 
 
In summary, the legislation both in the Senate and in the House (identical bills) will accomplish the following for those involved in public benefit flying:
 
1.  Volunteer Pilot Organizations (VPOs) as a non-profit charity will be exempted from liability should there be an accident involving one of "their" volunteer pilots.
 
2.  Officers, employees, and non-flying volunteers of said VPOs will be exempted from liability should there be an accident involving one of "their" volunteer pilots.
 
3.  Agencies (i.e. organizations or individuals such as doctors, hospitals, Shriners, Red Cross, etc.) who refer patients or passengers to VPOs will be exempted from liability should there be an accident involving the person(s) they referred to the VPO.
 
4.  Volunteer pilots themselves will be exempted from any liability over and above the amount of liability insurance coverage that they carry.  (As today, all volunteer pilots must carry liability insurance.)
 
References to the actual legislation are below. 
 
You can see the 1997 Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 by referring to:  http://www.explorium.org/PL_105-19.htm
 
The actual bill in the House is HR 1084.  It can be read at:

http://www.theorator.com/bills108hr1084.html
 
 
The actual bill in the Senate is S. 955.  It can be read at:

http://www.theorator.com/bills108/s955.html

Each organization within Angel Flight America has been asked to contact all of its volunteer pilots, board members, earth angels, and other non-pilot volunteers and ask them to help at this critical time by doing the following:
 
1.  Prepare a letter to be faxed and then mailed to your Congressperson 

2.  Prepare a letter to be faxed and then mailed to your two Senators.  The letters MUST BE FAXED first - then mailed.
 
Will you help us further protect you? By way of good news, we have been told by a congressional staffer that the AOPA, the CAP and the EAA are in the process of registering support for this legislation.  Similarly, we will be working with the Shriner organization at the national level, with the Red Cross, etc. - asking them to similarly support the legislation.  Additionally, the world of rare disease organizations is starting to support this proposed legislation.
 
When it comes right down to it, we have together served patients and other clients in every state and in every congressional district.  Every member of Congress should vote yes on this legislation.
 
 Thanks.

HELP AND HOPE ARRIVES ON WINGS

When the World Trade Center was attacked, they took to the air to bring help to the injured. When a dying little boy in Kansas City wanted to see mountains, they lifted him to the highest peaks. When a needy family member had to care for her ailing mother, they carried her to a joyous reunion. When a man, suffering with cancer, needed to travel far for his treatment, they helped shorten the trip and helped him beat his disease.

Who are they? They are the volunteer pilots and ground support people of Angel Flight. All across America, volunteer pilots are donating their skill, private aircraft and their own funds to fly people in need for reasons of obtaining needed medical care, or other reasons of compassion or community service. They share their love of flying with the desire to reach out to those in need, and they never charge a cent for the flight!

They are supported by non-flying volunteers who organize missions, coordinate fund raising ideas and spread the word to those who may need the kind of help Angel Flight can bring. And bring help they do! Recently, another charitable organization called AirLifeLine, decided to join it's membership and organization into Angel Flight. Angel Flight is now responsible for almost 90 percent of the charitable flights made in the United States.

The missions Angel Flight flies are non-emergency flights and the patient/passenger must be ambulatory and be able to sit upright for seatbelts. Other items, such as oxygen and needed medications, must be provided by the passenger. There are other restrictions that are outlined when a mission request is made.

Angel Flight believes nobody should have to miss out on health care or being with family in time of need. No community should suffer needlessly in a disaster because volunteers and equipment are hours away. No sick or handicapped child should miss out on a dream of summer camp because it's just too far away. Angel Flight volunteers stand ready to offer help and hope, and it will arrive on wings.

If you, or someone you know, could use Angel Flight's help, or if you would like to learn how you can help others in need, please call 1-800-474-9464. Or visit our website at www.angelflightamerica.org