Co-chairs of the House and Senate General Aviation Caucuses, Reps. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and Sens. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), along with co-sponsors introduced a concurrent resolution this week that recognizes GA’s contributions to the Haiti relief effort in the wake of the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.
GA pilots and aircraft owners donated their time and aircraft to fly more than 4,500 relief flights within 30 days of the earthquake; more than 700 were completed by business aircraft that transported more than 1 million pounds of supplies and 3,500 passengers, including medical staff and relief personnel, according to the resolution.
The resolution states that “Congress recognizes the many contributions made by general aviation pilots and operators to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts; and encourages the continued generosity of general aviation pilots and operators in ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.”
While larger aircraft were delivering supplies to Port-au-Prince, small GA aircraft delivered much-needed supplies to remote areas, landing on small strips and, in some cases, roads.
