Using an Eclipse for Charitable Flights, With Mark Hanson

By John Zimmerman
Jun 2, 2026
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Pilot's Discretion Podcast, episode 131

Public benefit flying might mean transporting a cancer patient or relocating turtles, but regardless of the mission Mark Hanson says it’s rewarding, fun, and great for keeping your pilot skills sharp. He talks about managing the pressure of these flights, how to get started with a volunteer pilot organization, and why his Eclipse is the perfect airplane. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about his most memorable passenger, tips for flying into busy airports, and a new aviation weather tool he likes.

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Quotes:

How Mark got into public benefit flying: “it gave me a compelling reason to use my skills, my airplane, to do something for others.”
The need for medical transportation: “more than 6 million appointments are missed every year because of transportation.”
Air Care Alliance: “we want to advance the awareness of the availability of these services to those that need it. And then we want to make sure that pilots and other aviation providers… are aware of the need.”
Dealing with imposter syndrome: “getting over the hurdle of that first flight—that is the biggest challenge.”
Managing external pressure: “everyone wants to be a hero. So we like heroes, but we don't want to necessarily have get-there-itis.”
Personal minimums on a patient flight: “do something to apply a little extra buffer so that you're not feeling pressure to get into somewhere… I'll add 3-500 feet on a really tight day.”
Getting help from the system: “Air traffic control is very, very supportive and most of the agencies that we deal with are very supportive of public benefit flying.”
The value for pilots: “flying more into places that are not things you just go to every day for a hamburger also makes you safer because it makes you think about processes and procedures.”
Stepping up to jets, even light ones: “You're being treated like you're an airline transport pilot. So your level of performance now has to be at that same level.”
Flying the Eclipse: “There's still nothing that matches its performance”
The incredible rewards: “It's just great to see the people that you're flying either get better or in this case, the children grow up”
Weather deviations: “As soon as you ask if, you should.”
Staying proficient: “I'm not afraid to fly with instructors that I don't know. And I actually think I learned more from flying with someone I've never met.”