Sky heroes: How special service is helping region’s small towns

The free service has helped people say goodbye to loved ones, reunited families and provided access to medical treatment.

St George resident Margaret Killen was recently flown to day surgery in Brisbane by Angel Flight, when she was unable to make it to Toowoomba.

Similar to guardian angels, Angel Flight pilots are there when you need them and Paul Michel is no exception.

The qualified pilot has been volunteering his time in the use of his own twin engine Piper Navajo aircraft, with Angel Flight for almost four years.

Flying about two flights per month across the country, Mr Michel regularly flies into areas such as St George, Charleville and Cunnamulla, as well as rural towns in NSW, South Australia and Central and Far North Queensland.

“I love flying so I thought it would be a good way to indulge my passion of flying, help people and give back to the community,” Mr Michel said.

“People are very appreciative and you see it in their faces, so I get real satisfaction from helping them.”

Mr Michel said during his time as a volunteer pilot, he has flown family members to say goodbye to loved ones before they pass, as well as reunite families across the border, including little Memphis Francis, 3, who was separated from his parents for two long months.

“A couple from Toowoomba who had a surrogate baby born to them in Adelaide, couldn’t come home via commercial flights,” he said.

“So I flew from Archerfield down to Adelaide and brought them and their little two-week-old baby home, which was just lovely.”

Volunteer pilot Paul Michel with his wife Sandy Michel at an Angel Flight display.

When Margaret Killen required immediate day surgery in December last year, the 79-year-old St George resident and her daughter-in-law attempted to drive to Toowoomba.

But with severe weather causing some roads to flood, it forced the pair to return home again.

Living in a small town with limited access to healthcare and with Ms Killen’s specialist requiring the results as soon as possible, she decided to turn to Angel Flight for assistance.

“It was the first time I used the service myself but I know of others from St George who had used it and had spoken highly of their experience, whether it be for a sick child or someone’s sick mother,” Ms Killen said.

“I can’t begin to say how wonderful the service, my pilot and the earth angel was – we couldn’t have asked for anyone kinder or more helpful.”

In fact, the first-time service user said she couldn’t fault the service or its volunteers and would definitely use it again.

“The people who donate their time for this service to help us and people in rural areas, are just wonderful,” Ms Killen said.

Ms Killen said she and her daughter-in-law were seated on the plane by 10am, were updated regularly by the pilot who had flown out from Brisbane and felt very comfortable and safe on the plane.

St George resident Margaret Killen was recently flown to day surgery in Brisbane by Angel Flight, when she was unable to make it to Toowoomba.

Relocating to St George with her late husband in 2005, the retiree has lived in southwest Queensland for many years.

Ms Killen said the Angel Flight service made her feel more at ease living in the small town of St George, as it showed help was available should it be needed quickly.

The registered charity recently celebrated flying 20 million kilometres to help Australians living in small country towns to attend cities for non-emergency medical appointments and specialist treatments.

Free of charge, the service assists patients struggling with poor health, lack of finances or access to transport for long distances and regularly coordinates up to 25 flights per day.

Since 2003, Angel Flight has flown 60,000 people, carers and families members and conducted more than 20,000 flights to date and all pilots are volunteers who use their own aircraft.

The service runs solely on donations from individuals, clubs and companies to fund essentials including fuel and does not engage in commercial fundraising.

Originally published as Sky heroes: How special service is helping region’s small towns