The pace is quickening at Haleakala this week. Yesterday, I had basic training in flight operations for the park, and today I was fortunate to assist in an actual helicopter operation delivering supplies (construction materials, firewood, etc.) into the backcountry for our visitor huts.
Staff loads supplies at the base yard and transports them to a staging area at the helipad. The supplies are broken down into separate loads based on allowable weight and rigged for pick up. Next, certain staff members are flown into the crater followed by the supplies. Today, we had two choppers shuttling. I assisted with staging materials and ran traffic control, which was great for observing the process and getting to talk to our park visitors about the operation. At the end of June, I will receive crew training and will probably be participating in the next operation from inside of the crater.
This post is for my good friend, and former USFS employee, Philippe.
