Public Benefit Flying for NC and Tennessee

[Yetti]

We want to provide you with the latest updates on Operation Airdrop as we mobilize to support the communities affected by the recent events in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Here’s everything you need to know to participate and support our efforts:

Staging Base at Concord Regional Airport Storage Hangar Address: 8605 Aviation BIvd NW, Concord, NC 28027

Our operations base is now set up at Concord Regional Airport, where we will begin accepting flights for donations starting tomorrow, Sunday, September 29th, 2024. We anticipate full-scale flight operations beginning on Monday, September 30th. Volunteer pilots, please start preparing for Monday's launch! Multiple destinations have already been identified, with the largest being Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). We are also working to reach additional locations that have significant need, including remote areas where rotor operations will be essential.

Volunteer Sign Ups!

Fuel Discount for Pilots We are also excited to announce that pilots flying in support of this mission will receive a $0.75 per gallon discount on fuel. Simply inform the FBO that you are flying for Operation Airdrop, and the discount will be applied. We also have secured some hotel rooms in case anyone needs to stay over night.

Civilian Supply Drop-Off Location:

For those delivering donations by ground, we’ve partnered with Miracle Movers, who will be providing moving trucks at our civilian drop-off location at Walmart (just near the airport).

Walmart Near Concord Regional Airport 5825 Thunder Rd NW Concord, NC 28027 Drop-Off Hours: Starting tomorrow, Sunday afternoon.

[Hank]

Anyone gonna meet me in Concord? I was the only single with over 400 lb available useful load the last time--I didn't fill up until after my first delivery. The problem with a short body, though, is always space, not weight.

Operation Airdrop is well organized, everything is boxed and weighed, and stacked on carts with the total weight shown, Just load as much as you can hold.

Remember, the weather is usually great after a hurricane passes through!

[Danb]

I have a few years ago in Virginia, I’d like to make it down..

[Yetti]

2 hours ago, Hank said:

Anyone gonna meet me in Concord? I was the only single with over 400 lb available useful load the last time--I didn't fill up until after my first delivery. The problem with a short body, though, is always space, not weight.

Operation Airdrop is well organized, everything is boxed and weighed, and stacked on carts with the total weight shown, Just load as much as you can hold.

Remember, the weather is usually great after a hurricane passes through!

I am probably going to bring the truck.   I have a boat on Pickwick lake to stage from.  Probably link up with fire departments in Eastern Tennessee.   If you are on the East Coast, the Mooney is a great platform for flying supplies.    Consider removing the passenger seat and redoing the weight and balance by weighing the seat.   Some would say this requires an A/P sign off.   Everyone doing their small part to make it better for everyone.   

[Jeff Uphoff]

I did a bunch of Hurricane Katrina relief flying in my 231 years back--shuttling medical personnel between Virginia and coastal Mississippi.

I live in southwest Virginia--also affected by the hurricane but not nearly so much as NC/TN--and plan to join in once my plane is out of annual, which will HOPEFULLY be around the middle of this week.

--Up.

[eman1200]

my plane is down for maintenance otherwise I'd be hammering out these flights.

[RoundTwo]

I’m leaving RMG tomorrow with a load headed to HKY and then on to JQF to help with distribution. I do appreciate the $0.75 for avgas which brings it down to ONLY $7.00 at JQF. 

[802flyer]

Just arrived at KJQF this evening. Looking forward to seeing some of you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hank]

The weather looks better tomorrow.  I'll dodge the TFRs and be there midmorning, I hope.

[Shadrach]

On 9/29/2024 at 9:21 AM, Hank said:

Anyone gonna meet me in Concord? I was the only single with over 400 lb available useful load the last time--I didn't fill up until after my first delivery. The problem with a short body, though, is always space, not weight.

Operation Airdrop is well organized, everything is boxed and weighed, and stacked on carts with the total weight shown, Just load as much as you can hold.

Remember, the weather is usually great after a hurricane passes through!

I'm likley heading down this weekend.  Contemplating removing the pax seat and evaluating best ways to secure payload stored forward of baggage area.  I will have 600lbs of capacity on the flight down and about 700lbs for local flights, best way to orient and secure the load in the cabin will be a challenge..

[Hank]

The FBO here at KJQF is swamped. I suggest stopping short if you need fuel. I've been waiting 90 minutes for a top off, all loaded and ready to go.

Oops. Let's try this one:

[Shadrach]

36 minutes ago, Hank said:

The FBO here at KJQF is swamped. I suggest stopping short if you need fuel. I've been waiting 90 minutes for a top off, all loaded and ready to go.

Oops. Let's try this one:

I'm only 300nm from JQF.  I've asked for donations for the flight down. Depending on load, I may opt to tanker fuel. I don't have access to the Operation Airdrop  info page yet so I don't have an exact picture of the delivery radius from JQF.  Would you say most flight are within a 150nm radius?  Also, is bottled water a priority item?

[Hank]

They originally said to not bring water, but I'm carrying some.

Try here:  www.operation-airdrop.com

Be patient here in Concord, I've been in lo e for 40 minutes, not to the taxiway yet.

But these people need everything we can take them!

[RoundTwo]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

They originally said to not bring water, but I'm carrying some.

Try here:  www.operation-airdrop.com

Be patient here in Concord, I've been in lo e for 40 minutes, not to the taxiway yet.

But these people need everything we can take them!

Cheese!

[Hank]

It's surprising how much a short body can carry. This is what I unloaded into an F150.

[Shadrach]

2 hours ago, Hank said:

They originally said to not bring water, but I'm carrying some.

Try here:  www.operation-airdrop.com

Be patient here in Concord, I've been in lo e for 40 minutes, not to the taxiway yet.

But these people need everything we can take them!

I have many cases in storage and thought it would be helpful.  My Local contacts are dropping RTD baby formula, bottles and other items.  I was thinking that I'd stay Saturday night.  Are they allowing folks to park in the grass? Thought I might pitch a tent or sleep in the plane.

[Hank]

2 hours ago, Shadrach said:

I have many cases in storage and thought it would be helpful.  My Local contacts are dropping RTD baby formula, bottles and other items.  I was thinking that I'd stay Saturday night.  Are they allowing folks to park in the grass? Thought I might pitch a tent or sleep in the plane.

There's plenty of paved parking. Airdrop said they have some overnight space for pilots, check with them, the camping gear takes up valuable space. 

[icurnmedic]

You guys are doing great work. We were hit hard, but not near as hard as as close as 15 miles north/west. We did get power back today. KMRN and NC27 are also organizing and moving supplies westerly. In case anyone wants to contact them .From the club email yesterday:The NC27 relief effort is very active.  Anyone interested in flying or donating supplies to the Helene affected areas in western NC, please contact John Carlton at 304-543-2726 or Ben Proffit at 828-292-5829.

 

 

[RoundTwo]

16 hours ago, Hank said:

The FBO here at KJQF is swamped. I suggest stopping short if you need fuel. I've been waiting 90 minutes for a top off, all loaded and ready to go.

Oops. Let's try this one:

Dude, you’re such a rookie! Yank out that front seat and load it up with a case or two of water. Getting in is a bit of a challenge, but I’m sure you can do it. 

[Paul Thomas]

Not the best written article but whoa! Some people have zero common sense; a little bit of authority goes right to their head. 

https://fox8.com/news/pilot-flying-helene-rescue-missions-in-nc-ordered-out-threatened-with-arrest/

[N201MKTurbo]

30 minutes ago, Paul Thomas said:

Not the best written article but whoa! Some people have zero common sense; a little bit of authority goes right to their head. 

https://fox8.com/news/pilot-flying-helene-rescue-missions-in-nc-ordered-out-threatened-with-arrest/

When I was a kid I spent a year maintaining the radio system for Maricopa County. Mostly for the sheriff's department. I had a cop ID and carried a cop radio. About half the time I drove a county truck home. I was in every sheriff facility in the county. 95% of the deputies were the most decent hard working people you would ever want to meet. the other 5% OMG. I was afraid to be around them.

That was in 1978. that was a long time ago. I have no idea what goes on there now....

[C.J.]

Surge in Helene relief efforts led to about 30 mid-air close calls over North Carolina in a single day - CBS News

[Shadrach]

20 minutes ago, C.J. said:

Surge in Helene relief efforts led to about 30 mid-air close calls over North Carolina in a single day - CBS News

30 near mid-airs in a single day with no collisions? Seems probable. 

 

[dkkim73]

The incident with the TV video could obviously have been handled better. What a fine man and son. Complexity is the whole point of this kind of operation. Sheesh. Use some discretion, Mr. Incident Commander. 

Sad that this is being politicized by the admin. but there is a way to work with people. 

Super cool to see so many Mooney pilots involved. I made a comment to my wife that Barry Seal would go... 

[hubcap]

My wife and I have volunteered at a number of hurricanes. We were in Panama City before it quit raining and it was the worst we ever worked. I have never experienced anything like this. Local law enforcement and out of town LE have always been amazing and welcoming to us. The level of chaos has to be experienced to believe. The kind of response from this local assistant chief is very uncharacteristic in my experience. I believe he is catching a lot of hate as the result of his actions.