The Volunteer Pilot Reflects on His First Year Since Helen
It’s been a year since Hurricane Helen hit, disrupting communication and cutting off vital services like electricity and water in parts of western North Carolina. In those early days, small aircraft and helicopters became crucial for rescue efforts and delivering donations.
Time has passed, but memories remain fresh for those impacted. Many in the mountains were stranded without cell service, trying to figure out what to do next as washed-out roads isolated them.
Al Mattress, a helicopter pilot with Total Flight Solutions, recalls waking up to a call from a client asking about checking on families affected by the storm. He took off as quickly as he could, becoming one of the first to witness the aftermath.
“I saw the water still rising as I arrived right after the storm passed,” Mattress said during an interview. The devastation was far worse than anyone anticipated. Many roads were blocked, complicating rescue missions.
Meanwhile, another pilot, Tim Grant from Total Flight Solutions, coordinated dozens of pilots in the subsequent weeks. Their focus shifted from rescue to delivering supplies. With support from the United Cajun Navy, they mobilized every helicopter available to assist people in need.
Mattress shared his feelings about his rescues. “They know their phones don’t work, just until the battery dies,” he described. “They have no idea help is coming.” Pilots worked to find phone signal towers and communicate their locations to ensure the stranded were saved.
In the first days following Helen, Grant’s team rescued 25 people on day one and around 30 on day two. “We’ve conducted over 100 missions just delivering food and essentials,” he noted.
Grant’s team put in long hours, operating from sunrise to sunset. He shared a particularly haunting story of a pilot who spotted arms sticking out from the debris left by landslides during one of their rescue missions.
Locally, another group of pilots worked tirelessly to supply donations to areas like Austin Lane, South Carolina, collaborating through platforms like the Carolina Aviators Network. They utilized 1960s Baron Twin Engine planes to transport goods.
Volunteers delivered crucial supplies: diapers for newborns, canned food for those with dietary restrictions, and even insulin. Lane found it remarkable how quickly volunteers loaded planes at local airports, making it easier to deliver multiple loads daily.
Reflecting on the experience, Grant emphasized the importance of community spirit. “The people, their willingness to help, and the helicopters were truly the highlights of this effort,” he said.
With ongoing support from the North Carolina National Guard and local volunteers, roads gradually cleared, allowing aid organizations to access the hardest-hit areas. The NCNG reported a significant number of air rescues, including complex ones, where helicopters retrieved people from perilous locations.
Additionally, they rescued pets, distributed food pallets, and transported an impressive amount of cargo. It’s a testament to the collective effort in facing such a catastrophic event.
