Angel Flight Georgia spokeswoman Jeanine Biron said at least 50 volunteer aircraft are already involved and the need will expand. Interested pilots (who must be IFR-rated) can call 770-452-7958, ext. 0 to register and should have their documentation in front of them. Gail Pinckney, a spokeswoman for Brother’s Keeper, a group operating out of Atlanta Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, said the group is also accepting volunteers who can register online or by phone at 770-939-0396. It’s currently only accepting aircraft with six seats or more. Brother’s Keeper grew (with help from your response to Thursday’s mention in AVweb) from Pinckney’s original plan to match homeless families with vacant vacation homes, mostly in Florida. Biron said volunteer pilots have already flown tons of relief supplies, as well as medical and emergency personnel, into the ravaged areas and brought refugees out. Her group is working directly with the Louisiana Department of Emergency Preparedness, which she said has been impressed by the effectiveness of the volunteer pilot effort. Pinckney told AVweb that her group’s initial flight went out on Saturday night and at least 25 were planned for Sunday. She also said that numerous vacation home owners have offered their properties and refugees brought out on Sunday’s flights will be matched up with suitable accommodation.
…Volunteer Groups Take Flight…
Key Takeaways:
- Two volunteer pilot organizations, Angel Flight Georgia and Brother's Keeper, are actively involved in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
- Angel Flight Georgia is flying tons of relief supplies, medical and emergency personnel into ravaged areas and evacuating refugees, collaborating directly with Louisiana emergency preparedness.
- Brother's Keeper, which originated to match homeless families with vacant vacation homes, is also conducting flights and connecting refugees with offered accommodations.
- Both groups are actively seeking more volunteers, with Angel Flight Georgia needing IFR-rated pilots and Brother's Keeper requesting aircraft with six seats or more.
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