Canadian Wings of Rescue

Canadian Wings of Rescue

Canadian Wings of Rescue / Uncategorized  / A step-by-step look at a Canadian Wings of Rescue flight

A step-by-step look at a Canadian Wings of Rescue flight

At Canadian Wings of Rescue (CWoR), it takes more than a plane to make a flight happen. It takes planning, coordination, and a whole lot of heart. Here’s a look at how one of our transports unfolded — from start to safe landing — showing how volunteers come together to give animals their second chance.

Max and Maple are all smiles before their flight.

Step 1: The request comes in
When Max and Maple needed a helping hand, they didn’t know they’d be relying on a team of strangers all working together to get them closer to adoption.

Rescue partners like Golden Rescue submit a transport request through our website, which kicks off a carefully coordinated process. Max and Maple were two lucky golden retrievers ready for a new beginning, and a rescue flight was their best shot at getting there.

Step 2: Finding a pilot
Once the request was approved, an alert was sent out to our network of volunteer pilots. That’s how Kai, a private pilot, stepped in to help. He offered to fly Max and Maple from northern Ontario to their next destination.

Step 3: Making connections
As with all of our transports, a WhatsApp group was created by one of our Transport Coordinators to connect everyone involved. The chat includes the pilot(s), rescue partners, any on-the-ground sending or receiving volunteers, and CWoR staff volunteers.

Max and Maple with one of their foster parents in northern Ontario.

Step 4: Prioritizing safety for all involved
Like most flights in private aircraft, timing is highly dependent on the weather. Our volunteer pilot, in true pilot form, kept a close eye on Sunday’s forecast and coordinated a potential departure time around 8:00 a.m., hoping to arrive for the pick-up of Max and Maple around 12:30 p.m. — with possible stops along the way if winds were strong or fuel was needed.

Ahead of time, the group discussed multiple factors:

  • Would Max and Maple be okay for a 3.5-hour flight?
  • Would they both be comfortable during the trip?
  • Was Kai comfortable flying solo, or would he prefer a passenger?

As it turned out, Kai had an extra set of hands lined up. He brought a passenger to join him for the journey, keeping spirits high and offering support along the way.

Step 5: Working through the details
No detail is too small. From airport logistics to coordinating drop-offs and pick-ups at each end, everyone played their part. The team discussed ideal departure times, transfer handoffs, and how the dogs might handle the flight.

This kind of communication — open, responsive, and thoughtful — is what makes CWoR flights possible. Even when hiccups come up (storms, fuel stops, or last-minute doggy bathroom breaks), the goal remains the same: keep everyone safe and get animals where they need to go.

Volunteer pilot, Kai, with Max and Maple.

Step 6: A renewed beginning
By the time the dogs were en route, the plan was confirmed, hands were in place, and tails were wagging. Max and Maple were one step closer to their forever families — thanks to a community of animal lovers and volunteers who made it happen.

Interested in joining us?
Whether you’re a rescue, wildlife organization, donor, or a pilot ready to lend your wings, Canadian Wings of Rescue is here to help animals soar toward their next chapter.

Cheryl

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Happy Air Traffic Controller Day!

Air traffic controllers are the unseen guides keeping our skies safe, coordinating aircraft movements, managing airspace, and ensuring pilots have what they need for safe flights.

Here at Canadian Wings of Rescue, we're fortunate to have ATCs on our team through our volunteers who also act as our pilots! They bring expertise that helps us navigate complex airspace and coordinate rescue flights across the country for all of our beloved animals.

To all the air traffic controllers, thank you for keeping everyone safe up there. We're happy to work with you on every important rescue.

Happy Air Traffic Controller Day!

Air traffic controllers are the unseen guides keeping our skies safe, coordinating aircraft movements, managing airspace, and ensuring pilots have what they need for safe flights.

Here at Canadian Wings of Rescue, we`re fortunate to have ATCs on our team through our volunteers who also act as our pilots! They bring expertise that helps us navigate complex airspace and coordinate rescue flights across the country for all of our beloved animals.

To all the air traffic controllers, thank you for keeping everyone safe up there. We`re happy to work with you on every important rescue.
...

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This summer has been incredible for Canadian Wings of Rescue – we've completed over 25 life-saving transports across Canada. Whether flying animals to forever homes, urgent medical care, foster families, or safe shelters, each flight represents a critical lifeline for these precious souls.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the amazing volunteers who coordinate these transports, our rescue partners who trust us with their animals, the foster families who open their hearts and homes, and especially our volunteer pilots who donate their time, skills, and aircraft to make these rescues possible.

As we head into the colder months, our commitment doesn't waver. Winter weather won't ground our compassion! If you know of any animal in need of transport to safety, medical care, or a new beginning anywhere across Canada, please reach out. 

Together, we're bridging distances and saving lives, one flight at a time.

This summer has been incredible for Canadian Wings of Rescue – we`ve completed over 25 life-saving transports across Canada. Whether flying animals to forever homes, urgent medical care, foster families, or safe shelters, each flight represents a critical lifeline for these precious souls.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the amazing volunteers who coordinate these transports, our rescue partners who trust us with their animals, the foster families who open their hearts and homes, and especially our volunteer pilots who donate their time, skills, and aircraft to make these rescues possible.

As we head into the colder months, our commitment doesn`t waver. Winter weather won`t ground our compassion! If you know of any animal in need of transport to safety, medical care, or a new beginning anywhere across Canada, please reach out.

Together, we`re bridging distances and saving lives, one flight at a time.
...

20 0
We're grateful for this wonderful community of animal and aviation lovers! 

Behind every rescue flight is a team of heroes - pilots donating their time, rescues working tirelessly to support animals,  airports and fixed-base operators (FBOs) offering support, and those volunteering behind the scenes. 

We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for helping us get animals to safety and new beginnings. ❤️

We`re grateful for this wonderful community of animal and aviation lovers!

Behind every rescue flight is a team of heroes - pilots donating their time, rescues working tirelessly to support animals, airports and fixed-base operators (FBOs) offering support, and those volunteering behind the scenes.

We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for helping us get animals to safety and new beginnings. ❤️
...

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