Restrictions Continue While Relief Efforts Are Ongoing

By Tom Woodward

As hurricane Harvey pulls away from Texas to the northeast, first responders are still plucking people from the rooftops in neighborhoods where the water level has risen more than two stories in some places, and has yet begun to recede. The Cajun Navy, our Bayou Brothers from the south coast of Louisiana have brought many vessel to support in the effort.

Waiting in the wings is the "Lonestar Airforce", a group of general aviation pilots based throughout Texas who are ready to fly in aid and fly our people for the mission. The biggest challenge is the coordination of the effort. How do you match up the people who are generously supply goods, of which there has been a massive outpouring of charity from fellow Texans, surrounding states and around the nation, and the aircraft to transport the supplies to a collection site that is equipped to handle the influx?

Several Facebook page have sprung up with good intentions but before you can flying into one of the largest TFRs in the country you need special permission, in the form of a dedicated squawk code. This code can be obtained from the FAA but you need to have a controlling agency that you are assisting.

Wednesday, I spend eight hours flying both people and supplies to one of the few open outlying airports in the Houston area. The squawk code I obtained from the FAA, in support and in conjunction with the Montgomery County Sheriff's office, allowed me to fly in the TFR for the whole day. Each day you are required to obtain a new code.  Stay informed as this could change daily and quickly.

If you would like to fly in supplies or fly people out you need to do some planning. Just don’t jump in your plane with several bags of Teddy Bears and head for the nearest open airport. There are specific items that are needed, listed on this website. The website will allow you to sign up and gives you guidance on what you should bring. You can also go to this Facebook page for more information.

For instance, if you have clothes to donate just don’t place them in a garbage bag. The collection points do not have the personnel to sort things out. You can put them in a garbage bag but sort them into men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and tag them. Other items are also needed and the above website will give you guidance.

The objective is to bring needed items but not to overwhelm those doing the collection.

If you can carry passengers check with Mike Barksdale at 936-689-1689. He is coordinating the effort at the Conroe Airport (KCXO) to move those who have lost their homes to North Texas and other areas.

(Texas resident Tom Woodward is a retired airline pilot and frequent Aero-News contributor)

FMI: www.aviatorshelpingsouthtexas.com