Story ID: 
AeroBridge Activates for Hurricane Helene Rescues
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Volunteer disaster relief organizations need pilots and aircraft to help move supplies
Word Count: 462
The business and general aviation community mobilized in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton as widespread devastation crippled communities from Florida up through Tennessee. Shortly after Helene, disaster relief volunteer organization AeroBridge, as well as NBAA’s complementary Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database, both activated, coordinating support and enabling business and general aviation operations to find a path to volunteer their help.
They joined the myriad of relief organizations jumping into the fray. Among other volunteer organizations helping with rescue and supply efforts is Operation Airdrop, which launched Operation Helene to provide disaster relief as people remained stranded in small mountain villages.
Commenters on the AeroBridge Facebook page had stressed how dire the situation had become, reporting stories of stranded families, a mother about ready to give birth, and food supplies quickly running out.
NBAA underscored the important role operators have played. “Business aircraft have long played an essential role in providing relief for people and communities in need in times of crisis,” noted Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president of safety, security, sustainability, and international operations. “They are often able to turn roadways into runways, or hillsides into heliports, in order to reach isolated locations." He added that NBAA’s HERO database provides access to those who want to lend a helping hand with aircraft and other assets.
The outpouring was so strong that the FAA had reported a 300% increase in air traffic over the heavily impacted western part of North Carolina, with private aircraft delivering supplies along with the state’s National Guard and military search-and-rescue.
As a result, the North Carolina Division of Aviation—in coordination with federal and state agencies such as FEMA, the FAA, the North Carolina National Guard, and the Department of Defense—implemented several safety strategies such as prior permission request lines established at airports for pilot to schedule landing, unloading, and aircraft parking, thus reducing airport congestion and risk of incidents. Designated flight routes and short-duration TFRs and temporary control towers were established.
“Helene has already devastated so much; we want every pilot, aircraft, and airport staff member to go home safely every night of the response,” said Becca Gallas, director of the aviation division within North Carolina's Department of Transportation. “Our military and civilian aviation partners are providing vital services for North Carolinians cut off from other access.”
NBAA and Vertical Aviation International, meanwhile, shared stories of the many relief efforts. As for airports, while the ones in Florida quickly opened but were still recovering after Helene, many had to shut down and prepare once more in the wake of Milton. Airports affected stretched from Tampa to West Palm Beach, across the state.
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