[traceroute66]

> if someone is willing to risk their own safety

Except its not "their own safety".

If the guy crashes, or runs out of fuel, or has a mechanical fault, or, or .....

What happens then ?

Oh yeah, that's right, the professionals have to come scoop up the remains.

Its all fun and games playing the hero, until the fun stops.

[Kim_Bruning]

I'm willing to believe he was flying according to FAA regulations, which includes flying a properly maintained and fueled aircraft and taking all applicable hazards into account. (This is the basic assumption of good faith. That and I presume he has a license which says he's able to operate his helicopter competently and safely.)

[_djo_]

Is he trained in search and rescue? Flying into and landing in confined spaces? Assessing the suitability of disaster landing zones in terms of surface quality and debris?

None of that is part of the regular FAA-regulated private pilot training syllabus.

[traceroute66]

As the above poster said about training.

But also I suspect his insurance company would have a thing or two to say about operating in disaster areas.