Volunteer Owner-Pilots Needed for Helene Relief

[Credit: Screenshot/Airdrop]

A Texas-based charity is harnessing the power of GA to deliver aid to communities in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina cut off by damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

Operation Airdrop has established a base at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (KJQF) in North Carolina and is inviting owner-pilots to volunteer to operate supply flights to the storm-ravaged area. Pilots without their own aircraft and ground volunteers are also welcome to apply.

Most roads remain impassable and whole towns have been virtually obliterated by the massive storm.

"Flight operations will begin on Monday, September 30, 2024," the group said in a Facebook post. "We’re calling on volunteer pilots to get ready to deploy! Multiple destinations are set, with Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) being our largest, and other locations (with and without airport access) that are in need."

Volunteers will get a 75-cent-a-gallon discount on fuel at the Concord FBO. Details for pilot participation can be found on the organization's website.

Ryan Spellman, Director of Operations at Airdrop, Discusses Helene Efforts:

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

Asheville Hurricane Helene North Carolina Operation Airdrop

Russ NilesAuthor

Russ Niles has been a journalist for 40 years, a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb in 2003. When he’s not writing about airplanes he and his wife Marni run a small winery in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.