posted January 14, 2026

When Flight Paramedic Daniel Sanders joined the AirLife 12 fixed wing team in Pensacola, FL, he never imagined he’d one day fly his own father. However, on July 18, 2025, 70-year-old Kenneth Sanders needed to be transported from the Panama City, Florida HCA hospital to Orlando Regional Medical Center due to complications from a rare form of genetic pancreatitis. With severe abdominal pain, weakness, and the need for a feeding tube to be placed, doctors didn’t think Sanders would tolerate the six-hour drive, so they called AirLife 12 for a one-and-a-half-hour plane flight to Orlando.

“I always talked to my dad about my job, but I don’t think he truly understood all the logistics and how it comes together until he saw it as a patient,” said Daniel Sanders, who helped arrange the flight and was onboard as a third rider.

It was the first time Kenneth Sanders had been in a plane since 1979, when a flight through severe turbulence kept him firmly on the ground for the next 46 years.

“I wasn’t going to fly without Daniel, but it was a good experience,” said Kenneth Sanders. “It was a smoother flight and a smoother landing than I expected. I enjoyed looking out the window, and it gave me comfort to have Dan on the flight with me.”

Fixed wing air medical planes are an important part of the Air Methods fleet. They are able to fly longer distances and in a wider variety of weather conditions than our helicopters. They can frequently carry more weight, allowing for more or larger pieces of medical equipment, as well as family members, to be on board. Air Methods has both a fixed wing and a rotor wing aircraft based in Pensacola, highlighting the value of both assets.

While admitted to Orlando Regional Medical Center for 15 days, Kenneth Sanders was able to see an advanced gastroenterologist, have a feeding tube placed, and receive more comprehensive pain management, none of which were available in Panama City.

“Although it is a genetic condition, his pancreatitis did not appear until three years ago. However, it is likely to cause issues again in the future,” said Daniel Sanders. “Because this flight went so smoothly, I am thankful that he is willing to be transported by the fixed wing again if he ever needs it.”