January 2006

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

ALEA  E-Newsletter

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ALEA Announces Hiring of Executive Director

The Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Stephen J. Ingley as our next Executive Director. Steve is currently the Executive Director of the American Jail Association (AJA), a 4,200 member, national, 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation based in Hagerstown, Maryland. He has worked at AJA for 17 years, the last 13 as Executive Director. His duties have included overseeing many of the same types of programs and services as those offered by the ALEA.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics with a minor in philosophy from the University of Maryland. While there, he was also a Teacher Assistant in Criminal Justice. He has been very active in both the Criminal Justice and Association Management fields, compiling an extensive list of completed continuing education courses, published articles, presentations and public appearances, professional affiliations, and committees and advisory councils on which he has served. Steve possesses strong knowledge, skills, and abilities in managing a nonprofit organization, and has a proven track record of success and a history of long-term commitment. He has expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to work for the ALEA and is looking forward to the challenges it presents.

ALEA's search for a new Executive Director was prompted by current Executive Director Sherry Hadley's decision to not relocate from Tulsa as the Association returns their base of operations to the Washington DC metro area in the first quarter of 2006. Due to contractual obligations with his current job, Steve's first day for ALEA will be March 20, 2006. Sherry has graciously offered to continue serving as Executive Director until her successor's first day.

In a related development, the ALEA Board of Directors is equally pleased to announce that Sherry has agreed to remain affiliated with the Association, serving on a contractual basis as our Meeting Planner and Coordinator. This is an area of keen interest for Sherry, and one in which she has excelled during her tenure as Executive Director. It is truly a bonus for the Association to be able to retain her services in this area.

I speak for the entire Board when I welcome Steve and share in his excitement about the future of ALEA. Additionally, we thank Sherry for her continued commitment to the Association and share in her enthusiasm for her new role as we all work together to take ALEA to the next level.

Dan

Daniel B. Schwarzbach
President, Airborne Law Enforcement Association

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ALEA Participates in International Helicopter Safety Team

Improving rotary wing safety will soon have an international advocate. The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) is set to approve its inaugural charter early this month. The IHST was formed last September at the International Helicopter Safety Symposium in Montreal, Canada.

Focusing on individual areas of safety and historical accident/incident information, IHST plans to utilize the input and experience of pilots and air traffic controllers from around the world.

Strategy implementation and monitoring will be in the forefront, as aviation regulators and industry representatives concentrate efforts and resources on reducing helicopter accidents by 80 percent. ALEA is a member of IHST, as are major helicopter safety organizations, helicopter manufacturers, the FAA, European Aviation Safety Agency, Transport Canada and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

For more information contact Keith Johnson, ALEA Safety Coordinator.

Source: Flight International.com

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U.S. Legislation Makes Aiming Laser Pointers at Aircraft A Federal Felony

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation specifically aimed at deterring the use of laser pointers to distract pilots. The FAA created a reporting system to track specific incidents after seeing an increase in December 2004. Since then, 287 reports have been filed by both helicopter and fixed-wing pilots who were "lased".

Some laser pointers on the market can reach up to 30,000 feet and may cause temporary blindness, disorientation, and/or permanent damage to pilots’ eyes. Warnings were sent out to law enforcement agencies a year ago from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warning of evidence that lasers have been considered by terrorists as potential weapons.

While there have been domestic cases tried under the U.S. Patriot Act, the new crime bill would fill any gaps in current federal law where the Patriot Act does not apply. The bill, which provides very stiff penalties including 5 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines, is expected to get quick approval as it moves to the U.S. Senate.

Source: The Washington Post

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Garland Police Poised to Start New Copter Program

The City Council in Garland, Texas has approved a plan to purchase a police helicopter. The American Eurocopter AS350B2 will make Garland the only Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of its size to have a dedicated police helicopter. Although it was a close vote, the Department hopes to have the new aircraft operational by December 2006.

Source: The Dallas Morning News

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Volusia Sheriff Air Unit Eyes New Hangar

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Air One helicopters will soon have a new home. The current accommodations located at Daytona Beach International Airport are dwarfed in comparison to the 12,000 square foot hangar located at DeLand Municipal Airport. The proposed site also has an additional 8,000 square feet of office space. The current plan is to house the entire Special Services unit which includes traffic, dive recovery, police dogs, bomb squad, range, and marine patrols as well as the helicopters. Using DeLand will put the units in a more centralized position in the county. The $2 million price tag is on track to be approved by the County Council this month.

Source: The Daytona Beach News-Journal

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ALEA Election Notification

In accordance with Section 4.04 of the ALEA by-laws, nominations for the offices of Vice President, Secretary, Northeast Region Director, Eastern Region Director, and Western Region Director for the 2006 – 2008 term were accepted from November 1st through December 15th, 2005.

The following members were nominated, accepted the nomination, and their eligibility to hold the office for which they were nominated was verified:

• VICE PRESIDENT
  Kevin R. Caffery (incumbent) – Captain, Erie County New York Sheriffs Department Aviation
   

• SECRETARY
  Thomas J. Hill (Assistant Secretary) – Continued Professional, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Aviation
  Martin L. Jackson (incumbent) – Lieutenant / Pilot, Texas DPS Aircraft
   

• NORTHEAST REGION DIRECTOR
  Glenn A. Daley (incumbent) – Eagle One Police Aviation, Fairfield Ct.
   

• EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR
  Phillip H. Bender (incumbent) – Sergeant / Pilot, Ohio State Highway Patrol
   

• WESTERN REGION DIRECTOR
  Gregg H. Weitzman (incumbent) - Continued Professional, Santa Barbara County California Sheriff’s Department

Each voting member will receive a ballot on or about May 1, 2006. This ballot will include a list of voting instructions and sufficient postage for return mail. All ballots must be received by the Secretary no later than Friday, June 16, 2006.

Martin L. Jackson, Secretary
Airborne Law Enforcement Association

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San Bernardino Sheriff and AEC Co-Sponsor Aircrew Training

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit has teamed-up with American Eurocopter to host a one-day seminar for aircrew members in the Southwestern United States. Officer Jack Schonely will be presenting his "Suspect Tactics and Perimeter Containment" class from 0900 to 1500 hours on Wednesday, January 11, 2006. The class is free and so is lunch, courtesy of American Eurocopter.

The event will be held in the terminal building at San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD), formerly Norton Air Force Base. Attendees can fly-in via fixed-wing or helicopter. RSVP no later than Monday, January 9, 2006. For more information contact Deputy Mike Ells at (909) 356-3800.

Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department

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Workshop For U.K. Public Service Operations

Those involved in the support and acquisition of helicopters for police and public service in the U.K. have an opportunity to learn the finer points and procedures of procurement in an upcoming workshop at Oxford University. Begbroke Science Park will host the February 23, 2006 workshop.

Forum leaders will hold discussion groups focusing on the following areas: operational requirements, lease versus buy, current suppliers in the U.K., home office framework, warranties, spare part provisions, and acquisition. Those with experience as both a customer and a vendor will offer their insight and help participants evaluate both project risks and concerns regarding the process.

Operational and contract staff interested in expanding their knowledge on the subject can contact the organizers at +44 1608 642231 or e-mail enquiries@helimetrics.com. A fee of £480 is required with discounts available for multiple bookings from public sector organizations.

Source: Helimetrics Ltd.

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The Phoenix Police Department has sold nine MD 520Ns and one Schweizer 300C to Heli-Mart, Inc. of Costa Mesa, CA. In addition to the airframes, the agency also unloaded roughly $1.5 million worth of spare parts and engines. This is part of a fleet-wide replacement program for the agency, whose has swapped-out all their MD products for a mix of AEC AS350B3s and Augusta A119s and A109s.

Source:  Rotorhub

AFS Certifies Engine Filter For Bell 206B (OH-58A/C) Helicopters

Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) has received a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for Bell 206B helicopters.

The approval clears the way for commercial operators of Bell 206Bs to maximize engine protection while reaping performance and maintenance benefits from combat-proven military technology. The system may also be used by OH-58A and OH-58C operators.

The IBF system for Bell 206Bs features flat filter assemblies and an integral bypass design. The filter may be replaced via a quick access door in just 15 minutes. An integral maintenance aid allows for on-condition maintenance between established cleaning intervals, eliminating unnecessary service.

Source: Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc.

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NAT Announces NVIS Compatible Airborne Telephone Dialer/Adapter

Northern Airborne Technology Ltd. (NAT) announced production of the PTA12-300 Digital Telephone Dialer/Adapter, with NVIS Green B lighting and display.

The PTA12-300 Dialer/Adapter is a compact Dzus mounted telephone interface with a full function touchtone keypad and LED display. Utilizing the two wire POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) interface from the telephone, the PTA12-300 provides complete telecom control and standard DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) dialing capabilities. Speed dial allows numbers to be stored and recalled from memory.

The interface allows the flight crew to access the telephone system through the aircraft’s audio system, maintaining full headset/helmet operation. A handset can also be used in parallel with the PTA12-300 to provide satcom system access for the cabin. The PTA12-300 can be used with many of today’s airborne telephone systems including Globalstar™, Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, and airborne cellular.

Source: Northern Airborne Technology Ltd.

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Flight Management Systems Delivers Moving Map to ILEAS

Flight Management Systems delivered a FMS Moving Map System to the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, (ILEAS).

The fully digital, GIS-based, GPS-coupled mapping system has been installed in the OH-58 operated by the Countryside Police Department.

FMS was able to provide a basic system with a short lead-time, and is updating the system with parcel and orthophoto layers, as they become available from the surrounding counties.

Countryside Police Chief Tim Swanson says, "We are presently using it on a statewide basis and plan to add the photo layers for the flight crews by county, as we expand our service".

The system incorporates some unique technological innovations and customer driven enhancements. One challenge was to incorporate the road network for the entire state of Illinois into the map, but search for addresses filtered by proximity to the helicopter. For example, there are over 150 "Main Streets" in Illinois.

Source: Flight Management Systems

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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 2006 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