05/24/2015
Foundry Flights was contacted by Angel Flight West about performing one leg, in a multi-leg flight for a patient needing medical treatment in Oakland, California. Foundry Flights Pilot, Mike Varadi was able to perform the mission picking up the patient and his wife in Eugene, Oregon and then flying them down to Redding, California where another Angel Flight Pilot picked them up to continue their journey to Oakland.
Ironically, what was only suppose to be a one day mission and 2 1/2 hour return trip from Redding to McMinnville turned out to not be the case. Mike encountered poor weather condition on his return trip and not allowing him to come into the Willamette Valley to McMinnville. Instead, Mike was forced to land at the Bend (Oregon) Airport and spend the night.
Although Mike landed at Bend after the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) had closed, he ran into a flying club who was having a pot-luck diner and were kind enough to feed him and drive him to a hotel for the night. They were also kink enough to pick him up the next morning and give him a ride to the airport. Foundry Flight is greatly indebted to these fellow pilots for their generosity!
The next day, Mike was able to fly as far north as The Dalles, Oregon but was still unable to continue on to McMinnville. At this, Mike's son was able to drive Mike's wife, Cynthia, out to The Dalles so that Mike and Cynthia could spend their 28th wedding anniversary together.
Finally, the next afternoon, Mike, with Cynthia, was able to complete the Angel Flight Mission which had started two days earlier and fly back to McMinnville.
Foundry Flights is very fortunate to have a volunteer pilot like Mike. It shows to Mike's character and dedication to remain focused on the mission and perform service above and beyond what was originally expected.
A special thanks also goes to The Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Oregon for providing the funding for this flight through a grant.