Verify that the patient’s home or treating facility is located in Iowa or surrounding states. If you are seeking a flight outside our service region, please check our locator page to locate a Public Benefit Flying Organization in your area.
Review the Patient Guidelines above to verify qualification.
Please complete the ONLINE FLIGHT REQUEST
The Compassion Flights Board of Directors will review your request and follow up with you to complete any additional requirements. Thank you for your interest in Compassion Flights.
Before you request a Compassion Flights mission, please make sure that the person who will be flying is able to handle the following flight-related responsibilities, activities, and conditions:
After you have been approved for a flight and Compassion Flights has received the completed paperwork, we will start looking for a pilot to volunteer for your mission. Once a pilot has accepted the assignment, he or she will contact you directly, and all travel arrangements from that point will be made between the pilot and you.
Pilots make the final decisions about the execution of their missions. A pilot may delay or cancel a mission because of bad weather or other critical factors. We ask our passengers to either have a back-up plan or be able to re-schedule their appointments.
Your flight will be made in a small, private aircraft that probably has from four to six seats. These aircraft are not as fast or as large as a commercial airplane, so the flying time to your destination may be a bit longer than you anticipated. Although flight times are longer than commercial, it is almost always faster than driving.
A small plane is far more limited in the amount of weight it can carry than a large commercial jet. Because of this, you need to limit your luggage to a maximum of 40 lbs. Luggage must be soft-sided and no larger than what would be allowed on a commercial airplane as a carry-on. Oxygen, crutches, car seats, strollers, and other such items can be accommodated if you let us know before the day of departure. In addition, please be prepared to tell the pilot your weight (now is not the time to fib), as well as the weights of anyone else who is flying with you.
In order to board the aircraft, you may have to step up onto a wing that is 16 to 20 inches above the ground, crouch slightly to fit through a small door, then lower yourself into the back seat. If you or one of your traveling companions cannot perform these movements, that person will not be able to fly with us.
If you’ve never flown on a small aircraft before, you’ll discover that it’s a much different experience than flying on a large commercial jet. The engine noise on small planes can be loud enough to prevent you from having a normal conversation. Some pilots will provide you with headphones to wear during the flight, which will enable you to communicate with the pilot and other passengers, as well as serving to block out most of the noise. If you wish, you can also bring your own ear plugs. On some planes, you might hear different sounds from the engine as it changes speed. Be aware that, for safety reasons, some pilots request that you do not talk during take-off and landing. Your pilot will inform you of his or her specific requirements.
Small planes are more susceptible to air turbulence that large ones, so you might experience more “bumps” than you’re used to. These motions are perfectly normal and no cause for alarm. This turbulence is usually greater during mid-day and around weather. During the flight, please advise the pilot of any nausea at the first sign.
Some, but not all, Compassion Flights planes have heated cockpits, and most do not have air conditioning. Consequently, it can be chilly inside the plane because of the altitude, even if it isn’t cold on the ground. And on a hot, sunny summer day, the temperature onboard can be quite warm. To ensure that you’re comfortable during the flight, please ask your pilot about the best type of clothing to wear.
Restrooms and food service are not available on Compassion Flights. Food and drink is allowed, but please check with your pilot if you want to bring food or drink aboard, as the pilot has the final say.
If you are traveling with a baby or small child, we suggest that you give them a bottle, pacifier, or, for a slightly older child, gum to chew during take-off and landing. These items will help the child to equalize the changing air pressure and avoid ear pain.
Compassion Flights is usually able to provide ground transportation. You will need to confirm those arrangements prior to your departure. Although the final responsibility to get ground transportation is up to you, we will do everything possible to help.