GA Comes To The Rescue... As Usual

All over the country, GA pilots used to being maligned as terrorist threats are organizing to support their fellow citizens in a time of desperate need. Despite the bad rap that GA often gets in the media and from ignorant politicians interested in a cheap sound bite, there has been no hesitation among hundreds of pilots who are looking to leverage their mobility and skills in support of people in need.

One of the first and (so far) most active responses comes from the Cirrus Owner's and Pilot's Association, who are not only organizing themselves on the COPA web site but will shortly be producing an additional website whereby other GA pilots and interested parties can support these efforts with help and donations.

Already, a number of GA pilots and airplanes are flocking to the Northern edge of the embattled Gulf Coast and working hard to transport survivors to their families' homes away from the disaster area and bring in supplies and aid from safe zones. ANN's Jim Campbell, flying an R-44 helo (which is proving to be an impressive load-hauler, even in the oppressive heat) in outlying disaster areas (outside the scope of the TFRs), notes that there are "...dozens of GA birds throughout the Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana area already being employed aggressively to help others. There is a lack of organization to the proceedings, for the moment, but once a need is identified, pilots are quickly coming to help wherever they may be needed and where they can be authorized to safely operate. GA can be proud of the way its flyers have mobilized in the last two days."

Campbell adds that those planning to work in support of the relief effort need to "make sure that they are operating in an authorized capacity and not creating more difficulty by being places where they can only get in the way," if they don't have a clear mission AND authorization.

Be aware that many of the areas affected are covered by TFRs and that violations of this airspace are NOT being treated kindly. Calls to Angel Flight, FEMA, and the American Red Cross are recommended as a first line of inquiry for those who may be be able to offer flying support.

COPA's Mike Radomsky wrote ANN to report that, "We have a thread running on our Member Discussion forum right now in which our members are offering relief flights to anyone in the Katrina-affected areas. I'd be most appreciative if you'd publicize this - anyone who needs help can contact me by phone at (702) 810-8128, 7x24 - it's my cell phone, and it's off when I sleep, but voice mail is always awake. Or email me at mradomsky@cirruspilots.org .
 
COPA members count ourselves as very lucky in very many ways - a high proportion of the membership flies for Angel Flight and other similar organizations. We're eager to help out wherever we can."

Other aviation entities assisting in the relief effort are urged to forward their info to ANN so that we can disseminate your needs to the Aero-News community by emailing the publisher. If you can think of any other ways that we can be of help, feel free to clue us in... 

FMI: www.cirruspilots.org, www.redcross.org, www.fema.gov, www.angelflightamerica.org