by Robert Waunch
Hello Orcas Community! It’s been a busy year for Orcas Aviation Association and Mercy Flights. Thus far in 2024, we have flown over 510 flights and with continued ferry challenges, we expect that number to grow. This letter is to clarify Mercy Flights mission, update you on recent leadership changes, and answer questions about the kinds of flights our volunteer pilots provide.
Orcas Island is fortunate to be served by three evacuation flight services for serious life-threatening medical issues. However, family members are usually not able to travel in those aircraft. Mercy Flights jumps in to provide family members with the ability to get to their loved ones in a timely manner. Mercy Flights also helps community members who have time critical appointments such as chemo, radiation or MRI’s. If the ferries are not operating on schedule — or at all — Mercy Flights is ready to ensure Orcas residents get to their ‘critical’ spe-cialist appointments. Patients are not charged for Mercy Flights.
OAA has also taken on the task of transporting a Dental Team from and back to Bellingham four (4) days a month for much needed dental care for those that are unable to afford dental insurance or can’t take a full day off work to go off island. This community service, in col-laboration with the Community Foundation, the Resource Center and the Hospital District has been a great success and provides a vital community need.
Recently, Allan Tone became the President of OAA. Allan jumped in and developed software to schedule the growing number of Mercy Flights and improve communication between pi-lots and patients. OAA needs more volunteer pilots and has instituted a scholarship pro-gram to support local adults who want to get their pilots’ license. Indy Zoeller and Kellen Comrie are two scholarship recipients who are now flying Mercy Flights. If you are interest-ed in getting your pilots license and supporting OAA and your community, stay tuned for the next round of scholarship applications.
If you a need a Mercy Flight, you can call or text your request to 360-472-2914. A scheduler will connect with you to discuss your flight needs.
OAA is an all-volunteer 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and the pilots volunteer their time and aircraft to provide these community services. The pilots donate the costs of the flights and are reimbursed for part of the fuel based on FAA regulations allowing ‘some’ of the cost of the flight to be shared. OAA is entirely dependent on donations. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be made directly online at https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2658 or mail to OAA, POB 712, Eastsound.
