Air Transportation Options for Research

Air transportation resources may be available for patients going to The Children’s Institute or for research trips, including travel to one of the participating sites for the NIH Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN).

Angel Flight’s volunteer pilots provide flights in single-engine, four-six seat aircraft to patients at no charge. To be eligible, patients must be medically stable, ambulatory, and able to sit upright in an aircraft seat during flight. Angel Flights are for patients in financial need and who have their medical status certified by their doctors. An escort may accompany the patient, and children may be accompanied by both parents.

Flight distances are limited to 1,000 miles. Weight restrictions apply, and luggage is limited to 50 pounds. Safety is a primary concern. Pilots will not fly in poor weather. Patients need to be flexible, have a back-up plan or be able to reschedule their appointments.

If you are interested in finding out if Angel Flight meets your air transportation needs to participate in a clinical research study, contact Marita Eddy at 301-451-9646 or meddy@mail.nih.gov.

For patients who live farther than 1,000 miles, other resources may be available through Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA), which manages programs and services available to patients with both common and rare diseases.

If you are flying to any of the RDCRN facilities, contact Marita.

For patients who are looking for travel help to other locations, call the National Patient Travel Center at 800-296-1217 or check www.patienttravel.org.

Interview with Marita Eddy - click here

Angel Flight Download - click here

edited: 10/29/2010