[Peetwo]

Food for Inquiry thought? - Part II

Angel Flight shows Australia (again) the true spirit of this nation, despite the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune. But where is the $700,000 Little Wings in this current water logged muddy hell? It's been suggested that they don't want any mud on the new toys, or rain on their flash uniforms.

Bravo Angel Flight - well done Marj and we all hope Peter can find a dry pair of socks  soon.


But I have thus far arranged:

 

5 aircraft ex Bankstown to Lismore departing 0900 tomorrow ( Lismore airport scheduled to reopen tomorrow), with about 3 tonne of donated food and supplies. I put the call out on FB ( Ri helped here on Friday).  Campsie RSL donated $5,000 so pilot Darrell Campbell currently arranging food drop from IGA Bankstown to Nick’s hangar, on pallets.  We had separately collected about 0.5 tonne.

 

Campsie RSL also donating $40K slide-on camper for a temp home. I will liaise with our Lismore pilot Peter Martin as to a deserving family and Darrell will arrange pantec transport.

 

Also have about 1.5 tonne ready to go Ex YBAF to Lismore, to arrive at same time as the SY convoy. 6 aircraft including Bell 417 ($M5 beautiful machine - payload about 0.7 tonne) who is joining AF after I put out a call for helis in case airports stay closed.   

So should be about a dozen of us arriving Lismore at 1100 NSW time.  I have rallied our great pilot Peter Martin, to organise a fleet of utes to meet us and take the goods to the Lismore Showgrounds where they are today setting up the distribution centre.  I have arranged this delivery through Lismore councillors.

 

As a back story, we have also focused on Peter. He lost his hangar and two aircraft at Lismore, then got his boat and took SES to do rooftop rescues, but then boat got caught in submerged power line and threw them out.  Peter was washed 1 km downstream before being able to grab the exposed rafter of a warehouse roof, and was rescued shortly afterwards.  So now he is coordinating the ground transport fleet for us!

 

Will keep you posted with developments.

 

Cheers M

'M' for magnificent - perhaps? That $400,000 in costs would come in handy about now - SHAME on CASA.

Plus via the AF Facebook page:

Angel Flight Australia
4 March at 16:03

**QUEENSLAND DONATIONS**

**UPDATE. Due to the overwhelming amount of donations received over the weekend the hangar will be open for further donations tomorrow, Monday 7th March, between 9am-12pm. Thank you to the community for your continued support**

Angel Flight is deeply saddened by the devastation that has been caused by the recent floods in QLD and NSW.

We would like to extend our offer of support to areas that are recovering from the damage. We are now able to receive donations to Archerfield Airport (QLD) for distribution to the Casino and Lismore (NSW) regions affected by the floods.

How can you help?

We are currently accepting donations of the following items that are most in need:

- Underwear
- Socks
- Baby formula
- Water
- Milk
- Fruit & Vegetables
- Glen 20
- General food

Drop off location: Hangar 114 at Archerfield Airport (https://goo.gl/maps/5qpJnjirYw6mF7St6). Volunteers will be providing assistance at the Hangar on Saturday 5th March between 9am-12pm and Sunday 6th March between 9am-12pm.

Angel Flight volunteer Pilots are welcome to register their interest in assisting with supply drops. Please contact the Angel Flight office to discuss mail@angelflight.org.au or 07 3620 8300.

Angel Flight appreciates the support of emergency and community services who are working tirelessly to provide assistance and relief for those affected. To the victims who have lost their belongings and homes due to floods, Angel Flight sends you strength and urges you to get in contact if you believe that we may be able to provide assistance in any way.

And courtesy of Prime7 News North Coast:

Flood food drop

Tonnes of donated supplies are arriving in Lismore to be handed out to evacuees, thanks to charity organisation Angel Flight.

Plus from AOPA Oz CEO Ben Morgan:

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Australia shared a post.
13 h  ·

ANGEL FLIGHT DEMONSTRATES HOW INVALUABLE GENERAL AVIATION IS TO COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE!

Angel Flight and it's volunteer pilots and ground helpers are once again powerfully demonstrating how invaluable general aviation is to communities across Australia, with emergency supplies and relief flights for flooded towns.

"Every politician in Australia's Parliament, needs to see this news report, not only because of the incredibly good work that Angel Flight and it's volunteers do for communities facing all manner of hardship, but because Angel Flight itself is at risk of being destroyed, through unnecessary over-regulation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), " Benjamin Morgan, CEO AOPA Australia.

"Our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet, and every member of the House and Senate, should take a good long look at this news report.

"What you see in this news-report are hard working Australians using their pilots license and their aircraft, to help those within our community that are in need. You see mates helping mates, you see the selfless Australian spirit and the generosity and goodwill of our aviation community and industry.

"What you will not see, are the faces of those from CASA who have spent the past four years undermining the rights of pilots and the great work that Angel Flight does for the many thousands each year.

"The Australian Parliament, must support Angel Flight and our national community of pilots, in protecting our rights and ensuring that we have the freedom to fly in support of our communities." he said.

BENJAMIN MORGAN

MTF...P2