Tuesday, May 08, 2018

Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Florida: Angel Flight patients meet David, Lisa and service dog 'Lilly'

Although as a child Lisa always wanted to be a pilot, she admits, “it was more Dave’s passion, but I wanted to know what to do while we were flying so I starting taking lessons."




When Air Traffic Controllers communicate with AF3730 they automatically know this is a special flight due to the Angel Flight (AF) designation.

However, in addition to a patient on board, AF3730 is most often accompanied by aero service dog Lilly.


Angel Flight is a nonprofit volunteer pilot organization, which arranges free air transportation to distant medical facilities for patients in need when commercial service is unavailable, impractical or not affordable.


When husband and wife David Kraft and Lisa Drew, of Jupiter, began flying they knew once they had enough experience and hours they would like to be Angel Flight pilots.


David’s interest in flying began when Lisa bought him a trainer kite so he could learn to kitesurf.  “I had the sensation of flying and thought I should really learn to fly,” recalls David of the first time his trainer kite lifted him off the ground.



Lilly is very comforting to patients on Angel Flights, especially relieving stress for nervous fliers. She puts her head on patients' laps and has such a cool, calm vibe to her.


His passion for flying

David found his passion in flying and now is certified for commercial single and multi-engine, in addition to being a certified flight instructor. 

Although as a child Lisa always wanted to be a pilot, she admits, “it was more Dave’s passion, but I wanted to know what to do while we were flying so I starting taking lessons.  I never imagined myself going all the way through, but the more I got closer to doing a solo, I thought I can do this.  The more I learned, the more the fear went away and now I’m not afraid at all. 

"When you’re learning to fly you have to make the plane do all sorts of unhappy things. When I was first learning I wanted to just keep the plane happy and then my instructor would make it stall.  They pull your power and simulate an engine failure and you have to find a place to land and do all the pre-landing things and glide into it.  You practice over and over again so if an engine failure happens, its routine.”

The couple took their lessons at Treasure Coast Flight Training in Stuart, and now keep their airplanes there, a Piper Saratoga and Cessna 172.  With enough experience the couple applied to Angel Flight where they found so much joy in being able to help others in need. The first year with Angel Flight, David and Lisa flew approximately 40 missions, earning them the Rookie Pilot of the Year award. They are currently nominated for Pilot of the Year for 2018.

"Lilly is so calm and perfect for a service dog. I always thought before we were flying that she would do well in hospitals comforting kids. She just loves to be loved," Lisa Drew says.


David had cancer a couple of years ago and Lisa’s mother had cancer as well, making what they do more personal.

“Angel Flight is so important to people with illnesses, said Lisa, because it alleviates the stress of trying to get treatment at distant locations.”  David and Lisa use their Piper Saratoga for Angel Flight because it is a six-seater, air conditioned and more comfortable.

'Make the world a better place'

“We are very fortunate to have two planes and feel everyone should do something to make the world a better place.  If everyone would try then it would be a better place. There's a joke in aviation…..You go for a $100 hamburger because it costs so much to fly a plane.  Well, we go for a $3 hamburger and put the rest to work for Angel Flight. We feel privileged to be able to do so and love being able to give back that way,” said David.

Unique for AF3730 is Lilly, their service dog adopted from Big Dog Ranch when she was nine weeks old.  According to Lisa, “She was just naturally well behaved and we were so surprised because she was a wild dog.  Lilly is so calm and perfect for a service dog.  I always thought before we were flying that she would do well in hospitals comforting kids. She just loves to be loved.”


View of the Intracoastal Waterway from AF3730.

Lilly is very comforting to patients on Angel Flights, especially relieving stress for nervous fliers.  She puts her head on patients' laps and has such a cool, calm vibe to her. David and Lisa ask their passengers if they are comfortable with Lilly coming along and it depends on how sick or bad they are feeling if they want her to join.  For the most part they said everyone loves having Lilly as company and petting her.  “She really makes them laugh which is a good distraction,” said David.
Lilly hangs out

When Lisa or David have lessons or are teaching, Lilly hangs out in the office or hanger at Treasure Coast Flight Training and is known and loved by all.  Office Manager, Cindy McCabe said “Lilly is my niece and she fits in wonderfully.  Everyone just adores her. When Dave is flying she keeps me company in my office. 

At Treasure Coast Flight Training we cater to local pilots and international students that want to become professional pilots. We take them from zero time to their commercial, multi-engine license. They can become instructors to build their time and go on to work for regional airlines.  We’ve really grown and have gone from two planes to thirty. We’re very proud of our flight school and Lilly is our mascot.”


The couple took their lessons at Treasure Coast Flight Training in Stuart, and now keep their airplanes there, a Piper Saratoga and Cessna 172. Lisa Drew is pictured.

David and Lisa said how truly grateful they are for owner Brett Sipperley and the entire staff at Treasure Coast Flight Training.  “Because we are Angel Flight,” said David, “Brett lets us keep our plane in the maintenance hanger for free which lets us spend more money on gas which we can use for Angel Flight patients.  Lisa and I have such a great life and are having so much fun. 

"We are only married five years but originally met when our sons (who are now 25) were best friends in kindergarten and our families hung out together. We lost touch in 2000 and bumped into each other 13 years later. We started dating and ended up getting married.  We truly are best friends and Lisa is so awesome as a pilot and co-pilot.  It’s so much fun and even better when Lilly’s in the back.”

Angel Flight FAQ’s

According to angelflightse.org:

Where do we fly?  


Our missions are within a 1,000 nautical miles total distance from the patients home base airport.  Longer missions, which are more than 300 nautical miles, will require a hand-off with at least one to two other pilots depending on the total distance traveled. We do not fly outside the borders of the United States.

Is there ever any charge for Angel Flights?  No.  The entire cost of the flight is paid by the volunteer pilot who receives no reimbursement other than knowing their aviation skills and talents are making a difference.

Who is eligible to request an Angel Flight?

We will accept requests from anyone that is directly involved in the need (doctors,  social workers, nurses, patients or immediate family). Since the attending doctor must sign a medical release, they will be involved in the process from the beginning.

What are your requirements?

Angel Flight Southeast is not an air ambulance or on-demand service. Patients must be medically stable, ambulatory and capable of sitting upright and wearing a seat belt for the duration of the flight.  There must be either a demonstrated financial need or reason why  public transportation cannot be utilized.

What other services does Angel Flight provide?

While most missions are for scheduled treatments and surgeries, we also provide flight for organ recipients as well as organ and bone marrow donors.  We have worked with last-wish type organizations to meet their requests.

For more information on Angel Flights, visit their website at angelflightse.org.

Original article can be found here ➤  https://www.tcpalm.com

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