TIL about Elevated Access, an organization of licensed pilots who are providing FREE air transportation to people who need abortion healthcare or gender-affirming healthcare.
Elevated Access has the full details of how it works for passengers at their website but the short form is:
You contact an abortion/gender-affirming care support organization (like the Midwest Access Coalition)
(If the organization doesn’t know about Elevated Access, and a ~100-600 mile direct flight might help you get access to the healthcare you need, then let the support organization know about Elevated Access!)
The organization works with Elevated Access to find a pilot and schedule the flight
Elevated Access connects you and your pilot, and you arrange any final details.
You meet the pilot at a small airport (no TSA, no lines, and you don’t have to tell anyone why you’re there). Then you travel from your state with bans to a state where you can get your care.
These aircraft can cost ~$100~400/hr to operate but by FAA law, the pilots cannot receive compensation for these volunteer services. They’re just donating their time, abilities, money, and aircraft for the cause.
These aren’t commercial airline flights, they’re what’s called General Aviation, which means “small” planes and often private pilots. As a licensed pilot w/ about 200 hours flying time in this world I’ll just say that’s a GOOD thing. There are many more GA airports than big commercial hubs, so no matter where you’re located or where you need to go, chances are there’s a small airport within 20 miles. Think of it like a road trip but with a much better view :)
If you or anyone you know needs an abortion or gender affirming care because your state bans it, look at Elevated Access.
Elevated Access is a nonprofit based with volunteer pilots willing to fly those in need to states that provide proper healthcare. It's despicable that it's even necessary, but it's what things have come to.
Link below. Share if someone is in need of it, or even donate if you wish.
U.S. pilots are providing transportation for reproductive health care and gender confirming care free of charge via elevatedaccess.org (Hawaii and Alaska excluded)
Today I learned that if you need to travel for gender affirming or reproductive healthcare, this non-profit can fly you there for free. Here's the link:
Look into elevated access if you are in a red state ESPECIALLY AROUND ILLINOIS to see if you can be flown to a place that provides abortion care and if you are a pilot see if you can join to help get people the healthcare they need