News Release

Notice of Flight Operations - December 2017

Park management requires routine use of aircraft

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 6, 2017

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces the following upcoming flight plans for December 2017:  

• December 12, between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., to fly supplies and crews for petrel monitoring from the Kīlauea helipad at 4,000’ elevation to Mauna Loa at 9,000 feet and back. 
• December 14, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., for invasive fountain grass surveys and control, from Kīlauea helipad to the southwest boundary and to Keauhou below 2,500’ elevation.
• December 19 and 20, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. both days, to transport crew from Kīlauea helipad to upper Kahuku Unit at the 8,000-ft. elevation for an anthropological study. 

In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. 
 
Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.

-NPS-