Bizav Community Responds to Haitian Earthquake

The National Business Aviation Association has heard from many members wishing to volunteer aircraft, supplies and personnel to aid relief efforts in the wake of Haiti's earthquake, according to NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. In an open letter to the business aviation community, Bolen said that his organization has established a page on its Web site to offer information and help match available assets with people and organizations involved in coordinating missions into Haiti. The page allows for registration of NBAA member aircraft and other assets that are available to assist in relief efforts. Bolen said that the NBAA is "continually sharing" data entered into the registry with the Department of Homeland Security's Critical Incident Management Group, which is overseeing the government's response to the crisis. He added that operators who are unable or unwilling to fly to and from Haiti can still contribute to relief efforts by transporting supplies and personnel to staging areas within the U.S. Meanwhile, the Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies network-a group established in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help organize general aviation humanitarian efforts following disasters-was activated for the first time. The organization is seeking aviation assets to assist in relief flights to bring supplies and search-and-rescue personnel to Haiti.