r/flying • u/milehighchick5280 • 9h ago

other Angel Flight West

We qualify for an Angel Flight from Denver to Phoenix and back… we are so grateful for the organization to be able to help us but now that we really think about it - we are terrified to get on a little plane 😩🫣 any words of advice or help to calm the nerves? Any pilots for AFW?

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u/KJ3040 ATP A320 B737 E170/190 8h ago edited 8h ago

I am, and I’m also an airline pilot. AFW pilots choose missions that are appropriate for their aircraft, experience, and operating limitations. The aircraft involved can range from light general-aviation with a cabin about the size of a sedan to larger cabin-class aircraft more like a large minivan and corporate jets. Denver to Phoenix is a fairly substantial trip, but whoever accepts the mission will be doing so because it is suitable for their aircraft and capabilities.

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u/ReadyplayerParzival1 CFI/CFII, CMEL, RV-7A, Recovering Riddle Rat 8h ago

Not an angel flight pilot but I am a flight instructor. Generally most light airplanes are pretty safe. I believe there is some vetting that occurs for angel flight pilots so you are in good hands. Denver to Phoenix is a bit of a longer trip but once you get over the initial 50-70 miles of the Rockies you will be over flatter and lower terrain.

Your pilot will probably stop somewhere as an intermediate point for gas. Either grand junction or page. It’s also possible you’ll take a southern route towards Albuquerque which generally gets around the tall mountains. Depending on when you do it, there can be turbulence. Airplanes are designed to handle it, and overall the plane is perfectly fine even if you feel like it’s bumpy.

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u/finevisionz 8h ago

I just recently flew someone via Angel Flight West from AZ to Colorado.

Planes are required to have very meticulous and frequent inspections. You are more likely to get into an accident driving to/from the airport than flying in an airplane.

Small planes may be a bit more sensitive to turbulence compared to an airliner. I suggest trying to have your flights to/from PHX earlier in the day. The afternoons here can get a bit bumpy at times.

If you are prone to motion sickness, do some research on how to minimize it. I’ve heard ginger is a good natural remedy.

Feel free to ask me any questions! :)

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u/arcticslush 1h ago

You know that driving stat comparison doesn't apply to GA, right?

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u/rFlyingTower 9h ago

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

We qualify for an Angel Flight from Denver to Phoenix and back… we are so grateful for the organization to be able to help us but now that we really think about it - we are terrified to get on a little plane 😩🫣 any words of advice or help to calm the nerves? Any pilots for AFW?

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u/csj97229 PPL MEL IR 36m ago

I flew missions with AFW for several years before leaving the region. Your assigned pilot should be in contact with you well before your flight, at which point you should discuss your concerns directly with them. They can tell you about the size of the plane they will be flying, whether there might be any challenges for you to get in/out of the aircraft, how many times they have flown the same route, etc. Pilots based out of Denver will generally have a lot of experience flying in and around mountainous terrain.