The teammates at Banyan Air Service, based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport have recently committed their support to 4KIDS of South Florida. Banyan helps this organization through volunteer opportunities, monetary donations, and new and gently used items.

“We considered several nonprofit organizations but felt that the mission of 4KIDS of South Florida was the right match for Banyan. We spent several weeks getting to know the organization and felt that the Banyan team would be very supportive of the mission of 4KIDS of South Florida,” said Brandy Voss, Banyan’s Spirit Committee Director.

Last month, Banyan volunteers worked every Saturday to renovate a donated house by repairing drywall, fixing sprinklers, painting rooms, and working on landscaping. In addition, Banyan teammates support the nonprofit with donations through payroll deductions.

4KIDS of South Florida is a nonprofit organization committed to meeting the needs of thousands of children in foster care. From the moment a child is removed from their family because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, this organization provides for them physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. 4KIDS has over 100 licensed foster homes and foster families, twelve family-style homes, and cares for over 1000 children each year. For more information about 4KIDS of South Florida, or to register for the BiG Cardio Event, visit
www.4KIDSofSFL.org.

Visit 4KIDS of South Florida to learn what you can do to help

To see the latest Banyan projects or view pictures from the Boca House Project, become a Banyan fan on Facebook.

Although many lives were devastated by the earthquake that struck Haiti in January, those who survived it faced additional challenges. A young 11-year old girl named Yadissa was one of those who survived, and this is her story.

Yadissa and her family survived the earthquake, but because of the destruction around them, they had to look for the bare necessities to survive. While going to buy food, she was struck by a vehicle and suffered severe damage to her pelvis.

“She had walked five hours from her rural town into Port-au-Prince with $7 to buy supplies for her family,” said Tina O’Keeffe of Banyan Air Service.

Thanks to C.A.R.E., Yadissa was flown to Banyan at FXE and from there she was taken to Broward General Medical Center where she got the care that she needed.

After weeks of treatment, C.A.R.E. coordinated with Banyan to use of one their hangars to give Yadissa a going home party on Friday March 26^th. Many people who helped Yadissa attended including Dr. Bonnell and his team from Broward General Medical Center, Peter Simpson the pilot who flew her to Banyan, C.A.R.E., and Banyan team members. The next day the GIV crew from Owens-Illinois Inc. flew her home.

Although there is still a lot of work that needs to be done it Haiti, a reunion of a daughter and her family will put a smile on the face of a few.

To watch the story of Yadissa’s landing in Fort Lauderdale visit WSVN-TV 7News, they were at Banyan the night she landed.

To learn more about C.A.R.E. visit their Facebook Page.

To learn more about Banyan become a Fan on Facebook.

A nice compliment in the Twin Commander March Fleet Briefing.

“BANYAN AT CENTER OF HAITAIN RELIEF EFFORTS

Banyan Air Service, a Twin Commander authorized service center at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, has been a focal point of general aviation Haitian relief efforts.

Immediately after the earthquake Banyan President Don Campion offered Banyan’s help in 24-hour support of aircraft staging for the long flight to Haiti. His wife, Sueanne, quickly became involved in helping to coordinate relief efforts along with Robin Eissler, who established Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (CARE).

They have set up a public Facebook site to chronicle their efforts and recognize the people and companies that have contributed to the relief effort. In early March Eissler reported that since January 12, there have been 670 relief flights to Haiti that have carried 3400 passengers and 1,100,000 pounds of supplies. “Our work continues as we still have about 2-3 flights a day,” she wrote.

For more see http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=345189284760&ref=nf and a YouTube video thanking the many volunteers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY73K82kFi8.”

To learn about how you can participate in the Haiti relieft vistion the Banyan Haiti Relief Page or contact Robin@Jet-Quest.com or Sueanne@banyanair.com of Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.). To follow more about what Banyan is doing, become a Banyan Fan on Facebook or follow Banyan on Twitter.

When Garmin announced in October 2009 that they were discontinuing one of their most popular aviation units, the Garmin 396, I knew something bigger was on the horizon. Or, in the Garmin aera 510′s case, something “smaller” was on the horizon.

Introducing the Garmin aera 510

FINALLY! Garmin implemented their touch-screen technology from their popular automotive units and put them into their new Garmin aera series aviation portables. Actually, it would probably be more accurate to say that they’ve taken their aviation technology and put it into their nuvi automotive line. Regardless, I think they hit the mark with the new Garmin aera 510 aviation portable.

In a nutshell, they took the Garmin 396, put it into a nuvi widescreen body and lowered the price by almost $200. The Garmin aera 510 has a larger screen than the Garmin 396: 3.81″W x 2.25″H; 4.3″ diaginal (aera 510), 3.2″W x 2.1″H; 3.8″ diaginal (GPSMAP 396), and a much smaller body: 5.3″W x 3.3″H x .9″D (aera 510), 5.7″W x 3.2″H x 1.9″D (GPSMAP 396). The aera 510 is also almost 5 ounces lighter than the 396.

Garmin aera 510 & Garmin 396 Side-By-Side Comparison

As I mentioned previously, I’m glad to see Garmin has finally given us aviation portables with touchscreen technology. I was surprised to find that it doesn’t display your aircraft’s position over the charts and plates, like the Bendix/King AV80R Ace, but I don’t think we’ll have to wait too long for that feature.

C.A.R.E (Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies) has done so much to assist with the Haiti relief, providing over 1,000,000 lbs of supplies and around the clock flight coordination, and although they have many success stories that will draw on your heart strings, this is just one of those stories.

While on a relief mission to Haiti, C.A.R.E’s first canine passenger, a rescue dog named Tejyl became a hero. Joe (Tejyl’s handler) and Tejyl went down to assist with the devastation of the earthquake and lent a paw in finding people trapped in the Hotel Montana. Amidst the rubble and debris Tejyl befriended a 15 year old girl named Ruthnie, but unlike most young girls, Ruthnie is a double amputee. Although Joe and Tejyl could not help her on their first mission, they did not forget Ruthnie, and with the assistance of C.A.R.E they worked endlessly to find a way to get her out of Haiti and to get her medical help.

Removing Ruthnie from Haiti was not an easy mission, but Joe, Tejyl and C.A.R.E did not let anything deter them.  After tireless coordination between two governments, four hospitals, two fire departments and a lot of NGOs on March 3^rd their mission was accomplished.

Joe and Tejyl, with the assistance of C.A.R.E went back to Haiti to fly Ruthnie away from the destruction and to Bellevue Hospital in New York where a surgeon had volunteered to provide the medical care Ruthnie so badly needed. Tejyl remained dutifully by Ruthnie’s side. It was as if Tejyl knew through canine senses that Ruthnie was much worse off then everyone originally believed and knew she would need a friend. From the earthquake in Haiti to landing in New York, Ruthnie endured more than most of us could every dream…and though it all she had hope.

Banyan was proud to be one of the stops that Ruthnie made on her journey to New York. We are all keeping her in our thoughts and prayers

Jim Parker is a friend of Banyan and frequently flys out of Banyan.

Dear Fellow Pilots,

Two of the more active “hubs” for organizing Haitian relief flights by private aviation volunteers are shutting down:  Bahamas Habitat has ended it’s operation in Nassau and Go-Ministries in Santiago, Dominican Republic is shutting down it distribution/coordination center.  I will continue to take  emails from any of you flying missions for other organization.  Always glad to help with advice or support here on the ground in Santo Domingo.

Commercial flights are now available to Port of Prince from Miami.  Beginning March 12, commercial flights will be available from Santiago and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Port of Prince.  There are also commercial flights from Ft Lauderdale to Cape Haitian.  In addition, rhe UN has begun regular passenger service from Port of Prince to Jacmel, Las Cayes and Jeremie from using helicopters and a Cessna Caravan.

Occasional needs will arise to shuttle doctors and medicines from the Dominican Republic to/from outlying Haitian airports but these will be sporadic.  I’ll do what I can to help with my C172RG here in Santo Domingo.

Many of you have flown volunteer missions in support of Haitian relief, donating your time, aircraft and money.  You efforts have made a difference, giving hope and assistance to thousands in desperate need of food, tents and medical care.

Well done and Best Regards,  Jim Parker

to contact Jim email you can email him at jim@caribbeanflyingadventures.com

A nice compliment from FltPlan.com-

“Thanks to Banyan Air Services for Relief Efforts in Haiti

We at FltPlan.com wanted to give special recognition to the efforts of Banyan Air Services at FXE. They have been the heart of the Haiti relief efforts by the general aviation community. It has been a true pleasure to work with them to offer assistance to this important initiative. We would especially like to thank Michael O’Keeffe whose personal involvement with our team and the FAA has been paramount to this mission. We are appreciative that Mike considered FltPlan.com one of the best ways to reach pilots with pertinent information.”

To learn about how you can participate in the Haiti relief visit the Banyan Haiti Relief Page or contact Robin@Jet-Quest.com or Sueanne@banyanair.com of Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.)

Flying in the sky is one thing, but for 14 student pilots from both Ireland and Kazakhstan participating in an international weekend flight to the Bahamas will be a new experience for many of them.

Thanks to the assistance of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism on Friday March 5^th a large group of 13 aircraft and 31 people made up of students and instructors flew, out of Banyan on their way to Nassau in The Bahamas.

Barry Gargan, one of the students participating in the flight said, “This is my first time to fly on an international trip. I’ll be piloting the aircraft with my instructor, Carlton McLean and I’m looking forward to it.”

Once in Nassau, the students have the option of either relaxing on the beaches and exploring the island or participating in an Island Fly-Out to Staniel Cay where they will be able to partake in a sightseeing boat tour around the island.

To ensure the safety during this international flight all the students were required to meet all the prerequisites and participate in an in-depth briefing about the trip as well as garner as much additional information about such things as weather conditions and destination as they could.

Flight Instructor, Carlton McLean, has flown to The Bahamas several times, but even for him, traveling with such a large group is a new experience.

“Previously I’ve flown to The Bahamas with 2 – 4 aircraft and today it’s 13 aircraft. The logistics of getting everyone and everything ready has been our goal. We want everything to go smoothly, the documentation, eAPIS, etc and I feel confident we have everything 100% ready,” said Carlton McLean.

Banyan was proud to be the kickoff point for this Fly-Out and hope that every student gets the experience of a lifetime.

1. The great fleet of general aviation aircraft is the mainspring of a $20 billion a year industry which generates more than $102 billion in economic activity. (AOPA)
2. Thousands of communities benefit as their airports create a positive ripple effect in the local economy. Manufacturers in the know set up shop within 10 miles of public-use airports, which allow them to send time-critical parts and material to customers. Businesses reap competitive advantages through access to nearby airports, while residents gain jobs. (www.gaservasmerica.com)
3. General aviation offers the most efficient and cost-effective way to conduct wildlife surveys, map wetland losses and soil erosion, follow bird migrations, patrol parklands and detect pipeline spills. (AOPA)
4. GA supports almost 1.3 million high-skill, high-wage jobs in professional services and in manufacturing.

The perfect way to spend a chilly afternoon in Florida is with the 2010 1^st Annual Maintenance Team Chili-Soup Cook-off competition that was coordinated by Dave Valenta and his team of committee members. Dave and his dedicated team spent a lot of time developing a very organized and regulated competition. They provided each of the 22 contestants with a list of official rules to be followed and information on how their chili was going to be judged. The competitors had to purchase all their ingredients from a store (i.e. No Roadkill), prepare enough to be judged (min of 2 quarts), bring the chili pre-cooked, and provide their own serving utensils. The judging started promptly at 11 am and it took the 5 judges (Mike O’Keeffe, Jim Barcel, Priscilla Strickland, Kathy Knowles and Lynn Juengel) over an hour to pick a winner. The chili was provided to the judges anonymously, and identified only by a number. Not only did the competitors have to follow rules and regulations, Dave and his team even developed official guidelines for the judges, such as, once the judges had finished tasting a chili they were not allowed to re-taste it. Judges were required to use new spoons on each chili and were forbidden to talk to each other until the judging was complete. Each judge was provided a rating form on which they rated all 22 chili’s on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best) in 4 main categories; color, consistency, aroma, and spice and flavor.

After the judging was completed (but, wisely before the winner was announced), the rest of the team members were invited in for a chili lunch on a chilly day. The team went all out and a number of people volunteered to bring in chips, pasta, cornbread, hot dogs and a variety of desserts, making it more like a full-blown buffet. Everyone was given a half hour to eat and try all the different chili’s before the winner was announced, and each contestant was quick to point out their chili, and to recommend theirs.

Although the competition was close, three contestants rose above the rest. 3^rd place went to Dan Day, 2^nd place went to Russell Otowchits, and the 1^st place winner was Paul Baran. Each winner received a framed chili-winner award and a chili-winner ribbon. First place winner Paul got the inspiration for creating his winning chili from his son, who cooks his chili by adding things bit by bit and letting each item cook for a while instead of throwing everything into the pot at once and walking away. Paul used his son’s method and took away the blue. Dave and his team put a great deal of time into providing a wonderful cook-off experience, and hope to continue this competition and turn it into a tradition.