posted April 23, 2026

Spotlighting Rady Children’s Mercy Air Lead Pilot Alex Fincato and His Part in Lifesaving Pediatric, Neonatal Missions

SAN DIEGO, CA — April 23, 2026 — In recognition of World Pilot Day, Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical provider, is highlighting Mercy Air Lead Pilot Alex Fincanto, whose dedication, experience, and commitment to safety help ensure critically ill and injured children receive the specialized care they need.

Based in San Diego, Fincato flies the Airbus H145 helicopter in support of pediatric and neonatal patients, working closely with long-standing partner Rady Children’s Health and its Children’s Hospital Emergency Transport (CHET) Team. Together, they provide hospital-to-hospital air medical transports for premature infants and children who require a higher level of care and for whom ground transport is not feasible due to distance, traffic, or medical condition.

“Alex Fincato sets the standard for safety, leadership, and mission readiness in every operation,” said CHET Manager Shelby Standefer. “During a recent mission involving challenging weather conditions, Alex demonstrated exceptional risk assessment and crew leadership, coordinating seamlessly with all partners and ensuring the mission was executed safely without compromising care. His disciplined approach, attention to detail, and commitment to preparedness inspire confidence across the team and directly contribute to successful outcomes. Alex is a trusted partner and an outstanding pilot, and World Pilot Day is a fitting opportunity to recognize the impact he makes on every mission.”

Unlike traditional air medical operations, pediatric and neonatal transports present unique operational demands. The Rady Children’s aircraft flies with rotating transport teams that include nurses and respiratory therapists from Rady Children’s Health—more than 45 specialized clinicians in total.

“In pediatric transport, pilots are a critical link in ensuring a child reaches the right care at the right time,” said Calicia Patton, Air Methods’ manager of pediatric programs. “Their judgment—evaluating weather, routing, landings, and aircraft performance—creates the safe, stable environment for Rady’s CHET clinical care teams to focus on the patient. When time is critical, a pilot’s decision-making helps make sure every child has the best possible chance to get the specialized care they need.”

Fincato’s missions demand constant focus on safety, coordination, and precision, an attention to detail he has honed throughout his career. With more than three decades in aviation, his experience includes firefighting, utility operations, and search and rescue in Europe before transitioning full-time into emergency medical services.

Born in Italy, he also served as a Lieutenant in the Italian Army’s Alpini, the world’s oldest active mountain infantry unit. Fincato credits that experience with shaping his discipline, teamwork, and leadership, all qualities that continue to guide his decision-making in the cockpit.

“The safety culture at Air Methods is bar none,” Fincato said. “In many places I worked before, safety felt optional or secondary. At Air Methods, it’s the foundation of everything we do. That’s why I’m still here after 19 years.”

On World Pilot Day, Air Methods recognizes pilots like Fincato whose skill, professionalism, and dedication extend far beyond flying, supporting lifesaving partnerships, protecting the highest standards of safety, and helping ensure the most vulnerable patients receive the care they urgently need.