June 2007

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

ALEA  E-Newsletter

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New Jersey State Police Receives Modified Aircraft

Keystone Helicopter delivered the newest addition to the New Jersey State Police aircraft fleet last month. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter will perform medical evacuations and support the state's homeland security programs.

Keystone has now completed and delivered three Sikorsky S-76 aircraft to the New Jersey State Police and also provides them with maintenance support. Keystone converted the latest helicopter from an executive transport to a full medical interior with sliding side cabin doors for patient transport. The aircraft also has full command and control capabilities including a FLIR infrared system with full microwave surveillance downlinking, an AeroComputers mapping system and Technisonic’s FM system.

Source: Keystone Helicopter

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Ground Accident Causes Aircraft Damage

Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating an accident that damaged a state police helicopter as it was being towed out of a hangar last month. No one was injured in the accident, but the helicopter was seriously damaged.

The helicopter was being carted out of the hangar in preparation for a flight. As the helicopter lifted off the cart, the helicopter drifted to the right. The pilot tried to bring the helicopter back down onto the cart, but the helicopter tipped to the right and the main rotor blade hit the ground.

State police purchased the helicopter in 1990, and it is the department's oldest helicopter. It is used as a spare, with the other seven state police helicopters stationed around the state. The helicopter is insured and, at the time of the incident, it was estimated to be worth about $250,000. The insurance company will check the helicopter to see if repairs can be made or if it will be considered a total loss.

Source: http://pennlive.com/patriotnews

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Member Publishes Tactical Operations Book

ALEA past president and San Diego Police Department Flight Officer Kevin Means has penned a “how to” book on tactical helicopter operations. The book covers everything from the basic to the complex tasks of law enforcement operations to enhance the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of the airborne operation. Means takes the reader along a very well organized journey from understanding technology to dissecting the various types of missions that airborne law enforcement units are now conducting.

Although the book is not all-inclusive, Means addresses the age-old problem with law enforcement operations in confronting the “we’ve always done it this way” attitude. Realizing that it would be unrealistic to think his book can and will work for all operations, Means gives us something to ponder about all facets of a safe airborne law enforcement operation.

The book, entitled Tactical Helicopter Operations, is available through the publisher and may soon be available from ALEA online and at “The Hangar” at the upcoming Annual Conference & Exposition in Orlando.

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UK Police Test UAV

The United Kingdom’s first police remote control helicopter took off last month. Merseyside Police is using the "spy drone", fitted with CCTV cameras, mainly for tackling public disorder, monitoring traffic congestion and investigations as well as a possible role in firearms operations.

The machine weighs less than a bag of sugar, and can record images from a height of 500 feet. Video glasses allow the “pilot” to see what is being filmed and to operate the drone when out of direct sight. Originally used by the military, it is due to be operational this month for a full three-month trial, which is the first of its kind in the UK. The machine, which is flown by remote control or using pre-programmed GPS navigation systems, is silent and can be fitted with night-vision cameras.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk

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London Police Equips Fleet With Video Management

Three EC145 helicopters for London’s Metropolitan Police were fully equipped last month using Skyquest Aviation’s latest video management technology. Sergeant Richard Brandon from the Metropolitan Police said, “Skyquest’s video management system has proven to deliver everything we wanted from our mission system on board the new EC145s. It provides us with a comprehensive and leading edge video system enabling us to undertake a range of different roles without the need for re-configuring equipment. We can view, record and transmit whatever information we need. While one observer is looking at the infrared sensor, another can be viewing other sensor information from the same camera system but on a different display simultaneously.”

Single or quad view images can be recorded and transmitted via the aircraft’s microwave downlink system to ground-based receivers bringing new levels of data and information to commanders on the ground. The integration of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) computers, external hoist cameras and other mission management computers will provide much flexibility.

Source: www.skyquest.co.uk/

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Tennessee Counties Make Helicopter Deal

Tunica County (TN) Sheriff’s Office has offered to fully reimburse neighboring DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office for the costs of aviation fuel to be able to use the DeSoto County's helicopters in case of emergency situations in Tunica. "It could be anything of an emergency nature," said a Tunica spokesperson. "We just wanted to assure DeSoto County that we would cover any expenses involved." The DeSota Sheriff’s Office has two Hughes 369-A helicopters and 14 certified pilots, all volunteers.

Source: www.commercialappeal.com

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Sri Lanka Police Test Helicopters Use

Sri Lanka’s police division commenced a traffic control program last month using helicopters, and police say the test operation is proving to be successful. The helicopter crews can identify the roads with heavy traffic and the alternative roads to redirect traffic. Sri Lanka’s Air Force currently provides the helicopter and other assistance to the program conducted by the Deputy Inspector of Police Mahinda Balasuriya. Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the southern coast of India. Police plan to buy their own helicopter depending on the successful outcome of the program.

Source: www.colombopage.com

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South Africa Beefs Up Police Tools

With the South African government focusing on visible policing to deter criminals, the Minister of Safety and Security is pushing for new equipment, including several helicopters, for the South African Police Service (SAPS). The new budget announced last month includes spending $13.5 million on three new mobile command vehicles fitted with modern technology and $20.2 million on four new helicopters this year. In the next fiscal year, the police will receive another seven helicopters at a cost of $36 million. In addition to the 11 police stations built in the past financial year, four more will be built this year and an additional three will be built in 2008.

Source: www.flysouth.co.za/news

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Air 55 Will Return to Work

Last month, city officials in Hawthorne, California announced that they "found a way" to cover the costs of its police helicopter and plan to get the aircraft named Air 55 back into the air by this summer. For the last 16 months, the aircraft has been stored in a hangar, its rotor blades removed and its fuselage wrapped in protective plastic.

The city's finances have improved since last year with big increases in sales taxes, property taxes and other revenue streams. Commenting on the aircraft’s return, police said that it will “greatly enhance our ability to do our job." Air 55 is the only police helicopter dedicated full-time to the area.

Source: www.dailybreeze.com

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Arkansas Receives New State Police Plane

Arkansas State Police unveiled their agency's new aircraft last month. The Beechcraft King Air was purchased for $4 million earlier this year, which will replace a current state police airplane. Governor Mike Beebe will soon announce his updated policy for use of the state police aircraft.

Source: www.katv.com

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RCMP Selects Flight Following Provider

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), British Columbia, has chosen SkyTrac Systems to provide flight following and SATCOM solutions for its Pacific Region aircraft. Inspector Perry Edwards of the RCMP “E” Division Air Support Services said, “Our air services division operates in demanding conditions, often in remote and rugged terrain. SkyTrac’s system enhances the safety and efficiency of our operations. We anticipate working closely with SkyTrac’s engineering teams to craft a technical strategy which will meet our long term needs for SATCOM and flight following.

Kathleen Wallace, President and CEO of SkyTrac Systems noted, “It is indeed a privilege to work with the airborne division of our national police force. We acknowledge and respect the unique requirements of this industry sector and look forward to meeting the needs of law enforcement agencies worldwide.”

Source: www.skytrac.ca

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Aviation Specialties Awarded FAA Training Contract

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has been awarded a multi-year training contract for Night Vision Goggle Pilot Training of FAA personnel. The course will provide both initial and recurrent training to helicopter-rated FAA inspectors and pilots. ASU’s flight facility is located in Boise, Idaho and has training areas that can vary from high desert to rolling hills to mountainous terrain that match the geographical areas of law enforcement operations nationwide.

Source: www.asu-nvg.com

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Hydra-Tug to be Available in Orlando

The Lynco Hydra-Tug will be available for use by those displaying aircraft at ALEA’s 37th Annual Conference and Expo in Orlando to move helicopters in and out of the convention center. Any ALEA attendees interested in seeing the maneuverability and versatility of the Hydra-Tug are invited to the Fly-In on Monday, July 9, or the Fly-Out on Friday, July 13.

Lynco Tugger Corporation will be displaying this Hydra-Tug during the expo. Stop by booth 1611 to see the most advanced technology in towing equipment.

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Mike Bush Joins FLIR Law Enforcement Team

FLIR Systems is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Bush to their Airborne Law Enforcement sales team. He joins FLIR as the Business Development Manager for Airborne and Maritime Law Enforcement in the Northeast United States and brings with him an accomplished law enforcement and sales background. Mike is responsible for the sale of airborne and maritime products to state, county and local government law enforcement agencies and any other state, county and local agencies operating any combination of aircraft and marine vessels within his region.

Source: www.flir.com

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ALEA Offers Free CFI Training

Certified Flight Instructors that are engaged in the business of training police pilots may attend the third day of ALEA’s Flight Instructor Renewal/Train the Trainer Course at no charge this year in Orlando! (Non-ALEA members who would like to attend are required to pay a fee of $100 that includes ALEA membership for one year).

This year, our Flight Instructor Renewal Course (FIRC) has been expanded to three days to provide an additional session intended to focus on issues related to training law enforcement pilots. With the help of our training partners at the Bell Training Academy, we have designed a three-day FIRC, adding the third day to place greater emphasis on training trainers in light of a recommendation by the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) to have a greater impact on reducing the helicopter accident rate. We are hoping that this may stimulate greater involvement by CFIs and provide them a fantastic forum to discuss training issues with representatives from the Bell Training Academy and each other.

The eight-hour Train-the-Trainer class will take place on July 11, 2007, from 0800 to 1700 and cover the topics of crew resource management, a regulatory review of training requirements for helicopter initial and additional ratings, and a review of airborne law enforcement training accidents with specific focus on training safety with "how to teach" maneuvers to include day & night VFR, IFR, NVG and multiengine procedures.

Flight Instructors attending the full three-day course will derive maximum benefit from the outstanding training curriculum provided by the instructors from the Bell Training Academy and also fulfill the requirements for their flight instructor renewal. We realize, however, that not all CFIs are up for renewal of their instructor certificate at this time, but would invite those member CFIs who are unable to attend the full three-day course to attend the third day, free of charge.

CFIs wishing to register only for the third day’s Train the Trainer Course should simply register online now! It’s very simple to register, however, we ask that you verify your CFI status by faxing both sides of your FAA-issued commercial certificate verifying your CFI endorsement to Jim Di Giovanna, ALEA Education Program Manager, at (714) 657-0098. That’s it, you’re in! We’re looking forward to a great training conference this year, one that will be of significant benefit to all, and especially our flight instructors.

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ALEA Gears Up For Florida – Will you be there?

ALEA provides the most comprehensive educational and professional development conference for airborne law enforcement aviators available. Don’t miss the 37th Annual Conference & Exposition in Orlando, Florida during the week of July 11 – 14, 2007.  You can find updates and all registration forms online.

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For rates and availability, contact:

Jennifer Thornton
ALEA Ad Sales Representative
Ph (918) 274-3874
Fax (918) 274-8450
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 2007 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