Our area of operation is generally restricted to the Northeast quadrant of the United States. On special occasions we are able to link with other volunteer pilot groups from neighboring areas to accommodate flights of greater distances. VPA pilots operate single-engine and light twin-engine aircraft that generally travel at a speed of 100 to 200 miles per hour. Our pilots can use many small, local airports in areas not served by scheduled airlines. We can also fly into the nation's major airports.

Our volunteer pilots provide air transportation only. We are unable to provide any medical attention or life support services. We are NOT an air ambulance service. Patients must be medically stable and able to sit in a seat and wear a seat belt. Patients are typically traveling to or from a hospital or clinic for diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis, or other treatment.

Urgent flights to retrieve donor organs are another type of air transportation we provide. Our pilots fill a much needed gap in the transportation of organs from smaller airports not served by large commercial airlines or from larger airports when airline flights are not scheduled. We have flown missions for organizations such as Pittsburgh Center for Organ Recovery (CORE) and the Medical Eye Bank of Western Pennsylvania.

Our FAA licensed pilots have volunteered their time and resources and are ordinary, private citizens with a strong sense of community service. They are people from virtually all walks of life who are anxious to use their flying skills for the benefit of those in need. All have volunteered their time, aircraft, and expenses without reimbursement. These are truly dedicated individuals who wish to put their numerous hours of training to good use.