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Angel Flight Southeast is part of the Air Charity Network – a diverse coalition of volunteer humanitarian organizations that use business aircraft to transport medical patients for treatment at distant hospitals and support relief efforts after natural disasters. Each year, pilots flying on behalf of the Air Charity Network, the world’s largest integrated volunteer pilot organization flying medical missions, perform approximately 22,000 missions in Texas and across the southeastern U.S.

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in April, the governors of Kansas, Rhode Island and Utah and several mayors across the country officially recognized the industry for the important role it plays. Every state, in addition to hundreds of communities throughout the United States, have highlighted general aviation over the years for its contributions to the success of companies and citizens around the country.

Based in Holland, MI with chapters in Minnesota and East Michigan, Wings of Mercy is a non-profit, all-volunteer group providing free medical transportation utilizing general aviation and business aircraft for those with severe or rare illnesses. “A patient’s health insurance may cover their treatment, but it rarely covers transportation to get there,” said President Terry Boer. “We go where they need to be.”

The Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study was commissioned by the Texas Department of According to a recent report, community airports in Texas contribute more than $30 billion in payroll to employees in the state. The study – commissioned by the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division – examines the economic impact associated with the 264 general aviation airports in the state.

Patient AirLift Services and their volunteer pilots have flown nearly 20,000 passenger flights and served 4,000 patients in need of medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up far from home, for compassionate or humanitarian assistance, and for military personnel and their families.

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in March, the governors of North Dakota and Tennessee and several mayors across the country officially recognized the industry for the important role it plays. Every state, in addition to hundreds of communities throughout the United States, have highlighted general aviation over the years for its contributions to the success of companies and citizens around the country.

Scott deLuise, CEO of Adjusters International Matrix Business Consulting, says his Cessna pressurized Centurion is his company’s biggest advantage over its competitors. “It might be necessary to meet a company adjuster and a client a few times to handle one claim and we efficiently do that with this airplane,” said deLuise. “It’s just not cost effective or time efficient to get to these locations any other way.”

Brian Inskeep, president of InPwr Inc., knows that business aviation is key to the success of his company. “We’re known for our quality of work and commitment to safety. Thanks to business aviation, we are able to bring this high-quality service to our clients in more places, faster,” said Inskeep

Not only does business aviation provide jobs and economic benefits to Huntingburg, IN, it also helps OFS employees do more – and more efficiently. “Without the airport, our business would have a fraction of the activity we currently have, and the community of Huntingburg would not host business leaders from across the country,” said Hank Menke, president and CEO of OFS, a furniture company based in Huntingburg, IN.

Founded in 1996, SouthWings is a non-profit conservation organization that provides a network of volunteer pilots to advocate for the protection of the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Southeast United States through flight. “The airplane is an immensely useful tool to be able to show ground issues from the air,” said David Moore, aviation director at SouthWings. It’s a perspective changer, and so we hope that these flights create a ripple effect and that one flight can impact thousands of people.”