398 9/11 from the Air: NYPD Chief Pilot Ken Solosky Remembers + GA News

Max Trescott talks with Ken Solosky, the NYPD’s Chief Pilot on 9/11, about his experiences managing helicopter operations on one of the most catastrophic days in American history. Though Ken wasn’t flying at the moment of the attacks, he was on the ground coordinating the NYPD’s aviation response. He recounts how what began as a seemingly routine aircraft accident quickly escalated into a full-blown national emergency. The aviation unit scrambled a standard rescue package—Bell 412s with divers and crew chiefs, and patrol helicopters—only to face total communication breakdowns. Cell service and landlines failed, radio channels were overloaded, and misinformation, including reports of enemy fighter jets, created unprecedented confusion.
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Ken recalls the surreal moment of watching the second plane hit the South Tower live on TV and initially being unable to process the reality. He explains why rooftop rescues weren’t feasible—smoke obscured visibility, doors were locked or inaccessible, and the risk of engine flameout in the intense heat made the mission too dangerous. Still, he and his team documented the scene extensively and continued daily aerial photography for nearly a year afterward. Ken describes how foreign and domestic aviation units offered immediate support, with helicopters arriving from other cities—even LAPD offering to send their fleet. Yet due to lack of coordination, many of these aircraft were unknown to NYPD at the time and went unused in the response. He speaks candidly about the emotional toll, having lost 10 close friends among the 23 NYPD officers killed, and how that pain continues with the rise in 9/11-related cancer deaths among first responders. Post-9/11, Ken was instrumental in implementing a “96-hour standalone” plan for the NYPD, designed to maintain operations without headquarters support. Staffing schedules were restructured to ensure long-term response capacity. He shares how the aviation unit has evolved over the years—growing from six helicopters to a modern fleet including Bell 429s, a Bell 407 trainer, and a fixed-wing Caravan used for radiation scanning of incoming ships to New York Harbor. Ken also offers a detailed look at what a typical day is like for an NYPD pilot—flying patrol missions, conducting surveillance, responding to foot and vehicle pursuits, and supporting SWAT teams. He explains how the aircraft are equipped with cutting-edge tools like high-def thermal imagers, tactical radios, moving maps, and address-targeting cameras that can zoom in on a license plate from miles away. These tools enable precise coordination with ground teams and real-time intelligence, greatly improving safety and effectiveness. The conversation also delves into pilot recruitment and training, safety management system (SMS) implementation, and Ken’s personal advice for those interested in joining a law enforcement aviation unit. He emphasizes that character and work ethic matter just as much as flight hours. In lighter moments, Ken shares stories of flying Barbara Bush to West Point when Marine One had mechanical issues, and being told by Yankees legend Derek Jeter that flying for the NYPD was cooler than being the Yankees’ shortstop. He also describes dramatic rescues, like locating a man stranded on a sandbar after his friend swam off—and later finding that friend safe on another island. Ken currently flies both a Bell 407 and an Augusta 109 for corporate clients and continues to teach and speak for the FAA and EAA. His legacy and continued contribution to aviation safety and training are evident throughout the episode. The interview is both a sobering reflection on 9/11 and a celebration of how aviation supports public safety in today’s complex world. If you’re getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let’s you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1299 NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949 Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu 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. News Stories Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott’s G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast Max’s FLYING column: Deadly Doors: Distractions Still Posing Threats to Pilots Ken Solosky’s “Solo Sky” YouTube Channel 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 Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium “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.

395 NYPD Pilot Ken Solosky on 9/11 — Listen Now on the Rotary Wing Show

Ken Solosky was the NYPD’s Chief Pilot on 9/11, responsible for coordinating helicopter operations during the most devastating day in modern American history. In this short teaser, you’ll hear a preview of our in-depth interview with Ken, including why rooftop rescues at the World Trade Center weren’t attempted and how the team coped with confusion, misinformation, and tragic loss. The full episode is available now on our new podcast: Rotary Wing Show. Listen and subscribe in your favorite podcast app, by clicking on the link above, and then click the Follow button in the upper right. Or, you can get to the show directly if you’re using the Apple Podcast app or the Spotify app. If you enjoy this show, please use the Share button in your app, and share the episode with a friend. Thank you so much for listening, and I’ll talk with you again soon.
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If you’re getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let’s you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1299 NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949 Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu 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 Buy Max Trescott’s G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast 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 Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium “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.

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
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138 Wake Turbulence Accidents and What to Do to Avoid Them + GA News

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138 Wake Turbulence Accidents and What to Do to Avoid Them + GA News

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Summary
138 Max talks about wake turbulence accidents, what causes wake turbulence, and how to avoid it. He also talks about a recent encounter that he had with wake turbulence while flying a Cirrus Vision Jet.

News Stories

Mentioned in the Show
Image Credit: Wake Turbulence from NASA.gov
Sebastian Schuon’s Fun Flying Destination in Italy
AIM Section 3 – Wake Turbulence
AC 90-23 Advisory Circular – Wake Turbulence
LSAs log growth in 2019
Pilot looking at iPad hits another plane on the taxiway
Transponder Buyer’s Guide
FAA Emergency AD Grounds Cirrus Jet Fleet

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