Washington, DC, April 16, 2019 — Recent spring floods were catastrophic for the Midwest, where heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt caused nearly unprecedented flooding across the Missouri River Basin. So devastating were the floods that, in Nebraska alone, three quarters of the state’s 93 counties declared an emergency in their wake.
With so much storm-related devastation and dislocation, one local Air Charter Safety Foundation member decided to live up to the state’s unofficial motto of “Nebraska Strong” and exhibit some real generosity.
This past March, during the height of the flooding, the Lincoln-based charter operator, Silverhawk Aviation, took some action that changed the lives and welfare of hundreds of the state’s farmers and families.
When rising floodwaters isolated residents of Fremont—a small community in eastern Nebraska—11 Silverhawk Aviation pilots and crew used five of the company’s airplanes to make dozens of emergency flights between Fremont and Lincoln—completely free of charge to the passengers on board.
Grassroots Charter Operator
Founded in 1991, Silverhawk Aviation began as a charter operator with just one airplane and a single pilot. But within a decade, the company grew to 13 aircraft. Today, the charter operation offers a fleet of turboprops, light jets and mid-sized jets. It also has a large and growing regional maintenance department as well as a nationally recognized line service department.
Goodwill’ Personified
During the flooding’s aftermath, and over the course of a weekend, Silverhawk flew a total of 30 legs, helping to transport approximately 170 people and supplies into and out of communities that were desperately in need of assistance.
The effort proved to be a total “win-win” for everyone involved, noted John Geary, Director of Operations for Silverhawk. “All of it turned out amazing,” he said. “Our employees were proud to be part of a company that would do this, and willingly offered any help they could. The perspective both inside and outside the company was ‘This is what a Nebraska company does in times of hardship.’”
Geary was quick to point out that Silverhawk was far from the only company offering flights. “A dozen or more pilots rented planes or used their own to help transport people and supplies,” he explained. “Other people from the Fremont area came to the airport to donate food to the pilots and people who were there helping,” he added.
The net effect proved to the Silverhawk employees and the people they helped that a little generosity can generate a lot of goodwill. “It was just amazing to see everyone wanting to help, anyway they could,” Geary said. “People wanted to help load/unload, donate money, donate time, donate supplies, cook meals, anything. There was no complaining . . . just a community—and a company—pulling together and doing whatever it takes to help out a neighbor.”
President Bryan Burns of the Air Charter Safety Foundation commends everyone at Silverhawk Aviation for their selflessness and community spirit. “We’re always extremely proud of our members when they step up in times of need,” Burns said. “We’d also like to recognize Silverhawk for their tremendous management and safety record.”
Learn more about this ACSF member, Silverhawk Aviation at www.silverhawkaviation.com.
