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6/19/2010 - Angel Flight Lands in Alabama Video

TUSCALOOSA AL - Achieving lofty goals, such as the desire to fly, seldom comes easy; sharing that passion leads many pilots to do great deeds. Among these is flying medical patients for Angel Flight. Dozens of Alabama pilots volunteer their aviator skills, aircraft and time to fly those in need of medical treatment to distant locations free. Until recently these flights were coordinated by Birmingham based GivingFlite as well as sister organization, Angel Flight. This year GivingFlite merged with Georgia based Angel Flight therefore furthering possibilities for Alabama pilots to volunteer their skill.

Last week, the new Alabama Angel Flight branch office celebrated a ribbon cutting and Grand Opening at the Tuscaloosa Airport. Members of the Angel Flight Board of Directors, office staff and volunteers gathered to meet and greet elected officials of Tuscaloosa and Northport over lunch.

Bert Light, Chairman of the Angel Flight Board, explained how the 27 year history of this nonprofit organization goes far beyond flying patients for treatment including Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  According to Light, after 9/11, Angel Flight became a lifeline transporting volunteer fire fighters, nurses and relief workers to Ground Zero and the Pentagon. These pilots also flew as first responders during hurricane relief efforts across the Gulf States, Haiti Earthquake supplies and worked closely with the Red Cross. Coordinating with Air Care Alliance, Angel Flight missions soared to 3,000 last year. Light says this number represents only a fraction of the need because so many do not know about their service.

Directing the new branch office is University of Alabama business major, Art Ramey. Spearheading the flying efforts at TCL is long time Angel Flight Pilot Sonny Deason. Ramey, also a pilot, moved to Tuscaloosa in 2009 when he transferred to the University of Alabama's Business School.  His major is Operations Management with specialization in Global Business and Supply Chain Management.  He was thrilled to know a new Angel Flight branch would be opening here. Ramey looks forward to spreading the message about the new Angel Flight office and gaining local community involvement.

Deason, a local resident, says, "Tuscaloosa's strategic location in the Southeast makes it an ideal hub for Angel Flight. Over the years I've connected to numerous flights in and out of Birmingham and Atlanta and other cities in the Southeast, and realized there are a lot of people nearby who could really use our help."  He is hoping this new office will bring in more pilots in the region who will find the branch location convenient for them and want to get involved.

Tera Wyatt, Director of TDOT and Wayne Cameron, Airport Manager was among those recognized during the luncheon for their efforts in support of the new branch office located in the terminal building. Cameron said he hoped the new group would bring more air traffic to the airport and offered his continued support.

Russ Buchanan, founder of GivingFlite received recognition for his efforts in building and guiding the non-profit and award winning all volunteer organization now merged with Angel Flight. A surprise announcement by Angel Flight executive Director, Jeanine Chambers Biron was a $10,000 donation from GivingFlite. Buchanan said it was the remainder of funds raised over the years and was happy that GivingFlite would live on through them. "I hope people that supported and donated to GivingFlite will continue to support Angel Flight. It is such an important mission that changes lives."  -B Meyer, See More Photos at the GALLERY- FMI: Angel Flight Alabama , Tuscaloosa Airport . Angel Flight Alabama is currently seeking volunteer pilots and support Earth Angels.

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