New York Private Jet Charter Company Relief Efforts Following Earthquake In Port-au-prince Haiti

By Author: Jose Bryant
Total Articles: 5
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Immediately following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that reduced much of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince to shambles, requests for private jet charter flights began pouring in. As the world learned of this massive destruction in one of the Caribbean's poorest nations, the jet charter operations personnel from Talon Air's base located at Republic Airport (KFRG) in Farmingdale, New York began coordinating flights to the small Caribbean island nation. Frank D'Angelone, Talon Air's Charter Manager, took the lead on logistics for getting the advance teams to Haiti. Working with his in-house dispatchers and flight crews, they began to make the necessary arrangements. Due to a lack of reliable information regarding the functionality of Port-au-Prince Airport (MTPP); a decision was made to conduct the initial private jet charter flights into Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. By the time Talon Air's 14 passenger Gulfstream IVSP private aircraft touched down in Santo Domingo, relief flights flying directly into Port-au-Prince were then being diverted to the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo had then become the staging area ...
... for this massive relief effort because of the airports guaranteed access and close proximity to Haiti.

Port-au-Prince Airport (MTPP) was uncontrolled due to the substantial damage sustained to the control tower from the earthquake, the perpetually full ramp and overall grief over what had just occurred. After multiple airspace and runway closures, the airport reopened under control of the U.S. Military. At the request of the Haitian government, the Haiti Flight Operations Coordination Center (HFOCC) was organized by both the U.S. Military and the FAA to manage flights into the area. Private aircraft ranging from small piston and turbo prop aircraft to larger heavy jets assisting with relief efforts were then able to obtain slot reservations for landing in Port-au-Prince by calling Southern Command. Those private jets and turbo prop aircraft staged in the Dominican Republic, originally trying to fly directly into Haiti without a slot, were now finding it harder than expected.

After obtaining a slot, Talon Air, Inc. operated its first relief flight directly into Port-au-Prince Airport. A Challenger 300, managed and operated by Talon Air, was assigned to the humanitarian flight. Coordinating the on-demand charter flight with Southern Command became as simple as calling the posted phone number (issued through NOTAM) and receiving a slot reservation. Other than a few amended procedures, the flight to the island nation was routine. Prior to the quake, Port-au-Prince Area Control required a radio call at least ten minutes prior to entering their airspace for clearance. Now, with the assistance of the U.S. Military and Miami Center, this requirement has been waived. Prior to Miami Center handing off the aircraft to Port-au-Prince Area Control, Talon pilots were cautioned that there may be some time before the inbound aircraft could contact Port-au-Prince due to the diminutive strength of the airport antenna.

After contacting Area Control, the aircraft was vectored for one of the instrument approaches. Once established on the approach to runway 10, the Challenger 300 was switched over to the tower where a U.S. Military controller cleared the 9 seat private jet operating a non scheduled on-demand charter flight to land. The airplane touched down and taxied on to the main ramp where military personnel marshaled the private jet in for parking. While crowded, the runway and taxiway to the ramp were in good condition. With military precision the passengers and humanitarian supplies were offloaded with ease. Along with the humanitarian aid unloaded from the aircraft, Talon Pilots had taken off all food, snacks and beverages stocked in the aircraft galley and linens and pillows typically stocked onboard.

Although the military pulled a fuel truck into position, the flight crew declined on taking jet fuel as they had tankered enough fuel from their departure airport and were able to make the nonstop flight back to the US. The aircraft did not require any services, allowing the crew to do a quick turn, departing Port-au-Prince after minimal ground time. The departure procedure out of Port-au-Prince (MTPP) although uneventful was non-standard, but once over the FIR boundary the aircraft was handed over to Miami Center for radar identification and given clearance to their next destination.

While the Part 135 private jet charter crew headed for home, they reflected on the mission they had just completed. "Thanks to Miami Center and the U.S. Military, we were able to get into Port-au-Prince with no delays stated Captain Matthew Grimaldi, PIC on Talon Air's Challenger 300 super mid sized private jet. It just goes to show you, when a disaster of this magnitude hits, the coordination between the military and civilian operators becomes seamless and allows us to operate these type of flights to maximum efficiency." Answering the call for help, business aircraft responded without hesitation to help ease the misery in Haiti. The ability of the business jet community to mobilize and react quickly to events and needs is exactly what makes business aviation so appealing day in and day out.

About Talon Air, Inc.
With its headquarters located at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY (FRG), Talon Air, Inc. owns and operates a diverse fleet of 20 late model light, mid, super mid and heavy jet aircraft, an executive helicopter and turbo prop aircraft. Talon Air is capable of accommodating any request around the world with no geographic limitation. As long as what is being asked of Talon is safe and legal - Talon Air, Inc. has the experience, resources and capabilities of meeting any request. More information can be found on Talon Air's website www.TalonAirJets.com

Talon Air, Inc. is a full service private aviation company specializing in private jet charters and aircraft management. For more information please visit http://www.talonairjets.com/ .