Pilots n' Paws KLZU-KOCF

[dmaib]

Bruce Sacks put together an awesome PnP rescue flight today. Four RV's and one Cherokee transported approximately 40(!!) animals from Lawrenceville, GA to Ocala, FL. This was my first rescue flight and what a way to start. Bruce is going to write up the trip, but I wanted to put these photo's on for all to enjoy.
It was colder than **** in GA today!

http://picasaweb.google.com/damaib/P...Jan10KLZUKOCF#

[mannanj]

I tracked Bruce for a while on APRS on his return trip this afternoon. Kinda figured this was what was happening

[bsacks05]

In the annals of aviation history, there are shining examples of the capacity of airplanes to carry large amounts of cargo between two points when the need is the greatest and options are slim. Flying the India to China Hump during WW2 and the Berlin Airlift come to mind. Now, add to those illustrious achievements the Georgia to Florida Puppy Airlift of 2010!

Five pilots donated their time and airplanes to the cause and arrived at Lawrenceville, GA (KLZU) at 0930 today. They bucked strong headwinds and temps in the teens to get the mission underway. All who committed to be there, were there....on time. 100% professionalism. We did have to wait for the dogs to arrive about 1.5 hrs later than planned. Just a small glitch.

When the van doors swung open we saw a lot more than the 25 or so dogs I was told about. Most of the dogs were small pups at least 6 weeks old, but there were a couple momma dogs and two cats as well. I didn't get a firm count but 40+/- is close. The shelter brought along extra crates so all were secure in a carrier of some sort. After the planes were loaded there was still a group of five or six pups in the van and they were looking oh so worried. Everyone in the pilot group knew what had to be done and found room for the last of the pups. A very proud moment for all of us. These guys WERE NOT going to be left behind.

For all the waiting and bitter cold we endured at LZU, we were rewarded with screaming tailwinds which boosted ground speeds by at least 25kts. The two RV10s flown by David Maib and Pierre Smith arrived first and soon after it was John Morgan in his RV6A and me in my RV9. Arriving about 25 minutes later was the Cherokee 180 flown by Steve Booth.

In no time, the FBO lobby was filled with dog crates! Volunteers from the rescue centers were there to sort them out and get them ready for the final leg of their trip. All pilots were given $1/gal discount on fuel and a nice Humane Society t-shirt. We all had lunch together at the Tailwinds Cafe at OCF before departing to our respective home bases.

Overall, a very successful mission to help a lot of animals avoid certain destruction. Special thanks to Pierre, David, Steve, and John for stepping up to make this happen. Credit also to DR for VAF and Pete Howell for setting the example!

PS: I'll post my pictures soon....left camera in the plane.

[bhassel]

Thank you...

[roadrunner20]

Great job David.
I guess you can really pack them in on that beautiful 10 you have.
I was notified of a PnP mission from Keystone, FL to Naples, FL. By the time I could respond, someone else snatched it up.

It's nice to know that so many pilots & RVers are donating their time for such a worthy cause.

[pierre smith]

...I don't quite know where to start because it was a very emotional experience, just the enormity of the airlift, the fellowship and camaraderie, putting faces to names, but mainly the whole objective of so many innocent lives saved.

One of the burly, 6 foot something line guys who helped unload my airplane, became teary-eyed and offered God's blessings more than once. When I told him that there were four more airplanes coming, all loaded with animals, he froze, awed by the idea of 40 something little critters saved.

I can't recall another time about anything that I've done that has brought this much satisfaction and emotional reward! Hard to put into words.

Y'know, they also need temporary foster parents for animals making long trips, where half a dozen pilots are used to each do 300-400 mile legs. They need the animal housed for a day or two 'til the next pilot can come, either because of weather or work schedules. So go to www.pilotsnpaws.org and add your name

We were given forms, signed at both ends by the rescue teams, so we can get an expense deduction from the IRS.

Best,

[petehowell]

Pierre - now you understand, first hand, what it is all about. Great job by all involved - it sounds like it was a great day.

We will get you added to the map!

[MikeF]

Great job, I hope to help out but my little RV-4 isn't setup for this.

mike

[cjensen]

Another fantastic rescue! I love this stuff, and I CAN'T WAIT to be able to help when my -7 is done! Awesome, just AWESOME!!

[TSwezey]

Great job Guys!
I wish I could have joined you. I had to get back to Savannah for a funeral. My wife's coworker and friend had died.