352 R44 Helicopter Pilot Stories: Delivering Supplies After Hurricane Helene

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 episode focuses on AeroLux Aviation’s significant involvement in hurricane relief efforts following Hurricane Helene, which caused severe damage across parts of the southeastern U.S., particularly in North Carolina. The AeroLux team mobilized quickly, responding to the devastation after a friend suggested they might be able to help. Initially, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Asheville told them they didn’t need assistance, but the AeroLux team decided to go anyway, leading to the discovery of widespread devastation and the need for immediate relief.

Upon arriving in Asheville, the AeroLux team joined forces with a man named Adam Smith, who was using a flooded Harley Davidson dealership as a makeshift command center for relief efforts. AeroLux brought three helicopters (R44s) and two trucks loaded with supplies, including fuel tanks and equipment usually used for their helicopter tours. The trucks faced a grueling 12- to 14-hour drive to the site due to damaged roads, but the helicopters completed the flight in just under three hours.

The team’s primary mission was to deliver essential supplies to isolated and devastated communities, which were cut off by washed-out roads and landslides. They encountered houses completely washed away and communities rendered uninhabitable, including the town of Bat Cave and the Lake Lure area. The devastation included multimillion-dollar homes reduced to rubble and landslides that claimed entire neighborhoods. The most chilling part of the mission was seeing bodies trapped in debris and washed into the lake.

Each day brought logistical challenges as well as increasingly organized efforts. On the first day, volunteers were sleeping in mud, but within a couple of days, supplies and relief efforts ramped up dramatically, with trucks bringing pallets of food and water. At the Harley Davidson command center, helicopters from various civilian companies, including Blackhawks and Bells, arrived to assist. AeroLux’s R44 helicopters played a crucial role in delivering around 400 pounds of supplies per flight, including food, water, medical necessities like oxygen and insulin, and specific requests such as diapers for babies.

Flying the relief missions posed several challenges for the AeroLux team. The missions involved “confined area” operations—landing and taking off in tight, often precarious spots, such as yards and fields, rather than airports. Flying over mountains and through valleys, they had to be mindful of maximum power limits, weather conditions, and the complex terrain. The temperature and altitude also added strain on the aircraft, particularly when climbing over mountains with heavy loads.

In addition to the technical flying challenges, there were emotional and human challenges. The team encountered countless people who had lost everything, often pointing to rivers where their homes once stood. Entire communities were cut off from the rest of the world, with no communication or way to leave.

One notable contribution was the deployment of Starlink units, provided by Elon Musk, which AeroLux delivered to local fire departments and police stations. This reestablished communication lines for the isolated communities, allowing them to request urgent supplies or assistance. Despite the devastation, the resilience and determination of the people involved in the relief efforts were palpable.

The episode concludes with reflections on the impact of AeroLux’s efforts. For a company that had never previously engaged in relief work, the response from employees was immediate and voluntary, with everyone eager to contribute. The relief missions ran for five and a half days, with each aircraft flying nearly 40 hours during that time. Now back in Nashville, AeroLux is working to catch up on maintenance, with aircraft needing significant repairs and checks after the intensive use.

In closing, John encouraged other pilots to volunteer in similar efforts if they have the experience and opportunity, describing it as a highly rewarding and necessary service, especially in times of crisis. The experience left a lasting impression on everyone involved, demonstrating the power of the aviation community to respond to natural disasters and help those in need.

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Mentioned on the Show
AeroLuxe Aviation
Operation Airdrop Hurricane Helene Relief
Operation Airdrop Facebook Page
AERObridge website
AERObridge Facebook Page
Hope on Short Final
North Carolina Airports Association
NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator database
GoCajunNavy.org
Buy Max Trescott’s G1000 Book Call 800-247-6553
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351 Pilots to the Rescue: Your Stories of Hurricane Helene Relief Missions

Max talks about the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene and the massive relief efforts mobilized in response, particularly by the general aviation community. With over 200 fatalities reported, Helene brought devastating floods and unprecedented rainfall to the Southeastern United States, especially North Carolina. The hurricane dumped a staggering 42 trillion gallons of rain, equivalent to the flow of Niagara Falls for almost two years, submerging areas like Hendersonville, Spruce Pine, and Busick under multiple feet of water.

The podcast praises the role of helicopters in delivering supplies and evacuating people from remote, inaccessible locations.

Photo by Aerobridge.org

Various organizations, including the National Guard, Coast Guard, and multiple state and federal agencies, coordinated relief efforts. General aviation pilots played a crucial role, flying hundreds of missions to transport supplies. However, Max emphasizes that pilots should work with recognized relief organizations to ensure the supplies reach their intended destinations effectively. He also notes the importance of obtaining prior permission, especially at Asheville Regional Airport, which has restricted GA flights.

Photo by Eric Hymes of Hopeonshortfinal.org

The episode then transitions to personal stories from listeners involved in the relief efforts. Andrew Doorey, flying a Cirrus SR22, shares his experiences delivering water and supplies to isolated areas. Mason Davis recounts his flights in a SuperVan, describing the camaraderie among the aviation community as they rallied to provide relief. Eric Hymes talks about his nonprofit’s efforts, underscoring the unprecedented level of general aviation involvement in disaster response.

Photo by Eric Hymes of Hopeonshortfinal.org

Further contributions are shared by listeners like Steve Bloom, who flew a Pilatus PC-12 for relief missions, and Aaron Benjamin, a lawyer who took part in missions transporting supplies into North Carolina. Charley Valera of AeroBridge provides an update on his organization’s significant operations, flying over 150 missions and delivering tens of thousands of pounds of supplies in just a few days.

Photo by Mason Davis of Skydive Carolina

The episode concludes with a recording from MacKenzie Mitchell, the Director of Communications for Operation Airdrop. She gives a detailed update on the ongoing needs and evolving nature of the mission. She notes that while aerial drops have been essential, the transition to ground support is underway as more roads become accessible. She also describes the logistical challenges and overwhelming community response, with thousands of volunteers and aircraft mobilized to meet the massive demand for supplies.

Overall, the episode not only highlights the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene but also showcases the extraordinary efforts and unity within the aviation community as they mobilized to provide critical relief in a time of crisis.

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Send us your feedback or comments via email

If you have a question you’d like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.

Mentioned on the Show
Operation Airdrop Hurricane Helene Relief
Operation Airdrop Facebook Page
AERObridge website
AERObridge Facebook Page
Hope on Short Final
North Carolina Airports Association
NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator database
GoCajunNavy.org
Buy Max Trescott’s G1000 Book Call 800-247-6553
Buy Max Trescott’s G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553

Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk

So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars
Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification

Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourselfYes, we’ll make a couple of dollars if you do.

Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.

Check out Max’s Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/

Social Media
Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook
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“Go Around” song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.