Haiti – Blue Ice Aviation

Typhoon Haiyan, My Studly Brother, and a Thankgiving reminder (15 photos)

Blue Ice Aviation — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 07:18:16 +0000

That’s my bro.

That’s him again, did I mention that’s my brother :o)

For those of you that have been following the blog for a number of years you may remember that my brother is a missionary in the Philippines. He and his wife and kids have been living in the Philippines for several years. Zach and I grew up in Alaska and have shared a love of aviation together our whole life. We both went to school to be missionary pilot/mechanics. I am still here in Alaska, but Zach ended up overseas. If you have a TV or a computer you are probably aware that earlier this month the Philippine islands were hit with the worst tropical storm to ever make landfall in recorded history. My brother and his family were on the outskirts of the storm and only experience moderate winds and rain. My brother Zach is a helicopter pilot. His day to day job is supporting missionary families and native Filipinos in remote villages in the Northern Philippines with an R44 helicopter. After the hurricane devastated central and southern Philippines my brother flew 600 miles south to aid in relief efforts with the R44. To fly a helicopter across a country with very little avgas or aviation infrastructure is an adventure in itself, not to mention his destination was a total disaster area. The trip went mostly flawless with one unplanned overnight due to weather. Eventually he met up with a few of my college buddies from Moody Aviation who are also currently flying for the same mission in Cessna 185’s in the Philippines. They are using two Cessna 185s and one R44 to aid the islands.

I normally talk to my brother 2-3 times per week, but I have pretty much lost any contact with him since he headed South on the 12th of November. I know he is safe, and happy, and he is flying a lot. I did manage to get a 2 minute phone call with him last week and he said, “it is pretty amazing to be the last link in the chain of relief efforts”. He said, “I’m the guy that actually gets to unload the helicopter full of rice to hundreds of people that did not know I was coming, and are very hungry”. Hearing him say that made me so happy, I know he is in element, he loves helping people, and he is one gifted individual. As I am typing this my computer is bleeping at me letting me know that Zach has just lifted off on another flight, to another island, my screen looks something like this …

They have put more than 160 hours on their aircraft and have moved more than 44,000 lbs of supplies to the surrounding islands. I am sitting at my computer right now watching him on flight tracker as he flies from island to island. The islands are so remote and un-land-able that they read tide charts to determine when they can land on beaches to deliver supplies. I am headed over to see him at the end of December, and I can hardly wait, I wish I could leave right now. Zach was also in Haiti shortly after the earthquake in 2010. He does not go looking for these disasters, but twice he has been in the right place at the right time with a helicopter and a unique skill set.

My wonderful sister-in-law Jane spends her days keeping an eye on Zach with this flight tracker program. Without her support I know my brother could never be there helping like he is. Jane is an amazing support, and is still in the Northern Philippines at their home base taking care of the home front with the kiddos.

So as you enjoy Thanksgiving this season, it may not hurt to remember how blessed we are. Dave Forney, another Moody graduate that is there helping with my brother said it so well on his blog post here.

Phew … he made it!

We love you guys and are praying for you all daily. You make us proud.

Photo of the Day — My Brother and I

Blue Ice Aviation — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:36:48 +0000

This is a photo of my brother and I from a couple of years ago. We were out cruising around and set down on this gravel-bar to stomp around a bit. Zach and his small family are now living in the Philippines. He is currently in language school in Manila learning the local language of Tagalog, and hopes to be flying helicopters there in the near future. This is a huge challenge as he and his team set up a flight program for the Robinson R-44 helicopter that recently arrived (pictures of the R-44 arriving) Zach is a commercial, fixed wing, helicopter, CFI, and a dang good IA mechanic. It just kills me to have him so far away, but I believe in what he is doing. I just saw this picture and liked it, and wanted to share it. I’m on the left and my brother is on the right.

Here is a complete list of blog posts about my brother. Most of them are from his efforts in Haiti after the earthquake.

Photos of the Day — Zach in the Phillipines

Blue Ice Aviation — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:21:00 +0000

For those of you who were following the blog in late January you will remember my brother, Zach, was flying a helicopter in Haiti after the earthquake. You can see numerous pictures and read the full report of his time in Haiti in these 10 blog posts from last year.

After returning from Haiti, Zach, Jane, and their three small children moved to the Philippines. They are currently in language school studying the local language of Tagalog a minimum of 8 hours per day. They have already been in Manila for 6 months and will likely continue their language study for another 8-10 months. After that time Zach and the other local missionaries hope to begin a flight program with the helicopter in order to provide transport into the remote areas. Zach took a week off from language studies recently to help uncrate and assemble the Robinson R44 helicopter that had just arrived from Arizona. This was a sizable chore, but was successfully accomplished. They are now waiting for the paperwork to clear the local “FAA” office so they can proceed.

To read more about my brother and his family, and learn what they are doing, go here.

I totally forgot to mention that Zach was there for the Super Typhoon that hit the Philippines two weeks ago today. It was/is a real mess, and here are a couple of photos he sent me. He said the people there are amazing, because nobody was standing around whining and waiting for the government to fix it. They simply went to work to fix what they could, and got on with life. I wish americans had not lost their “git’ ‘er done” mentality. We’re all too focused on filling out the proper permits, and trying not to get sued, to get much done anymore.

Zach is Home, This is His Last Report of Haiti

Blue Ice Aviation — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:34:00 +0000

I am home at last and it feels good to be back in America. We safely flew 70 plus hours in 3 weeks. By Gods grace I was healthy the whole time and the helicopter worked flawlessly. We flew 18 people to the hospital for medical emergencies. We also flew medical supplies, food, and medical teams. We did several survey flights to assess the need for medical attention and water in remote villages, and just a couple of beach landings to take a quick swim. It was an amazing experience, that I feel privileged to have been a part of.

It was hard to see so much pain and suffering day after day. The devastation in Port-a-Prince is overwhelming. We would usually take off from the airport and head south west over the worst of it. I couldn’t help but think, as we flew over miles of densely packed and destroyed houses, how many sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers lay buried beneath all the rubble.

There is hope for Haiti though. The last day I flew over the streets of Port-a-Prince, they were packed with people gathered together to pray and worship God. It might seem that this terrible earthquake would cause the Haitian people to curse God and turn further from Him, but instead, they are being drawn to Him. The hope for Haiti is the same hope that is available to the whole world. His Son, Jesus Christ. Keep praying for the people of Haiti.

Zach’s Report from Haiti on Feb 9th

Blue Ice Aviation — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:06:00 +0000

Zach told me yesterday that they hoped to bring baby food out to an orphanage today. Below is Zach’s report from the day’s events. Through my brother’s request, and and my judgement, we have filtered some of the stories and photos because we don’t want to share things for shock factor or drama’s sake. I am simply trying to communicate the needs that are in Haiti without being grotesque or dramatic. Zach’s words on the medical situation in Haiti are eye-opening to the reality of the pain that is in Haiti right now.

We flew to the orphanage. It was nice by Haiti standards but still very sad. Father John who runs the orphanage was very glad to see us even though we only brought an R44 load of baby food. That will get them by for a few days, and we lined up an A-Star 350 that is going to sling-in I ton of food for them. We do a lot of networking for people. Father John out on the island of El la Viche has no idea how to get a substantial amount of food quickly. And that was the bigger goal we had, to make sure he was legit and there really was a need. Then we use our contacts to get them some serious food. So anyway I was talking about the extremes; we leave this sad but functioning orphanage and in 10 minutes we had landed on a secluded Caribbean beach and took 20 minutes to enjoy a swim. Then in another 40 minutes we are in the smoke, dust and grim of Port-Au-Prince. It feels unreal at times. And now I am sitting in the orphanage, which is a resort by Haiti standards, listening to a couple of doctors and nurses re-run the gruesome events of the day over dinner. Gangrene…infection…amputation…skin grafts…chest tubes…shunts…setting bones…re-breaking bones…crushed pelvis, foot, leg, arm, finger…burns…sutures…still born, it doesn’t seem to end.

I don’t know if I am getting used to the chaos or if things are really slowing down. I felt things settle-down a little about 5 days after I got here, but it is more noticeable now. We are on the downhill slide, which is bad for Haiti, because the needs here are probably going to increase. Hopefully people stay even though the photo-ops are decreasing. I am convinced that some people show up just to look, like it is some kind of a show. Thanks for the prayers. The machine has been running really good and Martin and I are getting it dialed-in. I feel like we are getting better (and more cautious) every day. Need to get going.

Love ya’ bro,

Z

Zach’s Report from Haiti for Feb. 8th

Blue Ice Aviation — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:47:00 +0000

Zach called me yesterday from Haiti and told me that he was exhausted but things were going well. He will only be down there one more week before heading back to Arizona and then off to the Phillipines. He has been getting more flying than he expected as the word spread and needs were made known. Today Zach flew out and picked up a 2 year old girl that needs heart surgery. He has been doing quite a few medevacs which come with their own challenges because the stakes are high on both ends. He is in good health and the helicopter continues to operate perfectly which is a real blessing.

Zach said the locals are fearing the rainy season, and the disease that will spread in the months to come as there are still many bodies still un-recovered and people are living in tents. In many ways the struggles are just beginning for Haiti as the worlds focus moves on to other things. The helicopter belonging to Samaritan Air, that Zach has been flying, will stay in Haiti indefinitely as the needs are still very great. Thank God for the people who are able to be there for the long-haul.

Zach’s Report from Haiti for February 2nd

Blue Ice Aviation — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:18:00 +0000

Zach sent this to me 30 minutes ago. It’s cool to see that our boys are down there in an Alaskan C-17. I was also glad to see that he has peanut butter, crackers, and skittles … you could conquer the world on that combo.

“Haiti is such a thrash that it is laughable, by as early as 10:00 AM the strain is starting to show on everyone. Hopefully I get a good nights sleep tonight that’s all I really need right now. I may have to do a flight to the Dominican Republic tomorrow AM. I tried to get out of it but I think I may be stuck.”

Gotta keep rollin, Zach

Zach’s Report From Haiti — A Specific Need

Blue Ice Aviation — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:49:00 +0000

Here is one of the latest emails from my brother.

Hey dude,

You asked about specific needs and I immediately thought of one. I’m not sure if this is a need you are going to fill, or if you have other people that are interested in helping-from your blog maybe? The orphanage we are staying at has only a few vehicles that in reality are being destroyed by the incredibly hard use they are experiencing right now. There are several medical teams here right now, Heli Mission and us, Samaritan Air. And everyone is using the vehicles to get around. I’m afraid when the dust settles and everyone leaves they will have a couple of junk vehicles and still have an orphanage to run. What do you think? Probably way beyond what you where thinking, but that is what came to mind. We are talking $15,000-$18,000 to get a good vehicle, the Toyota Hilux is what they drive down here. The orphanage is run by World Harvest Ministries which is a lady that has a heart for Haiti and survives hand to mouth. Its not like this is some big emergency but it is what came to my mind when you asked about specific needs.

Had another good day yesterday, very challenging but at least I wasn’t dehydrated, starving and sleep deprived. That always helps to have the basics. More of the same today, if we can get gas, it will be nice to go to places we have already been.

Love ya, z

The orphanage Zach is speaking of can be found at http://miriamfrederick.org/

My Brother’s Report from Haiti on January 28th

Blue Ice Aviation — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:43:00 +0000

I am including notes from three of Zach’s emails representing 2 different days and some fantastic pictures.

Day (6)

“Had another good day. We took a team out to a couple different villages to asses the needs. It’s expensive but there is no other way to figure out who needs the most help. We landed at two coastal villages that where really pretty. If I had more time we would stop and swim several times a day. I only fly 2-3 hours a day (if that) but I don’t know how much more I would want to fly. The heat and continuous stress takes it out of you.
Today we got kicked out of our little landing site at the airport. It was commandeered by mortuary affairs; they are the people that deal with the dead bodies being shipped to the states. They had hundreds of caskets stacked in my landing site when I got back from one of the flights-kinda grim. Its about 10000 degrees in this room, I gotta get out of here and take a shower. “

Day (7)

“We did medical flights today and
got done early so I tried to help out in the hospital a little bit.
Definetly not what I am cut out for. It doesn’t bother me in passing but I
don’t know how the doctors work on these patients all day long.
Today we brought a 2-5 year old boy out, his parents had been killed in the
earthquake and the poor little guy was dehydrated and starving. We don’t
know his age because he is so stunted in his growth. He is here at the
orphanage now and his life should improve drastically. It is emotionally
draining, I just hope we can continue to help the people that need it the most.”

“Today had a little different feel in the air, a little less frenzied and chaotic. We actually got back to the orphanage at 4:00 and ate a proper dinner. Its sad to say but everyone in Port-Au-Prince has either died or found a hospital at this point. One notable exception is yesterday they found a 16 year old girl alive in the rubble. She was trapped in a shower so she had water and was able to survive. Very likely that she is the last survivor. I think I will stay until the 14^th of Feb. there is plenty to do but it has changed from trauma victims to more long term care. Here’s and interesting one; the farmers are really hurting now because of all the free food around. Isn’t that sad, it seems there are always unintended consequences to everything we do.
The little boy in the picture is the one whose parents died.”

So that is the most recent report from my brother. I had not heard from Zach in a couple of days because he had been so busy. It is good to see him doing what he was born to do. My brother is the most capable person I know. He has flown with Mike and I for the last several years in the Super Cubs and Cessna-185. He is also the mechanic who completely rebuilt our Cessna 185 when it got back from the Philippines. He is gifted in so many areas, and
he has an unbelievable family. I told my sister-in-law, and good friend, Jane that it would be great if she updated her blog so folks could read about their family. If you are interested in reading about where Zach and his family are headed and what they are doing click here.

Zach’s Haiti Report for Jan 25th

Blue Ice Aviation — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:41:00 +0000

Here is the email.

Thank you for your prayers!

We brought a load of doctors and nurses to a rural village to help with the influx of wounded that are trying to get out of the city. It was an amazing landing site. The village was in the hills but on the coast and down in a little hole. Helicopters only landing area-very fun.

There are countries from all over the world set up down here at the airport and they are doing and amazing job. I walked around a huge tent hospital that they have set up on the airport, it is jam packed with hurting people, totally heart breaking. But on the positive side at least they are being cared for in a clean air conditioned tent. Without this huge outpouring of help I think more people would die after the quake than in it. The most simple wounds that are not taken care of get infected and cause amputations and death. I wish things could work together a little more smoothly but at least things are getting done.

We had a cool miracle yesterday. The airport ran out of Av-Gas for who knows how long but as the empty fuel truck drove away a big twin engine airplane pulled up. As a joke I said “our gasoline just pulled up”, but then thought that was a pretty good idea and we went and asked. He drained enough gas out of his wings to keep us going today, and hopefully he will show up tomorrow and give us enough for tomorrow. Keep praying that we can keep going. Everything is day to day here.