I know many pilot's from this forum reside in the west. However, in sitting here watching the news coverage of the most recent tornado strike on Joplin, Mo..my heart is breaking. I sit here and wonder what it would be like to win the lottery, and have the ability to buy a few Kodiak or caravans for designated disaster relief flights.

We as pilots are some of the most giving and charitable group of American's. I know not much can be accomplished with just saying " gee, i wish", but wouldn't it be nice to have a volunteer group of aircraft/pilots on call or available for dispatch for responding to disaster relief. I can see a whole oshkosh type flood of General aviation aircraft flying in supplies. Of course ground transport is most likely cheaper and easier for most. But wouldn't it be awesome to have a quick response unit, coordinating with red cross and other non government organizations.

If I had the money, that's what I would do.

Good Idea. I know here the county sent me a letter asking what kind of equipment I had in case of a disaster. At the time I didn't have a plane but I did have a lot of excavation equipment and a snow cat. Never got called but I would have loved to help.

On a smaller scale, I just finished up one class for the Red Cross and I have scheduled classes for every week till the 4th of July. You need two required classes and one extra to be a volunteer. They have one class I'm taking that teaches you First Aid for when your away from any help. I think we could all use that one. They have a lot of free classes but some you need to pay for. You can go to https://classes.redcross.org/Saba/Web/Main to see what's available. I could be coming to a disaster near you!

That is a great idea.

I have famliy and friends in that area. Family is o k but no word from our friends.

The cheapest way is just the pray.

Reuben