Meet Mary Hunter
New leadership at Angel Flight West
Endeavor Awards
Angel Flight West hosts the annual Endeavor Awards at the Los Angeles Science Center and formerly under the Endeavour shuttle, which has now been moved to the center’s exterior. This benefit gala highlights outstanding volunteers and others who have profoundly impacted the public. This year’s honorees included former AOPA President Mark Baker, volunteer pilots Mike Evans and Lisa Fusano, as well as aerial firefighters and the Polaris Dawn Crew. The evening begins with a flyover and drinks in the rose garden, before a presentation of awards and live auction with proceeds going toward Angel Flight West. 
With a background in the nonprofit sector and a “dedication to mission-driven work,” Hunter says her passion for aviation “developed through the lens of how much the industry and community give back by using their skills and love for flying to help others.
“Throughout my career, my goal has been to find a way to serve others. When I first learned about AFW and how volunteer pilots provide free flights for people in need of medical care and other critical services, I was confident that I needed to be involved,” she says. “I went to AirVenture after four months on the job—and I never looked back.”
The most rewarding part, she says, is positively impacting passengers’ lives. In a close second is how the work affects volunteers. “These flights don’t only impact patients and their families—they make a difference to our volunteers by connecting them to something bigger than themselves.”
Hunter notes that “weather and logistics can be tough” but that “we’re always working to grow our network and improve scheduling to serve as many people as possible.” AFW’s volunteers are not limited to pilots—some drive passengers when flying is not possible, and others help by booking commercial flights on their behalf when that’s an option.
One of Hunter’s biggest goals in her new position is to grow AFW.
“I’m excited to expand AFW’s reach and increase awareness about the incredible generosity of our volunteer pilots. Whether that’s through recruiting more pilots, partnering with healthcare providers, or simply sharing more stories of impact, I want to help AFW grow so we can serve even more people in need.”
“The more people know about AFW, the more we can help those in need.”
AFW’s core mission is to connect passengers to critical care at no cost. And you don’t have to be a pilot to help.
“There are so many ways to help!” says Mary Hunter. “Pilots can volunteer their time and aircraft, but even nonpilots can support us by donating, helping with ground transportation, or spreading the word. The more people know about AFW, the more we can help those in need.”
Originally the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Medical Support Flight Team and founded in 1983, AFW rebranded and became an independent organization in 1986. Angel Flight West celebrated 40 years and 100,000 flights in 2023. 
angelflightwest.orgASI’s Public Benefit Flying course
You love to fly, and you like the idea of using your passion to help others. Public benefit flying makes that possible through the rewarding experience of patient and non-emergency medical and animal transport, disaster relief, educational flights, and environmental support. But it also demands a professional, safety-minded approach. This AOPA Air Safety Institute course helps you understand the additional flight planning considerations required beyond those for a regular cross-country flight.
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