HLP First Dedicated Heavy Lift Operation to Ponce!

On January 17th, HLP completed its first "Dedicated Heavy Lift"

operation into Ponce Puerto Rico! Carrying 22,000 lbs of relief supplies from CRT, Skechers & the Carlos Beltran Foundation, Another Joy Foundation, The University of Alabama, and Toys for Tots! The mission was accomplished at a very low cost by HLP and partner Jet Test and Transport by piggybacking on an aircraft delivery operation for Safair, a South African airline. Jet Test was contracted to deliver the empty aircraft to Johannesburg, South Africa from where it was converted in Tampa Florida into a full freighter configuration. The Flight operated as JTN7185 from Tampa to Ponce Puerto Rico with the load, and then proceeded empty to Johannesburg via fuel stops in Barbados, Cape Verde, and Lagos Nigeria. HLP through its partners and private donors covered the fuel cost, handling cost, and with the help of CRT performed all of the unloading, palletizing, and loading of the aircraft. HLP co-founders (and Jet Test Pilots) Steve Giordano, Bob Allen, and Aidan Allen piloted the aircraft, a Boeing 737-400F which used to be a passenger configured aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines.