Rotorcraft
Civil helicopters provide support to the Gulf Coast
The TV news might have focused on the contributions of military rotary-wing aircraft– notably hoist-fitted UH-60 Black Hawks from the National Guard and Ja

The TV news might have focused on the contributions of military rotary-wing aircraft– notably hoist-fitted UH-60 Black Hawks from the National Guard and Jayhawks from the U.S. Coast Guard–in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but commercial helicopters also played an influential and in many cases heroic role in the unfolding drama. Whether activated by FEMA or a benevolent manufacturer, dozens of rotorcraft became involved in the first 24 hours after the disaster.