After talking with the pilot and conducting a little online research, he developed a new plan. The pilot would now land in Charlotte, N.C. Dr. Epstein then purchased a plane ticket for the patient—at his own expense—on a commercial airliner that would safely fly him the rest of the way.
For all of his efforts, Angel Flight honored Dr. Epstein last year as Pilot of the Year at an event held at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. As he approaches retirement, he envisions many more Angel Flights in his future, providing his health remains intact.
Until then, he will continue devoting many of his weekends to Angel Flight.
“I’m the kind of person who loves to give back all the time,” Dr. Epstein says. “I do that not only in my flying, but in community activities as well. For me, it’s just part of helping make the world a better place.”
Carol Patton, a freelance writer based in Las Vegas, Nev., writes the Rheum after 5 column for The Rheumatologist.
