VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES THESSALONIKI AEROCLUB 2007 – 2022
- During the period 2007-2022, the Thessaloniki Aeroclub provided at least 3 from its planes every year for aerial surveillance of forests from fires and all water resources from pollution in the Prefectures of Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, activity in which they participated voluntarily above 120 aircraft pilots, 3 aircraft engineers, 3 observers, 1 administrative employee and 1 appointed coordinator of the Volunteer Program.
- Total carried out 2,183 flight hours for the aerial surveillance of the forests of the Prefectures of Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki from fires, with special attention always paid to the area of Mount Athos and the suburban forest of our city of Sheikh-Shu, as well as to the identification pollutants in the Thermaikos Gulf, the bays of Halkidiki and the other water resources of our region, always in communication via radio with the Fire Department administration and the other competent Authorities.
- A total of 1000 were identified. 153 fires before they can take hold and were made in total 21 emergency operations with our planes at the request of the Fire Department.
- A total of 1000 were identified. 63 cases pollution in the Thermaikos Gulf, the Axios River and the other water resources of our region and the Coast Guard was immediately informed.
- Our planes flew a total of over 10 exits for research and identification missing persons, following requests from both the authorities of Northern Greece and the relatives of the missing persons, several of which had a happy ending.
- We successfully participated with at least one of our planes and two crew members. in every big exercise which was organized by the Fire Department throughout the period.
- The Volunteer Pilot Group of the Thessaloniki Aeroclub, after appropriate training lasting 25 hours, numbers a total of 135 volunteer operators.
- We welcomed over 100,000 people to our facilities. 20,000 students through organized visits from schools of all levels and from all the Prefectures of Northern Greece. students In addition to introducing them to the airplane and professional orientation, we also inform them about volunteering, the environment and its protection.
- Our patrols, beyond the critical summer fire season, continue in the forests, in the Thermaikos Gulf, in rivers and other water areas, almost daily throughout the year.
- For emergency needs, there is always 1 our aircraft with 2 members crew at the disposal of the authorities throughout the year.
- There is a standing instruction to all our pilots, so that when performing any type of flight, they search their route for fires and pollutants, paying particular attention to Mount Athos, the Sheikh Su, the forest Kouri and the Chortiatis.
- At the same time, we monitor for any suspicious movements motorcycles, cars or pedestrians on forest paths and dirt roads, immediately informing the Police and, if necessary, 100, while, at the same time, we attempt to pass over the suspicious vehicles to see that we have noticed their presence and, if they had any bad intentions, to think again before carrying them out.
The total operating expenses for the period, which cover fuel, insurance premiums, maintenance, repairs, etc. of the airplanes, exceeded the amount of 600.000 € and was covered for the most part by the volunteer pilots themselves, except for the last three years, during which the cost was covered by the kind sponsorship of the company Hellenic Gold S.A., which, in fact, adopted one of our airplanes.
Finally, it is worth mentioning the fact that, for all its above activities, the Thessaloniki Aeroclub was awarded in 2000 with the Athens Academy Award and in 1991 with the Highest International Aviation Award (Diploma d'honneur) from the International Aeronautical Federation (FAI).
THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR
DINOS GEORGIADIS
AIRPORT GOVERNOR.
