My help for Katrina victims.

Well I had a very long flight last Monday to pick up a Katrina volunteer
and take her home. Her group cooked meals that the Red Cross Served.

The flight started out in Cleveland, OH where I was a visiting friend
for the weekend. My airplane broke last week (see another story), which
turned out to be a good thing.
My Co-pilot flew in on Independence, non-rev. We picked her up at
Hopkins and headed downtown to Burke Lakefront. The flight Originated at
Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL) first stop Mussel Shoals, Alabama (KMSL)
then on to Hammond, Louisiana (KHDC) to pick up our passenger. We left
Hammond late in the afternoon and flew well into the night. We stopped
at Greenville Downtown (KGMU) and Greenville Spartansburg (KGSP). We
continued on to Newport News, Virginia (KPHF) and the on home to
Leesburg, Virginia (KJYO)
Total time 14.3 hours in a twin at about 150kts. Approx 2000 NM covered.

My co-pilot and I departed IFR Burke Lakefront airport around 11:30 am
and flew south over Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Nashville then into
Mussel Shoals total leg time 4.3 hours. Weather mild IFR to clear. She
flew the first leg.

We fueled the airplane picked up a few quarts of Oil, not being sure if
we could get any at our pick up point. This is also the reason for the
first long leg. I had planned a short third leg in case we could not get
fuel either. I flew the second leg.

Off we went to IFR Hammond, LA. Uneventful, No indication at all of any
hurricane damage. They have set up a temporary military tower set up at
Hammond. It appears the military is using it for an operation base.
Shortly before we arrived a C-130 took off and shortly after a pair of
Apache’s or Aztec’s took off on a spraying operation.

It was also packed with bizjets. Hammond is the closest airport one can
get to the area to evaluate companies interests. The FBO’s ramp was
packed and overflowing. It seems their normal traffic is about 1/3 of
what it is currently. They were prompt, efficient and helpful. We fueled
up, loaded up and headed out as quickly as possible. I flew the third leg.

It was about 7 Pm when we left Hammond and started home with our passenger.
We once again departed IFR and started heading East and then North East.
We encountered some light IFR and watched day pass into night. The
Highlight of the leg was watching the moonrise. What an awesome sight.
Shortly after nightfall our passenger became sleepy and went to sleep
for most of the leg. We started our approach into Greenville, SC and
woke up our passenger. By now it was after 11 PM EDT. We landed and
taxied towards the FBO. They were closed. They were supposed to still be
open. So we taxied back to the runway and took off. We called the
approach controller from our inbound flight and asked him if fuel was
still available at GSP. He said he would check and called us back about
30 seconds later saying the FBO was open and waiting for us. This
controller turned out to be our best friend this evening. He also asked
about our outbound flight plan and took care of changing our origination
airport and departure time. We taxied into the FBO and made a beeline
for the bathroom. The FBO was nice and gave us a fuel discount.

Once we fueled up and paid we back in the Seminole for another leg. As
we taxied out the towered closed. So here we are surrounded by Airliners
at an un-controlled field with an 11,000 by 150 runway. As we approached
runway 4, I heard over the tower now CTAF “Wisconsin 4.... CRJ200 left
downwind runway 4 Greenville.” That surprised us! They landed and we
took off. As soon as we were in the air. We heard another.” American
Eagle ... Embrarier.... left downwind runway 4” Truly a unique
experience. This leg was to be about two hours. Dark very dark,
un-eventful. Other pilot flying. PHF is normally a Towered airport as is
Greenville Downtown and Greenville-Spartansburg. They too were closed
upon our arrival. The whole airport was closed! I had called ahead to
make sure our passenger could get out. No problem. An added bonus we
were able to go to the bathroom.
Our last leg home was quick and un-eventful. Once we took off the
controller cleared us direct Leesburg. This turned out to be quite cool.
We truly flew direct. We passed right over Manassas just west of Dulles
on into JYO. We were the controller only traffic and Dulles was dark. No
runway lights on. Kinda weird. We touched down around 3:30 had the
airplane unloaded quickly. I had to drop my co-pilot off back at Dulles
and then I headed home. I made it to bed at 6 AM. A very long day. But
worth it.

Cost: It would have been cheaper to give the Salvation Army a couple grand.
Expression on our passenger's husband face when we arrived at PHF:
Priceless.