Donations Best At This Point; "Don't Freelance"

In the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which dealt a one-two punch to the Gulf Coast area, general aviation has played a major role in the relief efforts. Many pilots may be wondering how they can help... and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has some thoughts about that.

"Our best advice -- just as it was after Katrina and Rita, or any natural disaster -- is, 'Don't freelance,'" said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "No matter how good your intentions, the situation is too confused for pilots to just load up and head to the affected areas."

AOPA notes that pilots who wish to help can visit FEMA's Web site for information about making donations to the relief effort.

Hurricane Ike struck overnight September 12 as the tide was rising, inundating Galveston Island and flooding Houston. More than three-and-a-half million people live in the impact zone, and the storm resulted in widespread damage... including wrecked hangars and planes at area airports.

The hardest hit airport in the area appears to be Scholes International (GLS), on Galveston Island. AOPA says that while the airport's control tower, runway, and taxiways appear to be OK, Scholes' terminal building was flooded and is "in bad shape." Furthermore, most of the airport's hangars were destroyed... and in addition to the airport's lighting system being out, there's currently no fuel on the field.

The hurricane also hit parts of Louisiana that are still cleaning up after Hurricane Gustav struck the area on September 2.

Individual GA pilots should not try to fly into the area because they could inadvertently interfere with relief temporary flight restrictions.

AOPA advises pilots -- and, really, anyone wishing to help -- that when it comes to any natural disaster, relief agencies say unless you're already registered with them as a relief worker, the best thing you can do is donate money. That way relief workers on site have the ability to purchase what's really needed.

Such purchases have the added benefit of helping the local economy recover, AOPA notes.

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.fema.gov