November 2005

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

ALEA  E-Newsletter

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San Diego Deputies Receive American Red Cross "Real Heroes" Award

On Tuesday, October 28th, San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputies Mark Johnston and Scott Bligh received the American Red Cross "Real Heroes" Award. Johnston and Bligh were assigned to Sheriff’s helicopter ASTREA-1 on November 27, 2004, when they received a call to assist a hiker.  The woman had fallen and broken her leg on Villager Peak in the Anza Borrego State Park.

Upon arrival, the crew located the victim at the 2,500 foot level in a narrow and steep rock canyon. Just after noon, Deputy Johnston piloted the MD530F into position and performed a "toe-in" maneuver. There was only three additional feet of rotor blade clearance and only the front portion of the helicopter’s skids were in contact with the ground. As Johnston held this precarious hover, Bligh was able to exit the aircraft and make his way to the victim.

As Johnston orbited overhead, Bligh determined that the woman had an open fracture of her lower leg, and additional rescue personnel would be necessary in order to safely extricate her from the canyon. Johnston left Bligh behind and flew several miles away to pick-up three state park rangers with the intention of flying them to Bligh’s location. Although he was only gone for 20 minutes, by the time Johnston returned to the victim’s location, the winds in the canyon had increased to 30-40 miles per hour. Johnston made several attempts to land and drop off the rangers, but he was unable to safely maneuver the helicopter in such tight quarters given the strong winds and down drafts in the canyon.

Realizing even more resources were required, Johnston radio for assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit and the U.S. Border Patrol BORSTAR Team. By 1500 hours, a Coast Guard HH-60 had arrived on scene. They made several attempts to lower additional personnel to the victim and Deputy Bligh; however, they too were unsuccessful. Even with the relatively high-powered Blackhawk, the Coast Guard pilot stated he had to use maximum continuous power several times to avoid being pushed down into the rocks by the strong down drafts.

By 1700 hours, all hope of an air rescue that day was extinguished. Deputy Bligh would have to remain with the victim in the canyon throughout the night. Deputy Johnston continued to assist his partner and the victim by shuttling personnel and equipment from the staging location several miles away to the entrance of the canyon. He made repeated trips during the night using night vision goggles.  The availability of additional air assets was all but zilch, as the overcast sky on the west side of the coastal mountains precluded non-IFR capable crews from reaching the scene.

The first team of rescuers reached Deputy Bligh and the victim at midnight. They quickly realized there was no way to safely carry the woman out of the dark canyon given the steep, rocky terrain. It was decided that they would all spend the night and hope for better weather in the morning. Bligh worked throughout the night moving heavy boulders by hand in order to prepare a better landing zone for his partner at daybreak. Johnston spent the night with his aircraft near the entrance to the canyon.

At 0500 hours, Johnston woke to perfectly calm weather. Knowing his aircraft was critically low on fuel, he flew to an emergency fuel supply maintained by ASTREA in the mountains near Ocotillo Wells. After refueling, Johnston returned to the scene and, with visual guidance from Bligh, maneuvered into Bligh's "hand-made" rock landing zone. The victim was loaded into the aircraft and flown to the command post, where she was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Indio. Johnston and Bligh returned to the scene and shuttled the SAR personnel down to the canyon entrance. 22 hours and 45 minutes after receiving the initial call, the ASTREA deputies had safely extricated the victim and all rescuers from the canyon.

Several highly experienced SAR personnel later stated that this was one of the most demanding technical rescues they had ever been involved in. Pilot Johnston and TFO Bligh were commended for their expertise, professionalism, tenacity and teamwork.

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Airborne Law Enforcement Association's Fallen Hero Memorial

Last January, several ALEA members expressed an interest in starting a memorial web page for airborne law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty. At last, we are proud to present the "Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s Fallen Hero Memorial."

To be included in this memorial, the decedent must have died as a direct result of their assignment as aircrew in an airborne law enforcement mission of any kind, anywhere in the world, sworn or civilian, whether or not they were members of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association.

The "seed" data for this project came from ALEA member Bryn Elliott, editor of Police Aviation News, who sent me information on hundreds of airborne law enforcement fatalities dating back to the 1930’s. I took information from those files and created a database containing name, agency, date of death, type of aircraft, and a narrative memorial/eulogy. I supplemented this information with over 100 other fatalities I found on various agencies’ websites. The beautiful logo was designed by ALEA Marketing Manager Jennifer Thornton. Without the help of these two people, I could have never pulled this project off. Please thank them at your first opportunity.

At the moment, we have 336 memorials. Over half the memorials include a photograph of the fallen hero and/or a patch or badge from their agency. Visitors may also add their "thoughts and memories" of fallen heroes they knew personally and these additions will instantly become part of that memorial.

Online forms allow visitors to provided additional information for each memorial we already have or send us new information about heroes we are not aware of.

Hopefully, through our collective professionalism and dedication to safety, we will never have to add any more names to this long list of fallen heroes.

270net.com
ALEA Webmaster

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First Annual MRC Public Safety Users Forum and Training Session

Microwave Radio Communications (MRC) held its "First Annual Public Safety Users Forum and Training Session" in association with the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. The two-day conference was held at the Massachusetts State Police Hangar in Plymouth, on September 28th & 29th. The event was designed to give Massachusetts law enforcement agencies a hands-on training environment to improve their video downlink skills as well as learn about the latest technology for the future of the industry. There were over 50 participants from various agencies around Massachusetts including police, fire, rescue, EMS, and many others.

The theme of the event was an interagency day of information sharing that included hands-on training as well as a user forum. The topics covered ranged from the background of the technology and equipment, through incident related use and troubleshooting. Live exercises occurred on both days and gave application-based demonstrations. Six of the law enforcement agencies participated with their own command vehicles receiving transmissions from the Massachusetts State Police Helicopter while being coached by MRC staff and members of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. MRC plans to make this training session an annual event.

Source: Microwave Radio Communications

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Cirrus To Giving Away Loaded SR-20 To Benefit Police Survivors

Concerns of Police Survivors, also known as COPS, is a nationwide non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal government criteria.

Cirrus Design Corporation is giving away a loaded 2006 Cirrus SR-20. With each $100.00 donation, you receive one entry. The drawing will be held in the fall of 2006. The $100.00 donation is less than one hour of rental for a new Cirrus.  Click here for more details about the 2006 Cirrus SR-20G2 Give-A-Way.

Source: Cirrus Design Corporation

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Tucson Police Department Takes Delivery of Fifth JetRanger

For more than 20 years, the Tucson Police Department has been using Bell Helicopter's 206B JetRangers to patrol their skies. More than two decades and 50,000 accident free flight hours later, the Tucson Police Department took delivery of their fifth 206B-3, the first delivery in an order of two helicopters for the department.

Lieutenant Rick Middleton, Commander of the Tucson PD Air Support Unit, attributes the success of his department with Bell helicopters to the quality of Bell products, training, and support.

"This is our fifth 206B. The JetRanger is versatile, efficient and very effective in suiting the needs of municipal law enforcement," Middleton said. "It gets us in the air quickly, gives us 60-90 minutes of flight time and can travel at a speed to get us across the city quickly to respond to calls."

"We have 50,000 flight hours of Bell action," Middleton said. And that number is going to get even larger. "Last year we flew 1,500 hours. With these two new helicopters we are going to increase that to 3,300 starting in December. We are anxious to get this aircraft back to Tucson and get it in the air on Friday looking for bad guys."

Source: Bell Helicopter

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Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit in London Turns 25

November 2005 marks 25-year anniversary of the Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit in London. Police Aviation News has released a special edition to commemorate the event. The online publication is loaded with over 20 images and details documenting law enforcement aviation in the UK dating back to the 1920’s. 

The anniversary of the unit will be marked by a "Black Tie" dinner and dance event in London.  ALEA President Dan Schwarzbach and Northeastern Region Director Glenn Daley will be in attendance.  The two board members will be in London laying the foundation for the first-ever European ALEA Safety Seminar to be held late next year.

You may view this anniversary special edition of PAN via the ALEA website.

Source: Police Aviation News

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480B Guardian Law Enforcement Helicopter Completes Northwest Demo Tour

Enstrom Helicopter Corp.’s newly configured 480B Guardian completed a Northwest Tour visiting 12 police and sheriff’s offices on it’s route from Menominee Michigan to Los Angeles, California. The Guardian is currently being evaluated by the Pasadena Police for patrol work.

On the Northwest flight, the 480B Guardian stopped at the Minnesota State Patrol and South Dakota State patrol, along with several Sheriff’s and Police Departments in Montana, Washington, Oregon and Northern California. There the helicopter was flown by police pilots to get a feel for the response and capability of the Guardian. The 480B Guardian is outfitted with the latest in police technology including a front mounted camera, a digital video recorder/monitor system and search light.

Between the ALEA tour, the East coast tour and now the Northwest tour, Enstrom has visited over 27 police precincts and over 40 police pilots have had the opportunity to fly the Guardian.

Source: Enstrom Helicopter

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Recurrent Training Center Installs New Department for ALEA Members

Recurrent Training Center is celebrating its 17th anniversary this month. John Killeen, President and founder of Recurrent Training Center, has arranged for Lt. Larry ZonFrilli to become head of RTC’s new Government Contracts Department. Lt. ZonFrilli, a retired police officer, will be contacting ALEA Members shortly to assist them with scheduling pilot proficiency training. "We realize that a lot of government budgets are tight", said Killeen. "We are hoping that we can help our flying officers get the training they need and deserve in order to perform their flying duties safely at a price that fits into the budget."

RTC trains pilots for all piston engine planes, both twin and single, and King Air (B90, 100’s & 200’s). RTC has the only full sized, full visual, fully enclosed simulators for Skymaster and Cessna 182 pilots. They have seven simulators in total, including a Navajo/Seneca, a Baron & King Air and world’s only Cessna 340 sim for Twin Cessna pilots.

Source: Recurrent Training Center

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Tyler Technologies Finalizes Special Operations Platform STC for Bell 407

Tyler Technologies, a division of Tyler Camera Systems, Inc. has finalized its Tyler Special Operations Platform (TSOP) FAA Supplemental Type Certificate for the Bell 407 Helicopter (STC Number SR01826LA).

The new BH407 TSOP enhances the capabilities of the helicopter and makes tactical helicopter missions safer, easier, & more efficient. The TSOP consists of externally mounted cargo platforms on each side of the helicopter for transporting and deploying personnel. The TSOP mounts to the skid cross-tubes with special quick-clamps without any modification to the airframe.

Additionally, the STC includes approval to carry external crewmembers under Part 133 external loads operations. "Crewmembers or other persons necessary for the conduct of the external load operations may be carried in accordance with 14 CFR section 133.35."

Source: Tyler Technologies

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Sikorsky Buys Keystone and Composite Technology

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced an agreement to acquire two ALEA Affiliate Members:  Keystone Ranger Holdings, Inc. and Composite Technology Inc. (CTI).

Keystone specializes in full-service engineering, completion and technical support for commercial helicopters, and air medical flight operations.  CTI, a Keystone subsidiary, is headquartered in Grand Prairie Texas, with substantial rotor blade and composite structures overhaul capabilities with branch locations in Canada, Brazil, UK, and Singapore.

The finalization of the transaction is subject to the approval of the U.S. government and other regulatory authorities, as well as certain other conditions. The leadership of both companies has approved the transaction. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Keystone will continue to operate under the Keystone brand name as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sikorsky.

Keystone and CTI employ approximately 650 workers with consolidated annual sales for 2004 of approximately $100 million.

Source: Keystone

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AEC to Re-Engine and Upgrade U.S. Coast Guard’s HH-65 Fleet

American Eurocopter has received a subcontract from Lockheed Martin to re-engine and upgrade the U.S. Coast Guard’s HH-65 Dolphin helicopter fleet under the Integrated Deepwater System program.

Under terms of the contract, American Eurocopter will manage the conversion of 11 HH-65B helicopters to the upgraded HH-65C version at the company’s Columbus, Miss., facility, with the work planned for completion in late 2006. The contract also contains an option for upgrading six additional HH-65s.

This work will assist the Coast Guard’s ongoing conversion of its entire HH-65 fleet to the improved-performance HH-65C model, which is already underway at the Coast Guard Aircraft and Supply Center in Elizabeth City, N.C. Opening the second re-engining line at American Eurocopter’s Columbus facility will provide additional capacity to accelerate the rate at which HH-65Cs can be upgraded.

Source: American Eurocopter
Photo:  Glenn Grossman

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Iowa Helicopter Announces Support Of Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Iowa area law enforcement agencies will receive two hours of helicopter support each month, at no cost, as a result of a donation from Iowa Helicopter, based at the Ankeny, Iowa Regional Airport. The announcement was made to central Iowa police chiefs and mayors on Wednesday evening in Clive, at the monthly meeting of the Mid-Iowa Association of Local Governments.

“This is an opportunity for our growing business to give back to the community,” says Dr. David Stilley, Vice President of Iowa Helicopter. “There are no strings attached to our offer. Communities can use the donated time for Amber Alerts, searching for an elderly patient that has wandered from a care facility, or even flying a couple of officers into a school for a DARE presentation. It is really up to the local agencies and what their needs are,” he adds.

Iowa Helicopter operates two aircraft from the Ankeny airport, including the four-passenger Robinson R44 and the two-passenger Robinson R22. According to chief pilot John McLaughlin, most of the law enforcement support will be done with the R44 because it can cruise at 130 miles an hour and stay airborne for more than three hours if needed. The company has an instructor pilot based in Ankeny for quick response time if a helicopter is needed during an emergency situation. Flights will be done by experienced commercial-rated pilots or certified helicopter flight instructors.

According to McLaughlin, “This is just another aviation asset that is available to local governments, along with highway patrol aircraft and the hospital helicopters. Clearly there are missions a helicopter can do that a fixed-wing aircraft or unit on the ground cannot. Until such a time that the area has a dedicated police helicopter, we will pitch in an help when requested.”

Source: Iowa Helicopter

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Indonesian Navy Selects L-3 Communications WESCAM MX-15

L-3 Communications WESCAM has been selected by PZL-Mielec to supply vital imaging sensors needed for the Indonesian Navy’s fully integrated airborne surveillance solution. The order includes a total of seven MX-15 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging turrets, with ongoing deliveries scheduled through September 2006. The order will position Indonesia as the leading user of MX-15 sensors for maritime surveillance, anti-piracy, fisheries patrol and search and rescue in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

Source: L-3 Communications

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China's First Police Pilot Training Course

Chinese police are taking serious steps towards a more proactive airborne law enforcement program. Currently, there are only ten police helicopter units in existence in China, but a new cadre of officers is currently undergoing the first-ever certified police pilot training program. Six trainees are attending the 20-day course, and will study everything from helicopter maintenance issues to air traffic aspects and weather. The Police Aviation Management Office, under the Ministry of Public Security, hopes to increase the number of police helicopters to 50 over the next five years. Government officials are hopeful that increasing their airborne law enforcement assets will provide meaningful assistance to the country’s estimated 1.7 million police officers.

Source: China Daily

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For rates and availability, contact:

Jennifer Thornton
ALEA Marketing Manager
Phone (918) 599-0705
Fax (918) 583-2353
E-mail: jthornton@alea.org

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ALEA’s Monthly E-Newsletters are designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry.  Our E-Newsletters are distributed by email, as an additional benefit to our membership. Anyone may join our mailing list.
 

This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. The ALEA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in law enforcement and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of aircraft by law enforcement agencies.

© Copyright 2005 by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the ALEA.

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.
411 Aviation Way
Suite 200
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone (301) 631-2406
Fax (301) 631-2466