Helene: Pilots & Aviation Partners Coordination  

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  • Since Hurricane Helene, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported a significant increase in air traffic over western North Carolina. This surge includes private aircraft, the North Carolina National Guard, military partners and search and rescue missions, all working to aid those in need. The increase in air traffic necessitates coordination to ens​ure safe, efficient relief and rescue operations.​​

  • ​Safety Coordination Strategies

    In collaboration with federal and state agencies—including the FAA, NC National Guard, and the Department of Defense and North Carolina Division of Aviation, the Air State Emergency Response Team (AirSERT) has implemented several critical safety strategies.

    Prior Permission Request Lines (PPR)

    What are PPRs and why are they needed?
    With a PPR line, pilots call ahead to schedule landing and unloading times and aircraft parking, so aircraft are spaced out to ensure ramp space and fuel are available and reducing congestion and risk of incidents. This system helps manage traffic flow, ensuring safe and efficient ground operations.

    Where are PPRs currently used?
    PPRs are actively in place at:
    • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
    • Rutherford County Airport (FQD)
    • Foothills Regional Airport (MRN)
    • Hickory Regional Airport (HKY)

    Check NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) for the PPR phone numbers, here:
    https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/disclaimer.html


    Airspace Coordination Area

    What are ACAs and why are they needed?
    The FAA will issue an Airspace Coordination Area (ACA), which is an advisory for very specific circumstances—a heads up about an unusual situation and/or congestion that pilots should be aware of. An ACA does not restrict airspace, but provides pilots important guidance.

    Where is an ACA currently used?
    An ACA is currently being used over western North Carolina to alert pilots of additional congestion related to the National Guard and other military partner aircraft.

    Standard-use Army Aircraft Flight Routes (SAAFR)

    What are SAAFR and why are they needed?
    Standard-use Army Aircraft Flight Routes is a military strategy for airspace management. Helene is the first time in any disaster response that this strategy is being deployed to manage civilian and military aircraft. In Helene, these SAAFR are designated corridors in the sky that have been established to separate civilian and military aircraft, facilitating smoother operations and reducing the risk of a near miss or incident. Participating private organizations will inform their pilots of protocol and communication procedures where SAAFR have been established.
     

    Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

    What are TFRs and why are they needed?
    At the request of local authorities or law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration can issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to ensure safety for aircraft conducting Hurricane Helene rescue and recovery activities. These TFRs do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance. Relief operations, including civilian and volunteer operations, may access the restricted airspace if they are coordinated with emergency responders.

    What are TFRs being used for?
    In a dynamic and quickly evolving environment like Helene, TFRs are constantly shifting. Currently, partners are primarily using TFR’s for the following reasons:

    • Search and rescue partners are using short, time and location specific restrictions on air operations to ensure safety when multiple helicopters are engaged in localized search and rescue efforts.

    • Sling loading of heavy lift aircraft.
    Check TFR’s frequently, here:
    https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html


    Temporary Air Traffic Control Towers

    What are Temporary ATC Towers and why are they needed?
    Additional air traffic control towers are being deployed to manage high-traffic regional airports, ensuring safer navigation during Helene response efforts.
    ​

  • Helene Military Air Operations Coordination

    To enhance coordination between private pilots and military aircraft, the North Carolian National Guard is providing operational information to inform pilots of areas of high volume military aircraft movement to inform safe flight planning for civilians.


    Below are the files associated with current NC National Guard operations. Please check back often as these will be updated as the situation changes. 

    • PDF​
    • KML (importable map layer for ForeFlight and similar software)​


    Definitions and Acronyms


    Military aviation information includes many acronyms and words that may be new to private pilots. See below for a list of definitions.

    • SAAFR - Standard-use Army Aircraft Flight Routes, definition above. This is a high-traffic aircraft route, please exercise caution in this corridor. These corridors follow the rules of the road where pilots offset to the right when travelling these routes. If you are a pilot in a participating non-government organization, your organization will provide you more directions for operating in this corridor.
    • ACP – Air Coordination Point – this is a check in point for SAAFR participating aircraft to report positions. If you are a pilot in a participating non-government organization, your organization will provide you more directions for operating in this corridor.

    • TF- Task Force- these points indicate the base location of military assets. If landing at these facilities, please use caution as heavy lift helicopters may be taking off or landing here.

    • FARP – Forward Arming & Refueling Point- this point indicates locations where military assets may be refueling. If you are utilizing this facility, please use caution as heavy lift helicopters may be taking off or landing here.

    • Areas, including Bravo North, Bravo South, Alpha North, Alpha South, Two North, One North & Charlie- these regions are geographic areas where military aircraft are tasked and may have additional aircraft congestion. ​​

  • Helene Pilot Best Practices


    Below are recommendations and best practices for pilots flying into impacted areas and airports

    • If you are delivering supplies, make sure you have a community-based organization ready to receive them at the airport. Airports do not have the capacity to facilitate distribution of supplies to communities and rely on community-based organizations to do so.

    • Tanker fuel into impacted airports. Apron space and fuel is limited, particularly at smaller general aviation airports. Consider fueling up before or after at an airport outside of the areas impacted by Helene

    • Check NOTAMs and TFRs often as the conditions and relief situation is dynamic

    • For additional questions, contact the NCDOT Aviation Division​

    Helene Aviation Fact vs Rumor


    Rumor: FEMA is operating and controlling airports in western North Carolina
    Fact: FEMA is not controlling any airports in western North Carolina. Airport Managers and Airport Sponsors are the legal entities in charge of operating airports, even in Helene response. FEMA staff may be present at airports as they deploy supplies and stage for Helene response. Airports are critical for accessing impacted NC communities for response and recovery efforts for partners including FEMA.


    Rumor: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations

    Fact: The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace. ​
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