The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced the activation of its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database to facilitate the business aviation industry’s mobilization in support of relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has caused widespread damage to communities across the Southeastern U.S.

The HERO database allows people to enter information about the availability of airplanes, personnel and other assets for relief missions. Information from the database is provided to government agencies and non-government organizations upon request. The database has previously been activated to support relief missions in the aftermath of hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. 

“Business aircraft have long played an essential role in providing relief for people and communities in need in times of crisis,” noted Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president, safety, security, sustainability and international operations. “They are often able to turn roadways into runways, or hillsides into heliports, in order to reach isolated locations. NBAA’s HERO database offers one-stop access to those in business aviation who want to lend a helping hand with their aircraft and other assets.”

The damage from Hurricane Helene is extensive, and the need for emergency supplies continues to grow as many communities remain without critical infrastructure, including electricity, water and cellular service.

The storm came ashore Sept. 26 in the Big Bend section of Florida near the city of Perry with 140 mile per hour winds, moving on into parts of Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Insurers and forecasters have projected that catastrophic damage caused by Helene is somewhere between $15 billion and $100 billion. 

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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