By Angela Satterlee
What if an airplane could become the first step toward freedom?
For survivors of human trafficking, transportation is often one of the biggest barriers to escaping dangerous situations. That’s where the Freedom Aviation Network (FAN) steps in. The nonprofit organization connects volunteer pilots with advocates and survivors, providing safe, rapid, and compassionate air transportation to help people reach safety, reunite with family, attend court appointments, and begin rebuilding their lives.
Founded in 2022 by Stephanie Lamar and Jared Miller and based in Nashville, Tennessee, FAN has quickly built a nationwide network of volunteer pilots and supporters.
Representing the organization at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year are volunteers Paula Swift and Debbie Owen, who will speak Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the WomenVenture Center. This marks FAN’s third year at AirVenture, where they hope to recruit volunteer pilots while raising awareness about both human trafficking and the many ways people can support the organization.
“There are so many avenues for volunteering,” Debbie explained. “A lot of people think they can only come in as one thing, but there are different levels of volunteering. Our mission is recruiting pilots to help with transports, but we’re also looking for advocates who travel with our VIPs and people who simply want to help spread the word.”
In order to become a volunteer pilot, all that is needed is a private pilot certificate with 250 hours of total flight time and access to an aircraft.
Transportation is often the greatest obstacle for survivors trying to leave trafficking situations. Cars and buses can be followed or tracked by traffickers, while aircraft allow survivors to be moved hundreds of miles away quickly and safely.
“They tend to go back on average six or seven times before they leave completely,” Debbie said. “Getting them as far away as quickly as possible helps reduce that return rate.”
FAN refers to the survivors they transport as “VIPs,” short for “very important package.” The name reminds pilots that every mission is critical while also protecting each survivor’s identity.
Volunteer pilots focus solely on flying the aircraft while trained advocates provide trauma-informed care throughout the journey. That support is especially important because some survivors were trafficked by air and may struggle with getting back into an aircraft.
FAN’s support doesn’t end after one flight. The organization continues working with survivors for up to two years, providing transportation to court hearings, family reunifications, counseling, and other services that help them stay on the path toward a new life.
For Debbie, the mission is deeply personal, making every volunteer hour worthwhile.
“We’re doing this for the one person that we can bring to safety, for the one that we can end up helping get back on track and live a good life,” Debbie said. “We can’t save them all, but we can save the one, which I think is really important.”
Human trafficking is often thought of as something that happens somewhere else, but Debbie said that’s far from reality.
“Human trafficking is out there. And I think being aware is part of the battle,” Debbie said. “More awareness brings more hope.”
In addition to volunteer pilots, FAN relies on advocates, event volunteers, and supporters who assemble care packages for survivors. Every role contributes to helping someone take the next step toward safety.
FAN wouldn’t be able to help as many VIPs as they have without the support from their main sponsors Signature Aviation, Air Care Alliance, R3 Aviation Services, Institute for Survivor Care, and Blue Lightning Initiative.
Visitors can learn more about Freedom Aviation Network and hear directly from a survivor who has flown with FAN during Saturday’s presentation at the WomenVenture Center.