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.