What is the history of
the VPP?
Is the VPP regulated?
Who will be a VPP Client?
What type of VPP Missions will
I fly?
What if I can't fly on the request date
(e.g. inclement weather)?
Are any of my costs reimbursed?
Does the VPP carry insurance for all Missions?
What about paperwork?
Remind me, again, of the benefits of being
a Volunteer Pilot?
What is the history of the VPP?
In 1999, Hope Air launched an innovative new program with
the goal of extending our service to communities not well
covered by commercial airlines. Initially funded by a generous
grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Volunteer
Pilot Program continues to be a splendid success. Supported
by several principal sponsors, the program continues to
be expanded into all regions of Canada.
As at the end of 2007:
- more than 1,445 missions have been
flown by VPP
- VPP has logged more than:
- 2,852.3 hours of flying Clients to
medical appointments
- 339,764 nautical miles have been
travelled by Volunteer Pilots on Hope Air missions
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Is the VPP regulated?
Hope Air worked closely with the Canadian Transport Agency
("CTA") in 2006 and carried out a full review
of our operation. The CTA is responsible for licencing Canadian
airlines. Hope Air is unique in the sense that we do not,
in any way, operate a commercial air service, however, we
are considered under the Canada Transportation Act to be
providing a publicly-available air service and therefore
requiring a licence. The Act also permits the CTA to exempt
an entity from the licence requirement where the CTA is
of the opinion that the compliance is unnecessary, undesirable
or impractical.
As Hope Air has no jurisdiction over the dispatch
of VPP flights (i.e. we do not interfere in any way with
the pilot's individual decision to fly or not), we are a
Canadian charity and we carry the appropriate primary passenger
and public liability insurance, Hope Air holds an exemption
for the requirements to hold a licence as granted by the
CTA.
This does not in any way impact on any of Hope
Air's Volunteer Pilots, directly or indirectly. It does
show that Hope Air operates its service to the highest standard
and in full recognition by the CTA and Transport Canada.
It also provides to Hope Air's Clients, and to our supporters,
assurance that we operate with the care, skill and diligence
which is most appropriate.
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Who will
be a VPP Client?
A Client
using Hope Air's VPP service will:
1. have a confirmed medical appointment with
a recognized
medical treatment center
2. be travelling for a medical treatment
covered by their
provincial health plan
3. demonstrate financial need
4. have medical clearance to fly in an
un-pressurized aircraft
and not require medical treatment on board
5. be able to sit in a regular aircraft
seat
6. sign a release of liability waiver
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What type of Missions will I fly?
Our Flight Managers never know where the next Flight will
be needed. An average Flight is usually 200-500 nm each
direction. If we receive a request for a longer Flight we
may coordinate it as a relay with other Volunteer Pilots
or with a commercial flight. Some medical procedures span
several days, and therefore a pilot is only responsible
for transporting the Client in one direction. Another pilot
will provide transportation for the reciprocal leg. Remember,
it is entirely your decision to accept a Mission.
Some Missions may be assigned to pilots with additional
qualifications, including a night rating and/or instrument
rating. In some cases we may be seeking pilots who have
had previous experience flying in special conditions, such
as mountainous terrain, short field, turf, or float flying.
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What if I can't fly on the requested
date (e.g. inclement weather?
We all understand that circumstances might not be suitable
for a Flight. As PIC, the final decision to fly or not (as
always) rests with you. It is very important not to feel
pressured to make a Flight. Passengers are aware of the
need to have alternative arrangements should such a situation
arise.
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Are any of my costs reimbursed?
We will reimburse 50% of your incurred fuel costs based
on your aircraft's cruise burn rate.
In addition, Hope Air will issue you an official charitable
tax receipt for the remaining costs incurred for fuel and
operating expenses during the VPP Mission. Hope Air will
also issue an official tax receipt, following appropriate
fuel reimbursement, for pilots renting a fleet (or club)
aircraft.
Receipting practices are based on the operating cost of
the aircraft and not the renting cost. For more infomation,
please contact the Manager, Volunteer Pilot Program.
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Does the VPP carry insurance for all
Missions?
Hope air continually reviews its insurance coverage in respect
of its operations. Every pilot, when flying a Hope Air Mission
has, in addition to their own insurance, additional coverage
of $300,000 for every seat on a Hope Air Flight (live -
or dead-heading), and an additional $1 million for public
liability. Due to the need to fully delineate our flight
insurance parameters, Hope Air has found it necessary to
limit the number of seats onboard any aircraft flying VPP
Missions to a maximum number of six (6) (including flight
crew positions) and to limit its volunteer "fleet"
to only include aircraft that have a Maximum Certified Take-off
weight of 7,500 lbs or less. If you operate an aircraft
with more than six seats, or a MCTOW greater than 7,500
lbs, please contact us to discuss. We're happy to address
each situation which does not fall under our current coverage
and this will be done on an individual basis.
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What about the paperwork?
We try our best to keep the paperwork you are required to
do to a minimum. But, we are flying Clients and we need
to be sure that we have all the necessary details: about
who is flying, what plane they are flying and how the Flight
went. Through our website and email process, much of what
you will need to do is online. Our "paperwork"
includes:
1. Pilot & Aircraft Registration Form:
details about you
and your aircraft
2. Mission Report: your time and details
about the
Mission you flew (vital for fuel reimbursement purposes)
3. Updating your pilot or aircraft details
as they may change
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Remind me, again, of the benefits
of being a Volunteer Pilot?
In addition to participating in a very unique philanthropic
cause, VPP Pilots enjoy the following benefits:
- the unique opportunity to combine
your passion for flying with the reward of helping someone
in need
- fuel reimbursement at a pre-set rate
- a charitable tax receipt for your operating costs
- permission to use the Hope Air call sign which waives
landing and NAVCanada fees
- participation in VPP Pilot recognition events
- additional liability insurance coverage at no cost to
you
But the biggest benefit you will receive are the "smiles
of thanks" from the people you have helped!
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