AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2019 - 44

PILOT BRIEFING
NEWS

AN AIRPLANE destroyed by Hurricane

Dorian at Grand Bahama International
Airport (below). Relief efforts are
underway (bottom).

GA rallies to help in the Bahamas
Pilots put passion into Dorian recovery

44 | AOPA PILOT November 2019

"The number one thing you can do right now is to start donating
to relief groups that are going to be in the area" to fuel their efforts
to rebuild. He added that rebuilding would be "a complicated relief
effort" because of the number of boats, aircraft, military traffic,
and two governments involved in the process. He acknowledged
there would likely be frustration as efforts ramp up and asked for
patience. "We are going to try and work this thing through as best
as we can and as fast as we can."
AOPA has a long history of working with the Bahamian government and its people; AOPA members operate thousands of
airplanes and helicopters in the area and many have visited the
Bahamas in better times and forged lifelong friendships there.
Tom Haines, senior vice president of AOPA Media and Outreach,
who was in Nassau after the storm, said the devastation in the
Bahamas was "much worse than when we helped in 2017" when
GA aircraft caravans brought much-needed supplies to Florida and
the Caribbean islands after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
"One of the best ways to help is for GA
pilots to donate to relief organizations that
are already in the area, that are skilled in
these types of recovery efforts," Haines said.
"It's going to be a massive effort" to rebuild
after nearly "total devastation on some of the
islands."
HOW TO HELP
aopa.org/pilot/dorianrelief

RAMON ESPINOSA AP IMAGES

ON SEPTEMBER 1, Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas,
turning portions of the island paradise into a disaster zone. The
hurricane caused nearly "total destruction" to two islands before
bearing down on the United States. GA pilots were quick to respond
with offers to deliver supplies and to assist recovery efforts, but
officials suggested exercising caution to make sure recovery efforts
are safe and orderly.
The Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands bore the brunt of the
storm's wrath as it stalled above them and pummeled the islands
for more than 36 hours with 185-mph winds. AOPA's senior leaders traveled to Florida to coordinate with Bahamian officials soon
after the storm moved north, and various general aviation organizations began flying in food, water, and other critically needed
items almost as soon as weather conditions allowed. However,
the combination of devastated infrastructure and the limited
capacity to service aircraft on the ground reinforced AOPA's
messaging to pilots: Don't go; but donate to relief organizations
instead.
By September 8, the airports and airspace
around Grand Bahama Island and the Abaco
Islands were so congested with well-meaning
relief flights that aviation authorities reached
out to AOPA pleading for pilots to follow
procedures.
"General aviation is poised to do the best
it can to help Bahamians recover from this
disaster," said AOPA President Mark Baker.

http://www.aopa.org/pilot/dorianrelief

AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2019