# Pilot Uses Aviation to Connect Women with Reproductive Care
Mike Bonanza pilots a Cessna across state lines, transporting women to states where they can access reproductive healthcare. His nonprofit, Elevated Access, operates legally but faces legal threats from states that have criminalized assisting with abortion.
Bonanza launched the initiative after Roe v. Wade's reversal created a patchwork of abortion restrictions across the U.S. Some states now prosecute people who help women travel for care, even when that assistance is technically legal under federal law. These "aiding and abetting" statutes remain largely untested in court.
The pilot accepts the legal risk. "It's worth the risk," Bonanza states. His organization coordinates flights for women unable to afford or arrange transportation to states with legal abortion access. Elevated Access operates transparently, documenting flights and working within existing federal protections that currently shield interstate travel from state-level prosecution.
The operation reflects a growing movement of healthcare providers, nonprofits, and individuals who view reproductive access as essential healthcare. Airlines have also weighed in, with some major carriers committing to covering travel costs for employees needing out-of-state reproductive procedures.
Legal experts remain cautious about the longevity of federal protections. Constitutional law scholars note that states may attempt to extend their jurisdiction beyond their borders, creating direct confrontation with federal authority. Bonanza's willingness to continue flying despite these uncertainties underscores the determination among activists to maintain access pathways.
The aviation approach addresses a concrete barrier: transportation. Women in rural areas or those with financial constraints often cannot travel interstate without assistance. By removing this obstacle, Elevated Access enables women to exercise rights still protected under federal law, regardless of state-level restrictions.