352 R44 Helicopter Pilot Stories: Delivering Supplies After Hurricane Helene
Aviation News Talk podcast
Glass Cockpit Publishing
4.8 • 730 Ratings
🗓️ 10 October 2024
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Max talks with John Kinard of AeroLuxe Aviation, based in Nashville, which operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including R44 and R22 helicopters. Following Hurricane Helene, the company became involved in relief efforts after seeing the devastation in North Carolina. John contacted the Ashville, NC EOC, and was told that help wasn’t needed. Nonetheless, AeroLux decided to fly three R44 helicopters to the disaster area to see how them might assist.
The helicopters operated out of a base at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Asheville, which had been converted into a command center. Immediately after arriving, the team began delivering supplies to isolated communities cut off by flooding and landslides. They navigated challenging mountainous terrain, landing directly in confined areas to deliver food, water, and medical supplies. The team also saw firsthand the extensive damage, including multimillion-dollar homes washed away by floods.
Despite hot, difficult conditions, AeroLuxe flew daily missions, carrying food and supplies. The company spent five days flying relief missions, and John emphasized the satisfaction of helping people in need. AeroLuxe is already looking at ways they may help this week with Hurricane Milton in Florida.
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Mentioned on the Show
AeroLuxe Aviation
Operation Airdrop Hurricane Helene Relief
Operation Airdrop Facebook Page
AERObridge website
AERObridge Facebook Page
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North Carolina Airports Association
NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator database
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello and welcome to Aviation News Talk. Today we have a newsmaker's edition in which we talk about people who are making the news. |
| 0:07.4 | Volunteer helicopter pilots played a large role in the disaster relief efforts in North Carolina last week. |
| 0:12.9 | One flight school and tour company, Arrow Lux Aviation of Nashville, Tennessee, brought three of their Robinson R44 helicopters to North Carolina, where they spent |
| 0:22.4 | five days moving supplies into small towns that were cut off from the outside world. |
| 0:27.7 | Today you'll hear their story. |
| 0:29.7 | And as we record this, Hurricane Milton is headed for Western Florida. |
| 0:33.8 | We don't yet know what if any roles there may be for general aviation pilots after the storm, |
| 0:38.9 | but organizations such as NBAA, Operation AirDrop, and Arrowbridge are registering pilots who may be |
| 0:46.5 | in a position to help should the need arise. |
| 0:49.0 | So I encourage you to check out their websites and let them know if you might be able to help. |
| 0:53.7 | Hello again and welcome to Aviation News Talk, where we talk in general aviation. |
| 0:57.6 | My name is Max Truscott. |
| 0:58.7 | I've been flying for 50 years on the author of several books in the 2008 National Flight |
| 1:02.9 | Instructor of the Year, and my mission is to help you become the safest possible pilot. |
| 1:07.6 | Last week in episode 351, we heard from seven fixed-wing pilots who flew relief missions |
| 1:13.8 | into North Carolina. So if you didn't hear that episode, you may want to check it out at |
| 1:17.6 | AviationNewstalk.com slash 351. And if you're new to the show, take a moment and touch either |
| 1:23.5 | the subscribe key or if you're using Spotify or the Apple podcast app, the follow key, so that |
| 1:29.2 | next week's episode is downloaded for free. And of course, this is a listener-supported show. |
| 1:33.9 | If you're interested in helping to support our work here, just go out to our support page at |
| 1:37.7 | AviationNewsdot.com slash support. And when you make a donation, I'll read your name on the show. |
| 1:43.6 | And now let me tell you a little about John Kynard. |
... |
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