community spotlight A-LISTS
TPHILIP MANLY
AKING TO THE SKIES FOR A WORTHY CAUSE
by jared cox
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the
earth walking with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” As a pilot myself, these words ring loud and clear in my own personal life. Nothing is as exhilarating and freeing as leaving earth’s surface and climb- ing toward the heavens above. This month, I would like to take the opportunity to high- light someone who has taken his passion of flying and used if for the good of mankind. Philip Manly, pilot and tortilla maker, has been flying since 1999. He has logged over 1,200 hours of flight time in aircraft ranging from Cessna 172s to his own Cessna 310, a six seat, twin engine aircraft. In life, being able to find a passion and use it selflessly is something that many strive for, but few achieve. Philip has been an active member of several LGBT pilot associations. The most preva-
lent organization, with over 800 active members, is the National Gay Pilot’s Association. The NGPA is an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pilots and other aviation enthusiasts/professionals from around the world—promoting aviation safety and equal treatment. Through education, outreach and special events, NGPA provides an affirming social and professional network for gay and lesbian members of the avia- tion community, from pilots and students, to flight attendants, mechanics and air traf- fic controllers. All are welcome. The NGPA’s Education Fund has awarded over $102,000 in scholarships since its inaugural grant in 1998. Philip has participated in several of the NGPA’s national events held each winter in Palms Springs as well as various local events with the local chapter, Unusual Attitudes. Each month, Unusual Attitudes hosts different fly-in events where pilots from across southern California can fly their planes to attended various events from dinners, camping trips, whitewater rafting and day trips to destinations like Catalina Island, Banning, Bermuda Dunes and San Diego’s Montgomery Field. Apart from the national and local gay pilot’s associations, Philip has used his skills and
resources to give back to not only the LGBT community, but also his local neighbors as well. Philip has been a volunteer pilot for two nonprofit organizations, Angel Flight and LIGA—The Flying Doctors of Mercy. Philip has been participating with various Angel Flight missions for nearly three years. Angel Flight was created by a group of pilots who believe in the benefit of volunteering. They strive to keep all aspects of the organization
volunteer-based. Angel Flight will arrange free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, medi-
cally related need. This service is available to individuals and health care organizations. Transportation of people who are financially distressed or who are in a time-critical, non-emergency situation due to their medical condition can also benefit. LIGA’s volunteer pilots fly missions to Sinaloa, Mexico from the months of October
to June. The missions depart on Friday mornings allowing the medical staff time to get prepared for three clinics on Saturday. Currently, the organization operates ap- proximately 25 flights, consisting of 80 people per mission. The clinics afford the local community in Mexico operating rooms, dental centers and eye clinics. Phillip states that he especially enjoys working with LIGA because he is inspired by passion of the medical staff he works with who give freely of their time and skills to the impoverished people of Mexico. Using his aircraft and piloting skills is a way Philip believes he can give back to humanity. Most recently, Philip’s donation of two one-hour scenic flights raised over $1,600 at
a Santa Ana AIDS Lifecycle event. Philip has also donated flights for other LGBT causes in Los Angeles, Long Beach and the great Orange County regions. Philip believes and lives by the idea that being able to share the gift of flight, whether through medical treatment or by training someone interested in flying, he can further enhance the LGBT community as a whole. Philip connects with the statement on flying from poet K.O. Eckland, “Within all of us is a varying amount of space lint and star dust; the residue from our creation. Most are too busy to notice it, and it is stronger in some than others. It is strongest in those of us who fly and is responsible for an unconscious, subtle desire to slip into some wings and try for the elusive boundaries of our origin.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAMS AFFILIATED WITH MR. MANLY, VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:
ngpa.org ligainternational.org angelflight.org unusualattitudes.info
JUNE 2010 | RAGE monthly 15
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