Conducts Aerial Surveys Of Hurricane Damage In Virginia

When a request came out for someone to fly an aerial survey of the town of Saxis on the Eastern Shore of Virginia after Hurricane Sandy, the newly formed Virginia Volunteer Pilots Group (VVPG) put out a notice to their members and three of them immediately responded to the call. Pilots for Christ, Virginia Chapter; Mercy Medical Airlift; and Pilots N Paws all volunteered for the mission.

On the morning of October 31st, a pilot and observer from Pilots for Christ, Virginia Chapter, took off in their personal airplane from Manassas Regional Airport and flew a survey of the Saxis area, taking photographs of the community. Later that day, another team from Mercy Medical Airlift left Leesburg Executive Airport and flew a second mission to the same area.

Members of the VVPG are ready to assist the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) in times of crisis, such as with Hurricane Sandy, and the group is awaiting future calls requesting their services. It is anticipated that they may soon be transporting individuals who will work on reconstruction projects needed on Tangier Island which is only accessible by boat or aircraft.

The Virginia Volunteer Pilots Group (VVPG) was formed in 2012 to allow general aviation pilots who wish to volunteer their aircraft and/or piloting skills during times of emergency to do so effectively. Individual volunteer pilots are encouraged to join nonprofit aviation organizations that are members of the Virginia Volunteer Pilots Group in order to participate in the program and assist their fellow citizens.

The Virginia Department of Aviation continually strives to become the standard of excellence among state aviation agencies through its cultivation of an advanced aviation system that is safe, secure and provides for economic development; its promotion of aviation education and awareness; and by providing flight services for Commonwealth leadership and state agencies.      

FMI: www.doav.virginia.gov