Operation Airdrop has established a base at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (KJQF) in North Carolina and is inviting owner-pilots to volunteer to operate supply flights to the storm-ravaged area. Pilots without their own aircraft and ground volunteers are also welcome to apply.

Most roads remain impassable and whole towns have been virtually obliterated by the massive storm.

“Flight operations will begin on Monday, September 30, 2024,” the group said in a Facebook post. “We’re calling on volunteer pilots to get ready to deploy! Multiple destinations are set, with Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) being our largest, and other locations (with and without airport access) that are in need.”

Volunteers will get a 75-cent-a-gallon discount on fuel at the Concord FBO. Details for pilot participation can be found on the organization’s website.

Ryan Spellman, Director of Operations at Airdrop, Discusses Helene Efforts: 

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Volunteer Owner-Pilots Needed for Helene Relief appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Recently, Roland Vegiard and I embarked on a charitable trip in support of Pilots ‘n Paws relocating some sheltered animals for the Bradford County Humane Society from Towanda, Pennsylvania, to Asheville, North Carolina. 

We volunteered to take two dogs, brothers Denver and Dakota, down to Asheville and return with nine puppies. With the help of Bob Heinrich of Heinrich Aviation at the Bradford County Airport (N27), we loaded up and launched off for Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) with a fuel stop at West Virginia International Yeager Airport (KCRW) in Charleston. 

• READ MORE: Rescue a Pet, Build the Connection

Arriving at Asheville we were met by Natasha Kush and her team who handles pet relocations there. We loaded up nine of the cutest puppies you could ever hope to meet and headed back to Charleston for another fuel supply and then back to Towanda.

Roland and I were cruising VFR at 9,500 feet msl working with TriCities Approach over southern Virginia when suddenly things got extremely quiet. Not the radio…the engine!

We completely lost engine power. As there were only 60 or so hours on this zero-time rebuild engine, it was instantly one of those WTF moments when Roland and I looked at each other in disbelief and immediately began to go through the standard emergency procedures trying to troubleshoot the situation. We advised ATC of our situation and, thanks to the updated GPS and moving map displays, glided our way without any further difficulty into the Virginia Highlands Airport (KVJI) at Abingdon, Virginia. 

The staff at KVJI couldn’t have been nicer and more accommodating even summoning Washington County Sheriff’s deputies Sgt. Alexander and Dep. Blalock of their Animal Control Division, who arrived with pet food, water bowls, and makeshift leashes to make sure that our nine “passengers” were watered, fed, and given the opportunity to visit the grassy areas on the airport. 

I simply cannot thank these folks enough for their hospitality, time, and assistance. We were able to rent a minivan from the local Avis car rental service and then embarked on the more than nine hour drive back to Pennsylvania. All of these great people will forever be in my debt and gratitude. 

Roland and I use trips such as this to better hone my IFR skills and become more proficient with the Garmin glass panel suite that I had installed last year in my airplane.

It was almost comical when this happened. It was like a robot took over both Roland and me at the very same instant. Roland was flying this leg from KAVL to KCRW while I was working the radio and pretty much monitoring the Garmin 3X Touch. As soon as we recognized from the multifunction display that the engine stopped producing power and oil pressure was at zero, Roland instantly went to the best glide speed while I went through the mixture, carb heat, mags, and fuel selector tasks.

Fortunately, KVJI was visible through a thin cloud layer at 9,000 feet, about 10 miles away, and we headed directly there to circle over the pattern. I think that the comical part was Roland kept the landing roll-out speed pretty brisk, making it possible to make the turn off of the runway onto the taxiway and then on to the ramp rolling right up to the front door of the FBO. We later joked that the late Bob Hoover would’ve been proud by this ‘conservation of energy’ display.

The post Engine Failure Turns Puppy Ferrying Flight Into Glider appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL)

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville Regional Airport is located 9 miles south of the city. The airport elevation is 2,164 feet and it sits in hilly terrain. The runway is orientated 17/35 and measures 8,001 feet by 150 feet. Right traffic is used for Runway 35.

• READ MORE: Explore the Eclectic Vibes of Asheville

When approaching from the south, be mindful of a series of smoke stacks, the highest of which is noted on the VFR sectional at 2,562 feet msl, and located approximately 8,688 feet from the approach end of the runway. The airport is located within Class C airspace, so be ready to contact Asheville Approach within 20 nm of the facility.

• READ MORE: Fly These Aircraft to Asheville

For IFR pilots using the ILS and RNAV approaches, refer to the notes for special takeoff minimums on the departure procedures. The airport offers 100LL and jet-A fuel, and it serves commercial airline traffic as well as flocks of migratory birds, so don’t be surprised if you are sharing the pattern.

Hendersonville Airport (0A7)

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville Airport (0A7) is located 2 miles to the east of Hendersonville, North Carolina. The airport elevation is 2,084 feet and the runway, 15/33, measures 3,075 feet by 40 feet. Users should note: The airport is limited to daylight operations only, as the runway markings are faded. There are no instrument procedures for this airport.

Pilots are urged to use caution when landing when the winds are greater than 10 knots. There are numerous obstacles on the north side of the runway including fences, a road, and 60-foot trees that are some 80 feet off the extended centerline. There is also a hangar located 90 feet to the left of Runway 33. Beware of the aircraft parked just 40 feet from Runway 33.

The airport is privately owned but has public-use privileges. It was established in 1932 and still has that vintage vibe to it, which dovetails nicely into the air museum located next door. Hendersonville has hosted a few famous visitors, including President George H.W. Bush, who landed there on board Marine One en route to a campaign stop.

This article was first published in the 2022 Southeast Adventure Guide of FLYING Magazine.

The post Flying to Asheville? Here’s Where To Land appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Lay of the Land

Asheville is located in the center of North Carolina’s mountain region at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers in the southern Appalachian mountains. Given its elevation (2,200 feet) and location, it’s a great place to visit year-round to experience all four seasons. Summers are warm and humid with July reaching average highs of 84 degrees Fahrenheit. January, being the coldest month of the year, has average lows of 27 degrees F and average highs of 44 degrees F.

The steep rocky peaks surrounding the city range from 4,000 to almost 7,000 feet in elevation, creating a hikers’ mecca. With several ski slopes in the area, Asheville is also a great jumping off point for winter sports.

• READ MORE: Flying to Asheville? Here’s Where To Land

A popular site for geological study, the rocks in the area tell a complete story of the evolution of continents. Scientists estimate the majority of the region’s stones to be more than 1 billion years old to about 500 million years old, with the “youngest” rocks being at least 200 million years old.

At close to 6,000 feet, the highest point on the Blue Ridge is Grandfather Mountain. Southwest of Asheville are the Great Smoky Mountains and several other mountain ranges. To the northwest are the Bald Mountains and the Black Mountains, which include Mount Mitchell—the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. From Mount Mitchell, backpackers can access the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. Added to the state park system in 2000, the trail stretches 1,175 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, passes through 37 counties and four national parks, and connects to 10 state parks.

Outdoor Diversions

But you don’t need to hike for miles to enjoy the great outdoors of western North Carolina. Near Asheville there are trails of varying distances and for all skill levels. The most traveled paths reward hikers with gorgeous views—and sometimes a misting from a waterfall or a refreshing plunge in a natural pool.

There are, literally, hundreds of waterfalls in the area. Just 25 minutes from the city, you’ll find Skinny Dip Falls, where a half-mile trail leads to multiple pools fed by cascades. It’s no surprise it’s a favorite local swimming spot; however, bring your swimsuit. Despite the name, clothing is not optional.

A little farther from the city in Pisgah National Forest, you can take a short hike to or view the 75-foot Looking Glass Falls from a roadside observation point. And, from Asheville, it’s just 65 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains, which has waterfalls galore. One trail in the Smokies leads you past three waterfalls: Deep Creek, Indian, and Tom’s Branch falls. Looking for a scenic drive and not quite as much walking? A trip to Chimney Rock State Park, located 25 miles from downtown, rewards those willing to climb 500 steps to the top of a towering stone overlook that offers views of up to 75 miles on clear days. Geologists estimate the Chimney Rock monolith to be 500 million years old.

• READ MORE: Fly These Aircraft to Asheville

There are so many trails to choose from in the Asheville area that you might want to use a hike search website or app to help you narrow your options. There are several with skill-level and other preference-based filters that can assist you in this task.

You can find a more organized outdoor experience at the Adventure Center of Asheville, which offers ziplining, a treetop challenge course, and mountain biking. The center’s Kolo Bike Park has 4 miles of trails to test your endurance and balance skills. Designed to be progressive, there’s a designated kids bike playground and trails for beginners to experts. Features include “step downs, tabletops, road gaps, drops, and transfers,” according to the website. When it gets warm in the summer, the French Broad River, which runs right through the city, is a popular spot to tube or paddle. You can float past the Biltmore Estate and through the heart of Asheville’s River Arts District on trips that range from 3 to 12 miles coordinated by French Broad Outfitters.

A more active sport, fly fishing, is also a favorite activity for visitors. Nearby, the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests offer streams that are plentiful with trout, small and large-mouth bass, crappie, and sunfish.

Another favorite outdoor (and indoor) diversion is the Biltmore Estate. From early April through the end of May, the estate celebrates Biltmore Blooms. Guests can wander the property’s 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds and enjoy its colorful variety of carefully curated flowers and plants. The estate also has 20 miles of trails, a winery, and offers tours of the historic George and Edith Vanderbilt home.

City Scene

Given its modest population of 94,000, Asheville has a surprisingly large number of cultural centers and museums. But in light of the city’s history of celebrating and preserving the arts, as well as craftsmanship, it makes perfect sense. In fact, the Asheville Museum of Art was established in 1948 and is the third oldest art museum in the state.

Today, the region’s appreciation for art and culture is just as prominent. Local artisans are known for demonstrating their skills and techniques, many of which are distinctive to the Appalachian region.

The city’s River Arts District, a revitalized industrial area, is a great place to visit to see artists in action. The 2-square-mile district has 23 buildings and is home to 200-plus working artists. You can peruse the studios of potters, sculptors, painters, glassblowers, photographers, jewelry makers, and other artisans, most of whom are happy to answer your questions. At the North Carolina Glass Center, you can watch glass blowing demonstrations and make your own glass work with guidance from a professional artist. Nearby, the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts offers classes and workshops as well.

For a different kind of interactive experience, visit the Asheville Pinball Museum. It has 35 working pinball machines that you can play for a price, and serves food and drink. Another Asheville museum honors the life and works of author Thomas Wolfe.

As an aviator, you will enjoy the Western North Carolina Air Museum. Located about 25 miles south of Asheville in the city of Hendersonville, the museum has a 1927 WACO 10, a 1915 Sopwith Baby replica, a 1915 Morane Saulnier N, and several other historic aircraft.

Asheville has something for music fans, as well. Both the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and the Moog Factory call the city home. Known for revolutionizing music with the invention of the synthesizer in 1964, Bob Moog opened the factory here in 2002. It offers tours and allows visitors to experiment with its synthesizers.

Asheville is well known for its breweries too. In fact, it has the most breweries per capita in the U.S. With roughly 100 local beers and 40 breweries, it has earned its nickname as “Beer City USA.” The city hosts many annual beer festivals, including the NC Small Batch Festival in April, Asheville Beer Week at the end of May to early June, Beer City Festival in May, Burning Can Festival in August, Tour de Fat in September, North Carolina Beer Month in October, and more.

History

To learn about Asheville’s history, take a stroll along the city’s Urban Trail, which winds past 30 interpretive placards that narrate historical moments and celebrate the achievements of individuals with deep ties to the region. Famous local people featured on the trail include: George Vanderbilt II, a philanthropist and founder of the Biltmore Estate; E.W. Grove, a real estate developer who established the six-story Grove Park Inn in 1912—now an Omni property and luxury hotel; plus authors Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and O. Henry; and Douglas Ellington, an Art Deco architect. The No. 1 placard is located at Asheville’s Pack Square, which is named for George Pack, who donated the land in 1900 to be used as a public park. A frequent scene for local festivals and gatherings, the park also contains the art deco City Hall, a Veterans’ Memorial, and other historic buildings.

The most notable historic building in the area is the Biltmore Estate. George Vanderbilt II, the youngest son of William Henry Vanderbilt and an heir to the Vanderbilt family fortune, first visited Asheville in 1887. A year later, he returned and started buying land for what would become his country estate. The 250-room French Renaissance-style chateau took six years to complete.

This article was first published in the 2022 Southeast Adventure Guide of FLYING Magazine.

The post Explore the Eclectic Vibes of Asheville appeared first on FLYING Magazine.