Governor Roy Romer signed legislation on May 24 creating a State Aeronautics Division under the Department of Military Affairs. The June 1988 issue of Flight Lines features President Don Welsh’s column encouraging CPA members to participate in AirLifeline, a non-profit charitable organization of volunteer pilots who donate their time, skills, fuel, and aircraft to fly critical medical missions. AirLifeline transports time-sensitive medical cargo such as organs, blood products, and tissues, as well as patients requiring specialized treatment far from home. Welsh emphasizes that combining a love of flying with humanitarian concern offers pilots a meaningful way to serve their communities.
The newsletter highlights membership opportunities for AirLifeline, which requires pilots to have a minimum of 200 hours of flight time and access to an aircraft. Requirements include submitting copies of pilot licenses, medical certificates, aircraft insurance certificates, and a completed pilot application. The organization contacts volunteer pilots geographically based on mission location, allowing pilots to accept or decline missions according to their schedules, with typical missions covering 500 miles or less.
Key Topics
- State Aeronautics Division creation under Department of Military Affairs
- AirLifeline volunteer pilot program and medical missions
- Professional standards in aviation
- Time-critical medical cargo transportation
- Financial assistance for patients
Events & Activities
- Saturday, July 16: 12th Annual Denver-to-Jackpot Air Classic (approximately 500-mile course starting at Front Range Airport)
- Saturday, August 13: Airmanship Workshop and Competition (tentative location: Fort Morgan) – includes precision landings and bombing competition
Member News
- New Members Welcomed: Beardsley, Al (Watkins, CO); Fox, Fred M. (Arvada, CO); Fox, Robert H., M.D. (Grand Junction, CO); Grable, Randy (Thornton, CO); Hilchie, Joyce (Boulder, CO); Johnson, Bobby (Lafayette, CO); Johnson, Rick (Kerrville, TX); Pond, Tim (Durango, CO); Schoonover, Randall (Denver, CO); Wilder, Russ (Watkins, CO)
