ATC Clears Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo Flight To Heaven

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ATC Clears Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo Flight To Heaven

September 8, 2015 - REVA Air Ambulance company's worldwide jet fleet is grounded today in observance of one of its youngest captains’ funeral, which comes in the wake of his tragic, headline news-making car crash on South Florida’s Interstate 95.

During the past four years, Captain Patrick Gustin piloted medical evacuation flights between six continents, shuttling injured and ill Americans abroad to U.S. hospitals; airlifting premature babies to critical care units and flying people of all ages, with various conditions, for urgent treatments.

Just a few miles from the company’s headquarters at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, FL, the 35 year-old pilot was driving his 1999 Porsche 911, when, “for an undetermined reason, the vehicle veered to the right and left the roadway onto the grass shoulder and struck a palm tree,” according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Gustin died of sudden impact injuries. He was wearing his seatbelt. No other vehicles were involved in the 3:15 AM early morning crash, last Thursday. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to FHP.

Reva Air Ambulance Captain Patrick Brent Gustin on Tarmac at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

Love at First Flight: Gustin’s father, Michael, is a Fort Worth, TX oil and gas explorationist with worldwide and South Florida business interests. He recites, “One of Patrick’s instructors at Daytona Beach, Florida's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University characterized my son as, 'A Natural.' ”

Captain Gustin graduated Embry-Riddle in 2005 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Sciences. He has held several pilot positions since then. Gustin joined REVA Air Ambulance in 2011.

“Patrick excelled in his role as first officer and was promoted to Captain in less than two years,” says Stoltz. “That is an exceptional escalation in rank in the aviation industry. Advancing to captain status, at many carriers, is a decade-long process.”

His mother, Cindy Gustin, recalls, “It was love at first flight.” She continues, “When Patrick was 16, he flew a demonstration instruction flight. When he stepped out of the cockpit and onto the tarmac he looked at his father. Patrick was grinning from ear-to-ear. My reaction was, ‘uh oh, I think we're in trouble! He's gonna want to fly!’ And fly he did.”

Farewell Facebook Communique: On Captain Gustin’s Facebook page, a colleague blogged this air-traffic style farewell communique:

Pilot: “Ft. Lauderdale Tower, Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo requests change in IFR Flight Plan ?"

Tower: “Go ahead Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo.”

Pilot: “Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo requests new destination. Flight to Heaven! Time enroute: indefinite.”

Tower: “Roger Medevac 111 Whisky Bravo is cleared to Heaven with an unrestricted and unlimited climb.”

Pilot: “Medevac 111 Whiskey Bravo is rolling and on the go. Thanks for all your help over the years. Until we meet again… Farewell My Friends.”

REVA Air Ambulance - Flyover Salute - The company says it is organizing a jet aircraft flyover salute for some time after the funeral. The company anticipates resuming normal flight operations on Wednesday.