Operation Airdrop - 05 September 2017

The club's Archer participated in Operation Airdrop with a flight to Beaumont Municipal airport (KBMT) yesterday. Lets just say it started off with a BANG! Denis Rottler and I flew the Archer, loaded with about 150 lbs of supplies, to KBMT. We took off at 0915 and after an uneventful 2 hr flight, we touched down on runway 31 and discovered that our left main tire was flat. Without going into too much detail, the FBO and some very helpful Army folks, helped get the aircraft off the runway and towed to the hangar. (thank you Joey and Bret).

The FBO was able to roundup an old used tire, sold us a new tube, and with the help of Phil Robertson (an A&P at Liberty airport), we were headed back to Greenville by 1830, arriving at 2045. Thank you Phil.

The ladies coordinating the distribution of the relief supplies at KBMT are truly amazing. I'm calling them the BEAUMONT ANGELS because of the work they are doing. For the 7 hours Denis and I were at the FBO, we witnessed them on the telephone almost constantly coordinating the delivery and pick up of supplies and working with people seeking supplies coming into the FBO all afternoon. The support and the genuine desire of folks helping the victims of hurricane Harvey was truly amazing. Disasters such as this bring out the best in people.