Louisville fly-in raises money for Angel Flight Soar

Dozens of pilots descended on Louisville recently to share stories and raise money for a program that provides free flights for people needing medical treatments.

Mark Weinstein has been flying for Angel Flight Soars, a Dekalb Peachtree Airport service, for a little over a year.

“It’s a great program that really helps people in need,” Weinstein said.

The group’s website, http://www.angelflightsoars.org/, says that it is built around the idea that “the cost of travel should never stand in the way of people receiving medical care.”

Weinstein explained that individuals needing medical treatment such as at a cancer or burn center can reach out to this organization and volunteer pilots then work to share their time and aircraft to transport the individuals to and from their appointments.

“There’s a lot of flying in and out of Augusta for the burn center,” Weinstein said. “There’s an airport near me in Newnan where a cancer treatment center is.”

Weinstein worked with Louisville pilot Dwonn Giesbrecht to plan an April 23 fly-in at the Louisville Municipal Airport.

Louisville’s Home Fresh Bistro provided the lunch for donations and Giesbrecht said that 100 percent of the proceeds went to Angel Flight Soars.

“The turnout was awesome,” Giesbrecht said. “Every little bit helps. Anything we can give back is worth it.”

Weinstein said that he has already started putting together thoughts for another fly-in and would like to grow it every year.

“People flew in from West Georgia, South Carolina, Atlanta,” Weinstein said. “There were experimental planes, a couple of four-seat Robinson R-44 helicopters, several Cessnas and we even had a bi-plane show up.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Louisville fly-in raises money for Angel Flight Soar