FITCHBURG — About three dozen pilots in 17 planes are taking much-needed shrink-wrapped supplies to East Farmingdale, N.Y., out of Fitchburg Municipal Airport today.
Fitchburg Pilot’s Association President Charley Valera said the effort in response to devastation from Superstorm Sandy was a collaboration with AERObridge, a National Business Aviation Association-endorsed group of aviation specialists who coordinate emergency aviation responses during disasters.
“We had an influx of people wanting to help and dropping off donations for us,” Mr. Valera said about collection efforts at the flight school at the airport yesterday.
Items such as winter coats, diapers, blankets, pet food, bottled water and flashlights with batteries are shrink-wrapped, he said, to save space on the planes and ensure they stay dry at drop off.
The pilots are leaving at noon today and will return in the afternoon. They are volunteering their time and flying at their own expense, Mr. Valera said.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20121104/NEWS/111049714/1116