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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