Angel Flight West completes a thorough briefing with every passenger about the weight limitations on Angel Flight missions. Passengers are advised that cargo space is limited, and that baggage weight and size is limited for safety reasons. Exact passenger and companion weights are always taken, and passengers are advised that the number of companions they may bring should be kept to a minimum due to limited room on the aircraft most commonly flown by Angel Flight pilots.
Passengers are told they must pack their belongings in small, soft-sided bags, weighing no more than 25 lbs per person, with a total maximum weight of 50 lbs. This maximum weight still applies to three or more passengers. Baggage weight exceeding 50 lbs will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, most often for passengers travelling with medical equipment or child gear (collapsible wheelchairs, car seats, oxygen tanks, etc.) or for camp missions.
Passengers are told that if their baggage exceeds the weight listed on the itinerary, they may have to leave it behind. It may be helpful to carry a hand scale in the event your passengers appear to have more baggage than you anticipated. While you may be able to accommodate additional weight, the pilot bringing the passenger home may not. Please inform the AFW office if your passenger’s baggage exceeds the weight or description listed on the itinerary so appropriate follow up can be done.
You always have the right to decline to carry a passenger’s baggage if it will be a safety risk to your flight. If you must do so, you can get the AFW office involved to help handle the situation. It is also helpful for the AFW office to be aware of any baggage issues so we can work with the passenger to prevent it from happening again in the future.