Pilots N Paws Pilots Continue To Conduct Flyway Flights When Weather Allows: A Dozen PNP Pilots Flew to Valdosta, GA to Rescue Flyway Animals To Be Transported To Safety
Oct 3rd, 2015
Due to a low pressure trough bringing in low level moist air, there was a large area in Georgia that was under IFR [instrument flight rules – relying on instruments only to navigate and stay safe] conditions this past Saturday, Oct. 3rd. Since the Brock’s Memorial Mission Fall Flyway in Rock Hill was cancelled due to the low ceilings and massive amounts of rain, a dozen PNP pilots all met in Valdosta (KVLD) which was reporting higher ceilings but low enough to require us to shoot the ILS [instrument landing system] approach to get into Valdosta Regional. Myself and a couple of other pilots were one of the first of the pilots to get there so I made some coffee for the rest of the flyers that were arriving right behind me.
It was a unique opportunity to meet some of the pilots that do volunteer work in my geographical area. There is an interesting mix of people that volunteer to rescue the dogs. The pilots came from various backgrounds and everybody was friendly. Of course none of this would be possible without the ground personnel that do all the leg work like getting the dogs loaded and transported to the airport. I would also like to thank the people that organized the flyway event that invested a substantial amount of their time into this event.
It was a typical flight down to Pompano. South Florida airspace is very busy and fast paced. ATC was asking us why so many planes were flying into Pompano and we so we got the chance to promote PNP on the enroute and approach frequencies. Once we taxied to the receiving spot, the vans drove up to greet us and pick up the dogs. It was a very rewarding sight to see these dogs loaded up on the van and to know they were going to a safe place away from the threat of being put down. These pups will get a second chance at a happy life that’s ahead for them Being there at that moment made all of our efforts worthwhile. I’m not sure of the final count, but I think we saved at least 25 dogs that day. Here are some pictures that I took of my passengers:
– PNP Pilot Tom Autrey
