| Volunteer with LightHawk |
Volunteer Pilots match every charitable gift made to LightHawk with an in-kind contribution of 70-85 cents on the dollar through their generous donations of flights to the more than 250 conservation partners who receive flights each year.
"It's sort of like being asked to go fishing for conservation - only flying is more fun than fishing."
- Volunteer pilot Chris Boyer (MT)
Requirements
To become a member of LightHawk's volunteer pilot corps, licensed pilots are required to have a minimum of 1000 hours of pilot-in-command time. In addition to these experience requirements, all pilots flying for LightHawk must maintain currency with all Federal Aviation requirements and regulations; hold and maintain a current medical certificate; and possess adequate insurance coverage for their aircraft and passengers. Additionally, it is recommended that volunteers live within a geographic region in which we currently operate a program. Pilots in regions without program managers will be asked to donate flights far less often. We currently seek additional volunteers in all of our operating regions and we welcome your inquiries. Questions? Download LightHawk's VP FAQs (pdf).
Who are these Pilots?
Our volunteer pilots range from retired professionals to avid private pilots to commercial and ex-military pilots. A spirit of volunteerism, professionalism, and a commitment to improving environmental conditions characterizes all.
Check out our 2011 Volunteer Pilot Award winners announced October 8, 2011 in Boise, ID.
2011 LightHawk Volunteer Pilot Awards
Safety and Support
Safety is serious business. We urge you to check out the FAA Safety Briefings as well as the AOPA Air Safety Institute and Callback, a monthly safety bulletin from NASA.
Aviation support: Find out who provides extra lift for our volunteer flying.
| Pilot Stories from Conservation's Front Lines | ||
"River Pilots" highlights Dan Meyer's (AZ) donated flights over the arid landscapes of Arizona. Pilot Bill Rush (CA) took along a film crew for his flights in support of the Sonoran Institute following the Colorado River Delta through the Mexican border.
Fly along with pilot Bob Keller (NY) over New York state's 6-million-acre Adirondack Park.
Joy Covey (CA) didn't know much about Mexican wolves. Then she flew one named "Zeke" for release into the wildlands of Arizona.
Read what made "Conservation Flyer" Chris Boyer (MT) sign up as a LightHawk pilot the minute he reached the required 1,000 hour of PIC time. Acclaimed conservation photographer Dave Showalter profiles Chris in his Western Wild online journal.
Volunteer pilot Jane Nicolai (WA) had her breath taken away on a recent flight.
Crew Chief for LightHawk's Cessna 206, Will Worthington (AZ) talks about his flying. VP Jo Duffy (CA) talks about flying for California Marine Protected Areas on the radio. |
To learn more about becoming a member of LightHawk’s elite Volunteer Pilot corps, contact Pilot Outreach Manager Greg Bedinger, 206-842-5034.
Questions? Download LightHawk's VP FAQs (pdf).
banner photos: University of New Hampshire, Steven Garman, J Henry Fair