Welcome!

APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

APSA Safety Seminar in Sunny Orlando, FL

You’re invited to attend APSA’s first Safety Seminar of 2022 in Orlando, FL, Feb. 15-17. There is an excellent educational program planned, encompassing fixed-wing, helicopter and UAS operations. Take part in workshops and classes, and learn more about the latest aviation products and services displayed in our corporate member exhibit area.

Registration is open and included in your individual membership.  A nominal $55 fee applies for non-members, so invite a colleague to join you. Please register in advance online or call the APSA office at 301-631-2406.  

Members wishing to attend the Water Egress and Survival Training conducted by Survival Systems USA must contact Tracy Whitehead to register. The cost of the training is $295 (advance payment required) and a medical waiver must be completed. The class is limited to a minimum of 20 participants and a maximum of 30 participants. We must reach a minimum of 20 participants by Jan. 16, so don’t delay signing up for this training if interested.

Discounted room rates are available at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Airport host site. To get the $153/night group discount, click "Special Rates" and enter APS in the group code box. The deadline to reserve a discounted room rate is January 31, 2022. We look forward to seeing you in sunny Orlando next month!

Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities are still available – contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 to find out more.

Be A Part of APSA's Leadership Team; Nominations Due by Feb. 15

Participate in your association to the fullest extent possible by serving on the APSA Board of Directors. The nomination period for board positions up for election for the July 2022 -July 2024 term is open through February 15, 2022. The following offices are open for nomination: Vice-President, Secretary, Midwest Region Director, Northeast Region Director and Western Region Director.

Candidates for Region Director positions must reside in the region he or she is elected to represent. Nominations may be submitted online, by regular mail or email and addressed to the APSA Secretary. Please ensure nominations indicate the name of nominee, position for which the person is being nominated, and the person making the nomination. Both nominee and nominator must be current members and in good standing. Additionally, the person being nominated must be a member of APSA for at least one year.

Nominations must be received or postmarked no later than February 15, 2022. Submit your nominations here, or send them to Murray Maschmeyer, Secretary, Airborne Public Safety Association, 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701 or via email to mmaschmeyer@publicsafetyaviation.org.

This Month: Tactical Drone Operator Course in Florida

APSA's Tactical Drone Operator Course is three days of intensive training designed to increase piloting skills and provide students with the ability to operate in non-traditional UAS environments. Attendees will be exposed to the equipment, tools, and techniques necessary to expand their drone program for the tactical environment. Each day will consist of four hours of classroom instruction and four hours of flight instruction, applying drone capabilities to real world scenarios.

Instructed by Tactical Drone Concepts, the course will take place Jan. 26-28, 2022 at the Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL from 0800-1700 daily. The cost is $795. Students will:

•  Understand and apply techniques for interior operations
•  Develop teaming concepts for use with other units or capabilities
•  Utilize the drone as point and overwatch during tactical scenarios
•  Understand weight & balance and center of gravity considerations for drones
•  Identify issues associated with working in controlled airspace
•  Operate as direct support for tactical team or SWAT operations

Find more information and register here.
 

APSA Offers Variety of NIST's UAS Standard Test Methods Training Courses

APSA is offering both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Basic and Advanced sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Courses. In both courses, attendees will learn how to fabricate apparatuses, conduct trials, and embed them into their own training and credentialing programs.

The Basic Course covers two of the four different NIST "test lanes": Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (Part 107 qualification) and Open Test Lane.  In addition, everyone who successfully completes the course will have the opportunity to become an APSA Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (BPERP) flight evaluation proctor.

The Advanced Course addresses managing the NIST obstructed and confined test lanes, night operations, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, embedding apparatus within scenarios, and operating in GPS denied environments.  Ideally, attendees will have previously completed the APSA NIST Basic sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Course.

Both courses consist of 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction and evaluation at a cost of $575. Upcoming NIST courses scheduled to date are:

• Feb. 18-20: NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods: Advanced Proctor Training Course, Alameda County (Dublin), CA. 

• April 22-24: NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods: Basic Proctor Training Course, Cape May Courthouse, NJ. 

• May 13-15: NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods: Basic Proctor Training Course, Spokane County, WA. 

The NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program.  Attendees to these courses should be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills, evaluate sensor systems and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots.  Register today!

If your agency is interested in hosting one of these courses and receiving a fee set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby.
 

APSA Rescue Summit 2022 in March; Registration Open

The Airborne Public Safety Association Rescue Summit 2022 will be held in conjunction with HELI-EXPO 2022 on Monday, March 7, 2022 at the Kay Bailey Convention Center: A1 Ballroom in Dallas, TX. Rescue Summit 2022 will include various presentations pertaining to helicopter rescue operations including topics such as hoisting, safety and critical incident and accident reviews. Networking opportunities are scheduled throughout the day.

Rescue Summit 2022 is intended for all who use vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in rescue operations. Registration for Rescue Summit 2022 is included in your APSA Individual Membership dues; a nominal fee for non-members applies. Register here or call 301-631-2406 with any questions. All attendees must be registered to participate.

Interested in sponsoring this event and marketing to the attendees?  Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406.

APSA Announces 2022 Webinar Series

As part of our education and training program for 2022, APSA will conduct a series of webinars, one a month with the exception of June-August. Recognizing the need to provide training to those members who may not be able to travel to in-person APSA events, these webinars continue the series of live, online training originally brought about by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled for Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm EST, the schedule and topics for the first five (5) webinars in this series are:

• January 20, 2022:  Drone Support to K-9 Units | Doug Daniels, Highland County Sheriff's Office
   
• February 24, 2022:  Aircrew Communications | Lee Owen, Canyon Aero
   
• March 24, 2022:  Safety Update 2022 | Bryan Smith, APSA Safety Program Manager
   
• April 21, 2022:  Fleeing Suspect Tactics | Nick Minx, Tactical Flying, Inc.
   
• May 19, 2022: Critical Incident Reviews - Alameda County Sheriff's Office Drone Unit, Rose Lopez, Alameda County Sheriff's Office
   

Registration for these webinars is open. To register, simply click on the webinar(s) you'd like to participate in and complete the registration form. These webinars are offered free of charge to APSA members.

Interested in sponsoring one or more of these webinars and addressing the participants? Contact Benay Osborne by email or call 301-631-2406 for Details. 

New Mexico Rescuers & Aircrew Bring Tram Car Passengers to Safety

A Bernalillo County (NM) Sheriff Office Metropolitan Air Support Unit helicopter team played a key role in getting 21 people stuck on a Sandia Peak Tram down safely on New Year’s Day after they had been stuck overnight. The tram cars were carrying employees of the tramway and a restaurant on the last ride of the night.

New Mexico Search and Rescue was notified of the stranded passengers shortly before 3 a.m., according to Incident Commander Spenser Moreland. It took several hours for rescuers to hike to the site and work on an evacuation plan, he said. "We did an assessment of everybody on the tram, determined they were fine and doing well, given the conditions," Moreland said during a press briefing, adding that responders were also able to provide them with food, water and blankets.

The BCSO helicopter made its way up and down the mountain, and the aircrew shuttled the people off the mountain after they came down from the 80-foot tower next to the tram. In groups of two to three, everyone was pulled off the side of the mountain and flown to safety. The chopper also brought up equipment like boots to help get the employees down in the snow. The mission took about 10 flights to get people out, and BCSO live-streamed the rescue operation for over an hour.

High winds and visibility had impeded the rescue operations. "We've done a lot of training with all of our search and rescue stakeholders here in the past regarding the tram operations," Bernalillo County Under Sheriff Larry Koren said. Metro Air Support, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, New Mexico State Police, and New Mexico Search and Rescue Teams were involved in the rescue efforts.

Source: koat.com and abcnews.go.com

Spanish Ministries of Defense and Interior Buy H135s, Upgrading Its National Police Fleet

The Spanish Ministries of Defense and Interior ordered 36 Airbus H135 helicopters late last year to be operated by Spain’s Air Force, Navy, National Police, and the Guardia Civil. This purchase is part of the country’s stimulus plan to support the aviation industry. The Ministry of Defense will receive 18 helicopters to be operated by the Air Force and the Navy, while the Ministry of Interior will also take delivery of 18 helicopters to be operated by the National Police and the Guardia Civil. The deliveries will start next year.

The Ministry of Interior currently has a fleet of 31 helicopters from the H135 family in operation with the National Police, the Guardia Civil, and Trafico. The new helicopters will enable the National Police and Guardia Civil to replace the BO105 helicopters in a wide range of missions including law enforcement, surveillance and rescue activities.

Source: Airbus Media Relations

Hiker Slides Down Ice Chute, Plucked Off Mountainside by Aircrew

A couple had been hiking back from a thwarted attempt to reach the summit of a treacherous peak in the Mt. Baldy area near Angeles National Forest last month. The 45-year-old man rapidly slid about 900 feet down an ice chute of the steep mountainside before grabbing hold of some bushes, according to the San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department. The man's wife and hiking partner was able to find cellphone service and SBCSD’s Aviation Unit was called to help.

The helicopter aircrew of 40-King-4 spotted the man clutching some bushes on the precipitous incline and called for assistance from Air Rescue 306, the Sheriff's Department said. During a coordinated effort, a medic trained in technical rescue was lowered about 120 feet. "Once on the ground, the rescuer set up an anchor system and began the process of securing the fall victim in a harness to be hoisted out," the Sheriff's Department said.

Though badly bruised and sore, the man said, "I’m lucky": He escaped without head trauma or other life-threatening injuries.

Source:  latimes.com

Telecom Companies Postpone 5G Rollout by Two Weeks

In a last-minute agreement, AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay the rollout of 5G services near airports in the U.S. by an additional two weeks. The postponement comes amid concerns that 5G technology could interfere with sensitive aircraft electronics, causing disruptions to aviation operations. Activation of the 5G technology had originally been planned to start last year, but was pushed back until Jan. 5.

The rollout won't happen now until at least Jan. 19. The delay gives technical experts from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, the wireless industry and aviation industry groups more time to work on ways to mitigate potential risks posed by 5G. The postponement also averts a legal battle that had been brewing between the aviation industry and the wireless providers.

In December, the FAA issued a pair of airworthiness directives warning that potential interference from C-band 5G wireless services to sensitive aircraft electronics like radio altimeters could pose a safety risk to air traffic and lead to flight diversions. One of the FAA directives said the planned use posed an “unsafe condition” that required immediate action before the Jan. 5 deployment, prompting Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to ask the companies to further delay the rollout. The CEOs of both AT&T and Verizon sent a joint letter to Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson rejecting the request for a further two-week delay, but did agree to adopt interim measures over the next six months to limit 5G service around certain airports to address concerns.

In a statement, the FAA thanked the wireless carriers. "Safety is the core of our mission and this guides all of our decisions," the agency said. "We look forward to using the additional time and space to reduce flight disruptions associated with this 5G deployment."

Source: businesstravelerusa.com

Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Aiming Laser Pointing at Aircraft for Months

A 52-year-old pled guilty on Dec. 14 to aiming a laser pointer at aircraft. According to information presented in court, on July 15, 2021, agents with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified the FBI Memphis Field Office of reports indicating that airplanes flying into the Memphis International Airport from the east were consistently being struck in the cockpit and cabin by a green laser coming from the Hardeman County, Tennessee and Benton County, Mississippi area. From January 1, 2021 to July 15, 2021 there were 49 strikes by a green laser on aircraft, mainly Federal Express planes flying at various altitudes.

On July 16, 2021, agents conducted surveillance, during which time agents received reports from Memphis International Airport's Air Traffic Control relaying that aircraft in the vicinity were being struck by a laser. Agents could see a general originating location but the lasing ceased before a specific origin could be determined.

On August 11, 2021, surveillance was again established with an aircraft from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), with a camera affixed for surveillance. When the TBI aircraft entered the area over Hardeman County, TN, the aircrew almost immediately began reporting laser strikes originating from the south and southwest of their position.

The TBI aircraft circled the area several times, surveillance equipment pinpointed an individual standing in front of a residence. When agents arrived on the scene, they observed a male walking around a house while lasing the plane. A green laser pointer was found in an outdoor trashcan. The man admitted to law enforcement to intentionally striking planes flying near his residence with the green laser for several months.

Sentencing is set for March 10, 2022, when the man faces up to five years in federal prison to be followed by three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

Source: justice.gov

Troopers Nab Car Thieves With Use Of Helicopter

Five people are under arrest after Massachusetts State Police used their helicopter to track down a stolen car. An MSP Air Wing Unit aircrew received a LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System notice when they were flying near the area on Dec. 23. Operated by Sgt. Gregg Spooner and Trooper Joshua Pacheco, the helicopter was able to locate the stolen car with the help of the Brockton Police Department.

A police cruiser originally tried to get behind the vehicle, but the carjackers quickly took off. A pursuit ensued, causing chaos across several communities, state police said. In an effort to slow the threat the pursuit posed to public safety, the police helicopter was called in to follow the car, with Pacheco and Spooner updating the location for the ground team.

Police said the car eventually made it to an apartment complex, with five people exiting the vehicle and fleeing into the woods nearby. Using an infrared thermal camera system, Pacheco and Spooner were able to detect the suspects on the ground, leading ground officers right to the carjackers. Watch the video here.

Source:  patch.com

Nine People and Two Dogs Rescued from the Santa Ana River

San Bernardino County rescue teams saved nine people and two dogs from the Santa Ana River during a rainstorm last month. On Dec. 14, San Bernardino County Fire Dispatch requested assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD) Aviation Unit regarding stranded subjects. Recent rainfall flooded the normally dry river and trapped several subjects on small pockets of land. The aircrew of Air Rescue 307 responded from San Bernardino in adverse weather conditions, battling rain and wind during the flight.

Upon arrival, the aircrew spotted several people waving for help. The crew hoisted a SBCSD Dive Team member down to them and each victim was individually rescued and transported to awaiting medical personnel.

One victim was rescued from a treehouse over water, while another victim was rescued from a vehicle caught in the flood. The remaining victims and two dogs were rescued from land areas surrounded by rushing water. In total, nine people and two dogs were rescued during the mission.

Source: redlandscommunitynews.com

Seminole Sheriff's Office Helicopter Repeatedly Targeted by Laser

The Seminole County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit said its Alert One helicopter was on patrol last month when someone repeatedly targeted the cockpit with a green laser beam. "I was able to locate the origin of the laser. It was coming from the back patio of an apartment located at Casselberry," wrote Deputy Sheriff/TFO Christopher Knight in a report. "I coordinated with ground units, so a suspect could be identified."

When officers arrived at the scene, they stood by to see if a laser would strike the helicopter in their presence. The suspect never came back onto the patio while ground units were present. "I advised the ground units of the suspect's physical descriptors, and they approached the apartment front door to make contact. Ground units were able to briefly speak with a few occupants of the apartment," the report states. "The occupants were not cooperative, and the ground units were not able to make any identifications."

Repeated laser strikes are very dangerous to pilots and can cause temporary blindness and potential eye damage, the Sheriff's Office said. It is considered a felony offense.

Source: FOX 35 Orlando

Join APSA's Online Meeting Groups: Learn From Each Other

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR and Natural Resources personnel, and UAS operators that you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. To facilitate this, the UAS, Safety Officer and Maintenance Technician Meeting Groups meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups meet quarterly.

These meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:

UAS: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)

Safety Officers: Friday, January 21, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST (1800 UTC)

SAR: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Maintenance:  Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Natural Resources: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

SAPD Helicopter Saves Two Men From Sinking Boat

The San Antonio (TX) Police Department Aviation Unit’s EAGLE helicopter helped rescue two fishermen last month. The agency released a video that shows the tough, muddy conditions rescuers faced when trying to get to the stranded boaters who found themselves sinking in muddy water.

A Texas Department of Public Safety rescue aircraft and a Texas Parks and Wildlife rescue helicopter were both down for maintenance and the closest rescue helicopter was in Houston, SAPD said. With nightfall fast approaching, EAGLE launched to conduct the rescue. EAGLE arrived on scene and communicated with Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas DPS aircraft already on scene (non-rescue helicopters) to set up a staging area. The two fishermen were successfully rescued.

Source: kens5.com

Man Arrested for Shooting BB Gun at Police Drone

A California man was arrested last month after shooting a BB gun at a Red Bluff Police Department drone and admitting to recent burglaries in the area.

Police said they were operating a drone near a shopping center when they saw a man appearing to be firing a handgun at the drone. Several officers responded to the area and found a truck leaving the field with the suspect. Police stopped the vehicle and the driver was found to be on probation, and the passenger admitted to having a BB gun inside the cab.

Red Bluff police found power tools, checks, and money orders inside the vehicle that had been reported stolen. While speaking to police, officials said the man admitted to shooting the BB gun at the drone and admitted to both burglaries. He was taken into custody without incident and was booked for two counts of burglary, two counts of possession of stolen property, and willful discharge of a BB gun in a grossly negligent manner.

Source: krcrtv.com

DHS's Blue Lighting Initiative on Human Trafficking Awareness

The Blue Lightning Initiative is an element of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign. The purpose is to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. The Blue Lightning Initiative recognizes January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and will host a live panel discussion for aviation industry professionals on January 13, 2022. Speakers will address the impact and importance of the aviation industry in the fight against human trafficking, an overview of efforts to combat human trafficking in an aviation environment, actions taken after an aviation tip is submitted and resources available to law enforcement. To learn more about the program, visit the Blue Campaign website.

Source: DHS

Helicopter Industry Mourns Loss of Jan Rustad

Legendary Canadian instructor Jan Rustad, famed for his expertise in training helicopter pilots in mountain flight, passed away last month. Rustad was a flight instructor at HNZ Topflight for almost 40 years and with over 19,000 hours in his logbook.

Rustad became a pilot in 1968 and joined the Canadian Helicopters School of Advanced Flight Training (now known as HNZ Topflight) as an instructor in 1977. There, he played a key role in developing the school's mountain-flying program, rising to serve as chief flight instructor and manager of business development at the school. The quality of Rustad's instruction was recognized in 2001, when he received Helicopter Association International's Outstanding Certified Flight Instructor award.

Source: Vertical Magazine

Infrared Drones Providing Major Advantage To Deputies In Creek County

Since deploying two infrared drones last July, the Creek County (OK) Sheriff's Office said they've used them more than 40 times. Deputies used the drones recently to help find a teenage stabbing suspect. Remote pilot Deputy Menter Kalevick could see the suspect's heat signature on the screen and pointed deputies on the ground to his location. "There's not enough detail to tell exactly what that thing is so sending a ground unit to confirm is what we normally do," said Kalevick.

Deputies have used the drones to help find missing people, locate suspects, and even to communicate with barricaded subjects. They've even helped neighboring departments reconstruct accident scenes. “Instead of going up there or using the vehicle to command it, we flew the UAS over the house and did commands through the audio system," said Kalevick. The Creek County Sheriff's Office has two drones, two licensed drone operators and every flight is logged and recorded.

Creek County is hilly, which gives suspects plenty of places to hide, and while K-9 Units are on the ground searching, the drone can have their backs. "It gives them peace of mind because the dog is focused on that and the handler is focused on the dog, so even having that drone above them gives additional security around them," said Kalevick.

Source: news9.com

Air Beat Would Like To Feature Your Aviation Unit: Contact Us

Most articles you read in APSA's Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it’s easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It's our editor's job to make you look good, so don't worry if you're not a writer.) Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA's networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation.  Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. APSA would like to welcome the following individual members who joined during December 2021:

Individual Members:

Wayne Barlow, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Aviation Unit
Jeremy Brock, Safety Medic LLC (IL)
Matthew Brugger, Jamestown (ND) Fire Department
James Buchholz, Oregon State Police
Matthew Carcella, Pennsylvania State Police
Carlos Caro, University of North Dakota Police Department
Christopher Carta, Phoenix (GA) Air Unmanned
Connie Childers, Fulton County (GA) Sheriff's Office
Timothy Cotter, Sacramento County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Air Operations
Christon Dallas, Devils Lake (ND) Police Department
Steven Day, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources -Forestry
Jacob Duarte, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Wilbur Dunlap, Dekalb County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Rene Estupinian, Montebello (CA) Police Department
Thomas Fitzhenry, Civil Air Patrol (MN)
Coy Gard, Department of Energy (MN)
Adrian Garza, San Antonio (TX) Police Department Helicopter Detail
Scott Gashi, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Michael Gavere, Grand Forks (ND) Police Department
Scott Howard, Montebello (CA) Police Department
Jerry Human, Higley & Higley (FL)
Nicholas Irvine, Civil Air Patrol (CA)
Wesley Johnson, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Galen Johnson, Independent Member   
Jake Jones, North Dakota Highway Patrol
Adam Kline, Pennsylvania State Police
Troy Krabbenhoft, North Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol
Scott Kroeber, UND Aerospace Foundation (ND)
Kenneth Kwok, Fremont (CA) Police Department
Keith Lear, Pennsylvania State Police
Ian Lloyd, Pennsylvania State Police
Robbie Lunnie, University of North Dakota
Jay Manley, Civil Air Patrol - ND046 Squadron (ND)
Donald Marsh, Pennsylvania State Police
Juan Martinez Jr., Montebello (CA) Police Department
Daniel Myles, University of North Dakota UAS Dept.
Travis Nelson, North Dakota Highway Patrol
Kyle Newman, Phoenix (GA) Air Unmanned
Zackary Nicklin, NCTC (MN)
Ricky Olsen, Morton County (ND) Sheriff's Office
Matt Olson, City of Madison (WI) Police Department
Jonathan Potoka, Pennsylvania State Police
Kelly Powers, City of Madison (WI) Police Department
Donald Rescigno, UND Aerospace (ND)
Matthew Rich, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Shane Rothenberger, Grand Forks County (ND) Sheriff's Office
Ken Schuler, ND Wing CAP
Kylie Scott, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Brian Shamblen, Civil Air Patrol (ND)
Justin Siegel, University of North Dakota
Mike Smollen, Montebello (CA) Police Department
Cody Spangler, Pennsylvania State Police
Aaron Sykes, Northland Aerospace (MN)
Paul F. Tanghe, Independent Member
Ben Trapnell, University of North Dakota
Morgan Trevor, Montebello (CA) Police Department
William Vanorden, Pennsylvania State Police
Phillip Viebrock, Montebello (CA) Police Department
K Walter Vollmers, Civil Air Patrol (MN)
Ryan Walsh, UND Aerospace Foundation (ND)
Andrew Welch, Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Chad Whiting, Garfield County (CO) Sheriff's Office
Chet Wilberg, Civil Air Patrol (MN)
Christopher Wilson, Fremont (CA) Police Department

Welcome!

APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

Police Helicopter Crash Takes Life of Officer Pilot

On February 20, 2022, the Huntington Beach (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit helicopter, HB-1, crashed into the waters off Newport Beach with two pilot officers onboard, resulting in the death of Officer Nicholas Vella and injuries to the other pilot.

HB-1 was responding to assist the Newport Beach Police Department with a priority call of a fight in progress at approximately 6:25 p.m. A few minutes later, HB-1 crashed into the water near Newport Beach. Multiple civilians, along with public safety personnel, jumped into the water to rescue the officers. Both officers were pulled from the helicopter and transported to area hospitals.

Surveillance video from a nearby home shows the helicopter making a spiral descent into the water. Witnesses said boaters rushed to pull the officers out of the helicopter, which landed upside down in shallow water.

The pilot, a 50-year old man and a 16-year veteran of the department, is in stable condition. Officer Vella, a 14-year veteran of HBPD, died from injuries he received in the crash. He leaves behind a wife and teenage daughter. Officer Vella, 44, was also an ASPA member for over five years. 

"There are no words that can express this loss adequately," said HBPD Chief of Police Eric Parra. "We are deeply grieving for Officer Vella's family, and as a police department, we grieve as well."

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Major Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating the cause for the crash. "We look at not only what happened but we try to figure out why it happened," NTSB spokesperson Eric Weiss said, explaining that the agency’s investigative process looks at human, machine and environmental factors.

According to NTSB, the pilot reported mechanical problems moments before the chopper crashed into the water. The NTSB has taken possession of the helicopter, and it could take up to a year before releasing their findings on the exact cause of the accident.

The HBPD Air Support Unit was formed in 1968. Huntington Beach was the first city in Orange County and the fifth in the nation to use helicopters for public safety service, according to the city.

Sources: HBPD Press Release, latimes.com, APSA

APSA Seeks Safety Program Manager; Apply by March 18

The Airborne Public Safety Association is in search of a new APSA Safety Program Manager. APSA is requesting proposals from individuals or entities to provide comprehensive safety programming to public safety aviation agencies, personnel and managers as part of the ongoing APSA Safety Program.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the contracted APSA Safety Program Manager include developing an annual strategic plan regarding aviation safety for members and their agencies. The candidate will work with the APSA Training Program Manager on the presentation of safety education at APSA training events including, but not limited to, the annual conference, safety seminars, safety stand-tos and on-the-road courses with emphasis on current trends in aviation safety. The Safety Program Manager may also represent APSA at meetings such as those conducted by HAI, IACP, NSA, FAA, IHST, AUVSI and NTSB. The Safety Manager will moderate APSA's Safety Online Group bimonthly meetings, as well as other responsibilities that can be found here. 

All proposals, along with a resume or curriculum vitae, should be emailed to Dan Schwarzbach, APSA CEO/Executive Director {link to dschwarzbach@publicsafetyaviation.org}. The deadline for inquiries and submissions is Friday, March 18, 2022. All questions regarding this RFP should be sent to dschwarzbach@publicsafetyaviation.org. APSA is an equal opportunity employer.

APSA Awards & Scholarships: Nominations & Applications by May 1

Help us recognize an APSA member for their contributions to public safety aviation or your child for their academic excellence. The APSA awards recognize those individuals whose personal efforts or actions have perpetuated the professionalism and advancement of public safety aviation. The awards that APSA presents annually are:

• Robert L. Cormier Award
• Captain 'Gus' Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award
• Technical Specialist Award
• Safety Award
• Fixed-Wing Operator Award
• Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) Award
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Award

Additionally, this year APSA provides eighteen (18) scholarships totaling $44,000 to recognize the academic excellence of our members' children. APSA funds twelve (12) regional scholarships, which provide $2,500 to each recipient. The remaining six (6) scholarships, like our awards, are funded through the generosity of some very special APSA supporters, providing $1,500 to $2,500 to each recipient.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the annual General Membership Meeting during APSCON 2022 on Thursday, July 28. Award winners will be honored at the APSCON 2022 Awards Reception on Friday, July 29. The deadline for receipt of award nominations and scholarship applications is Sunday, May 1, 2022.

For more information about our Awards and Scholarships Program, or to submit award nominations and scholarship applications, visit the APSA website. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach. Don't miss these great opportunities ...they only come around once a year!

APSCON 2022 and APSCON Unmanned - Save the Date

APSCON 2022 and APSCON Unmanned, formerly the Public Safety Drone EXPO, are scheduled for Reno, Nevada this year, the week of July 25-30. These events will take place simultaneously at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino and the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.  Start making plans now to take advantage of the best public safety aviation training anywhere, no matter what you fly!  More information is coming soon – save the dates.  And keep checking our website for the most up to date information. 

NIST's UAS Standard Test Methods Training Courses Offered Through APSA

APSA is offering both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Basic and Advanced sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Courses. In both courses, attendees will learn how to fabricate apparatuses, conduct trials, and embed them into their own training and credentialing programs.

The Basic Course covers two of the four different NIST "test lanes": Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (Part 107 qualification) and Open Test Lane.  In addition, everyone who successfully completes the course will have the opportunity to become an APSA Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (BPERP) flight evaluation proctor.

The Advanced Course addresses managing the NIST obstructed and confined test lanes, night operations, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and embedding apparatus within scenarios. Ideally, attendees will have previously completed the APSA NIST Basic sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Course.

Both courses consist of 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction and evaluation at a cost of $575. Upcoming NIST courses scheduled to date are:

Basic Courses

• April 22-24: Cape May Courthouse, NJ.
• May 13-15: Spokane County, WA.
• June 3-5: Pasco County, FL
• September 16-18: Shelby, NC
• October 6-8: Fort Wayne, IN

Advanced Courses

• March 30 - April 1: Burnet, TX
• October 7-9: Creve Coeur, MO
• October 27-29: Niceville, FL
• December 9-11: Grand Forks, ND
   

The NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program.  Attendees to these courses should be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills, evaluate sensor systems and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots.  Register today!

If your agency is interested in hosting one of these courses and receiving a free set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby.

New Museum Exhibit Showcases the Power and Impact of Law Enforcement Aviation

The National Law Enforcement Museum unveiled a virtual exhibit on Feb. 21 called "Eyes to the Sky: A Century of Law Enforcement Aviation and Airborne Public Safety". This is the nation's first professionally curated exhibit about law enforcement aviation, and it showcases pilots, paramedics, and other law enforcement aviation experts that keep us safe from above. The museum is providing virtual access to the exhibit free of charge.

The NLEM exhibit, curated by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, takes guests on a trip through time to learn about the rich and varied history of law enforcement airplanes, helicopters and drones. This exhibit dives even more deeply into the efforts of departments around the country that spearheaded the effort to add helicopters to the law enforcement toolkit, and serves as an exploration of how helicopters have played an important role in the ways that law enforcement keeps communities safe.

APSA is acknowledged at the beginning of the exhibit and Air Beat is cited in the credits at the end. Several APSA members stepped up to assist in this project and deserve to be acknowledged: Glenn Daley (NYPD), Ken Solosky (NYPD) and Jim Di Giovanna (LASD). And  Zack Mullikin, Air Beat Art Director, combed the archives, providing photos and stories. "While there is so much more to the public safety aviation story, this is a good start and nice tribute to some of the pioneering agencies," said APSA Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach.

Source: National Law Enforcement Museum

Sign Up: Monthly Webinar Training Series Free for Members

As part of the education and training program for 2022, APSA is conducting a series of webinars, one a month with the exception of June-August. Recognizing the need to provide training to those members who may not be able to travel to in-person APSA events, these webinars continue the series of live, online training originally brought about by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled for Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm EST, the upcoming schedule and topics in this series are:

• March 24:  Safety Update 2022 | Bryan Smith, APSA Safety Program Manager
• April 21:  Fleeing Suspect Tactics | Nick Minx, Tactical Flying, Inc.
• May 19: Critical Incident Reviews – Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, Rose Lopez, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Registration for these webinars is open. To register, simply click on the webinar(s) you'd like to participate in and complete the registration form. These webinars are offered free of charge to APSA members. 

Interested in sponsoring one or more of these webinars and marketing to the participants?  Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 for details.

Philippine Police Helicopter Crashes Near Resort Island

A Philippine National Police helicopter crashed on Feb. 21 as it was flying to pick up the country's police chief, killing a crewmember and injuring the two pilots. Tragically, the H125 Airbus helicopter was found to have crashed in the town of Real, Quezon, where conditions were rainy at the time of the accident. Police and firefighters reached the crash site and rescued the pilot and co-pilot, who were taken to a hospital with injuries, but the third crewmember was pinned in the wreckage and died while rescuers were trying to revive him.

The helicopter was flying to Balesin Island to pick up PNP Police Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos and his companions. Carlos was scheduled to fly back to Manila on a commercial flight to attend a flag-raising ceremony, but the flight became unavailable and the police aviation unit offered to take him by helicopter, police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.

Carlos visited the two injured pilots at the hospital and one of them told him that they were maneuvering to land in clear weather “when suddenly a strong gust of wind lashed them and caused the helicopter to lose control," Fajardo told reporters. PNP Headquarters grounded the entire fleet of police helicopters while an investigation is underway in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Department of Transportation, and other concerned agencies.

Source: ABC News.go.com

APSA Safety Stand-Tos: Education & Networking

APSA conducts virtual Safety Stand-Tos online as well as in-person Safety Stand-Tos on an on-request basis for members at their facilities. The upcoming Safety Stand-To schedule is:

IN-PERSON | Michigan State Police | April 13, 2022

VIRTUAL | Firefighting | May 4, 2022

VIRTUAL | Canadian | September 28, 2022

VIRTUAL | Natural Resources | October 26, 2022

To schedule a Safety Stand-To in your area, please contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby at Droby@publicsafetyaviation.org or 717-870-9603.
 

Nebraska State Patrol Equips New Aircraft With Mission Suite

The Nebraska State Patrol’s new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter has been outfitted with an airborne law enforcement mission suite from CNC Technologies. Completed in partnership with Force Aviation, the state-of-the-art mission suite provides the NSP Aviation Support Division with a comprehensive patrol, surveillance and communications solution that is fully interoperable with the agency's existing aircraft and technology infrastructure.

For the new mission suite, CNC developed a custom solution matched to NSP's specific needs, incorporating an L3/Wescam MX10 imager, Shotover/Churchill Systems moving map, Airborne Displays monitor, Trakka TLX searchlight and Troll Systems microwave downlink system. Aircrews will be able to utilize the solution to stream uninterrupted HD video and data from the aircraft to commanders and officers on the ground, enhancing situational awareness, intelligence gathering and public safety efforts.

"CNC has a proven track record in building airborne law enforcement solutions for agencies across the US and around the world," said Lt. Brian Petersen of the Nebraska State Patrol. "They brought a deep understanding of the needs of our aircrews and commanders to the project, and we are pleased to partner with them in support of our public safety mission."

NSP took delivery of the aircraft after HELI-EXPO this week. CNC will provide ongoing training and 24/7 support for the new mission suite.

Source: CNC Technologies

Accepting Entries for Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards

The tactical use of airborne thermal imaging can be one of the most powerful tools available to law enforcement. The Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards, returning this year to APSCON, strive to recognize state and local law enforcement agencies for their contributions to public safety through the use of tactical, airborne thermal imagery. Help us honor the very best in airborne law enforcement use of EO/IR technology by entering.

Each year, Teledyne FLIR asks law enforcement to submit their video footage shot during rescues, pursuits, apprehensions and surveillance operations. Entries should highlight the tactical use of EO/IR technology and the importance of the airborne imaging system in the successful completion of the mission. The deadline for video submissions is May 13, 2022, and you can enter here.  Multiple entries from each department and airborne team are allowed. Include a brief outline of the incident and list the name, rank and position of each crewmember via the online submission form. All types of infrared and daylight videos will be considered for this award.

Footage from each winning video will be shown as part of the Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards ceremony, as well as highlights from all submitting agencies. Awards will be presented at APSCON 2022 on Thursday, July 28 in Reno, NV.

Source: Teledyne FLIR

Australia's QPS Upgrades POLAIR Fleet, Introduces Police Drones

The Queensland government announced a number of new upgrades to the state's aerial policing capabilities last month, including upgrading and increasing its POLAIR fleet and adding drones.

Three new Bell 429 helicopters will be welcomed into the Queensland Police Service (QPS) POLAIR fleet, which patrols southeast Australia, replacing the two older helicopters that have made up the fleet for nearly 10 years. The agency said the new aircraft "will deliver vastly improved safety, technology, camera and night vision capability".

The agreement also extends QPS's long-term contract with Surf Life Saving Queensland to operate POLAIR services by another 10 years to 2034, due to commence once the existing agreement expires in 2024. The agreement will also deliver Australia's first Bell 429 training simulator, which initially will be for the exclusive use of QPS POLAIR pilots.

QPS officers in Townsville and Cairns are preparing to take delivery of a number of new remotely piloted aircraft (RPAS) as part of a trial to explore the operational enhancements that drones can deliver. The new RPAS have enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and include advancements like artificial intelligence technologies for tracking vehicles and sophisticated thermal imaging cameras for locating lost people.

The Queensland Premier said the new helicopters and drones represented a significant capability increase for police and an added protection for the community, particularly ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. "The community will be able to feel safer knowing police have these new, state-of-the art resources," Palaszczuk said.

Source: www.australianaviation.com.au

Join APSA's Online Meeting Groups: Learn From Each Other

These meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:

• Safety Officers: Friday, March 18, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
• Natural Resources: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
• Maintenance:  Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
• SAR: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
• UAS: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)

U.S. FAA Administration Steve Dickson Resigns

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed his gratitude to Dickson "for his years of service to our country and his lifelong dedication to making sure our aviation system is the best and safest in the world." It has not yet been announced who will take the role as head of the FAA once Dickson leaves.

Source: skiesmag.com/news

Maryland's Trooper 5 Medevac Marks 40 Years

The Maryland State Police Cumberland Aviation Section will celebrate its 40th year of service to the citizens of Western Maryland in 2022. Overall, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command has celebrated 50 years of service to the state of Maryland. The helicopter section known as Trooper 5 was the fifth aviation base to be placed into service by the MSP and is one of seven bases operated within the state.

Since being placed into service in 1982, the base has moved into a larger more suitable hangar and was host to three different helicopter platforms. The section, which is based at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport, serves Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties in Maryland. It is also called upon to assist neighboring counties within Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

MSP's Cumberland Aviation Section is staffed and ready for service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The section has a roster of 18 people, which includes civilian pilots, sworn trooper paramedics and aircraft maintenance personnel. Together, they fly the Leonardo AW-139 helicopter, which is configured to serve as a fully functioning advanced life support air ambulance. The advanced skills and training of the aircrew is an asset when dealing with the long distances that Trooper 5 frequently travels due to the unique rural landscape of the area.

Unlike the other helicopter bases, Trooper 5 is the only base stationed outside of Maryland and is the only state police helicopter that routinely operates over rugged and mountainous terrain. The Cumberland Aviation Section flew 144 emergency missions in 2021 that included 110 medevacs, 21 search and rescue and 13 law enforcement missions. This does not include the many training and outreach missions that are routinely conducted.

Source:  times-news.com

Man Accused of Shining Laser at Police Helicopter Apologizes

A 56-year-old south Florida man was arrested last month after he pointed a laser at a Broward County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Aviation Unit helicopter. During a robbery investigation, video shows someone shining a green laser at the BCSO helicopter while it is flying overhead. The helicopter then shined its spotlight in the area of the light to indicate the location of the person using the laser, and ground officers detained him.

The affidavit stated that when police asked him what he had been doing with the laser, the man stated that he "wanted to have some fun" and was "just playing around." He also admitted to shining the laser at the helicopter a few times and said he was aware that performing that action could blind a person and cause the aircraft to crash. When the officer asked him where the laser currently was located, he said he had tossed it into a neighbor's bushes because he knew he was in trouble and was trying to hide it. Police retrieved the laser and confirmed it shined a green light.

The man was arrested and faces charges of pointing a laser at a driver or pilot and tampering with evidence. When he was released from jail, he apologized for his actions. "It just felt like a game. I was playing around," he said. "I want to apologize to the Broward Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. I was wrong."

The FAA reported more than 9,700 laser strikes last year, which is the highest reported number of incidents ever.

Source:  www.wflx.com

First Female Pilot for West Virginia State Police Aviation

The West Virginia State Police (WVSP) selected its first female helicopter pilot last month. Trooper First Class Tiffani Huffman began her training at the West Virginia State Police Aviation Section in October 2021. TFC Huffman completed 43 hours of flight training, 10 of which were solo, 120 hours of ground training and countless hours of independent studying all while maintaining her normally assigned duties in the Aviation Section.

"This initial flight training is extremely challenging and requires the upmost of commitment and dedication to complete. TFC Huffman's skill, commitment, and dedication are second to none," said WVSP in a social media post. "TFC Huffman should be commended for successfully navigating this first phase of what we are confident will be the beginning of a productive and successful aviation career."

The WVSP Aviation Section has been operating since 1972.

Source: www.wboy.com/news

Grover Beach Launches New Drone Program

With four drones and three trained pilots, the Grover Beach (CA) Police Department will soon launch a new program that has been in the works for almost a year. "In about 30 seconds to a minute, we can get a drone up in the air," said Grover Beach Police Commander Jim Munro.

Munro said drones are becoming a standard tool for law enforcement. "It's like having a gun on your belt, a radio on your belt. If you don't have drones you're kind of behind the time," said Munro. Traditionally, helicopters have given officers an eye in the sky, but now drones can assist in many of the same tasks, from helping to locate a missing child to keeping track of a suspect on the run.

The Grover Beach Police Department currently will train five more remote pilots so they always have one on duty.

Source: www.ksby.com

Nominations Wanted For IACP Leadership in Police Aviation Award

The annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Aviation Award recognizes public safety individuals and agencies that exemplify excellence in airborne law enforcement operations for both manned and unmanned aircraft operations in the law enforcement community. This award emphasizes initiatives that enhance general safety operations, accident prevention programs, and the efficiency and effectiveness of airborne law enforcement. Efforts eligible for recognition can range from the unit level to the national or international level, including rotary, fixed-wing, or unmanned aircraft operations. Any agency or individual that operates manned or unmanned aircraft is eligible to apply.

The deadline to submit a nomination for the IACP Leadership in Police Aviation Award is April 3, 2022.  For further information, contact awards@theIACP.org. 

AUVSI Rebrands With Name Change for Inclusion

AUVSI, a trade association for the autonomy, robotics and automated air, ground and maritime vehicle industries announced its name change to reflect ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusivity. The association is dropping the word "unmanned" and other gender-specific terms in its name, governing documents and association language.

The organization's name change to Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International is led by the association's commitment to supporting growth within new segments of the uncrewed systems community. "In 2022, AUVSI will reflect on lessons learned in the last 50 years and look toward the next 50 years of industry growth and evolution," said Brian Wynne, AUVSI Executive Director. "By launching the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group and other new initiatives, AUVSI will continue to lead, engage and educate the community. Under our new identity and with a cohesive voice, AUVSI will advance our bold vision of an autonomous future in which uncrewed technologies are integrated into society and provide lasting public and economic benefits." 

The association was founded as the National Association for Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARP-V) and rebranded as the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems in 1978, and added "International" in 1996 before changing before changing again last month to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International. 

New programming and opportunities will be executed throughout the 50th anniversary year to build on the association's existing work to advocate for the establishment of laws and regulations that enable the advancement of uncrewed systems in the commercial and defense sectors, educate regulators and public on the benefits of these systems and connect the industry and stakeholders. 

Source: AUVSI

RAK Police's Air Wing Rescues Seven Tourists

The Ras Al Khaimah Police Department Air Wing, located in the United Arab Emirates, rescued seven Asian tourists last month. According to Colonel Pilot Saeed Rashid Al Yamahi, commander of the Air Wing, a distress call was received from seven tourists who apparently lost their way while they were on a mountainous trip in the Wadi Qada'ah area. It turned out that they were in a rugged area that could be reached only by a police helicopter, he said.

A rescue crew rushed in a helicopter to the scene where they found the exhausted tourists within a few minutes and provided them with the needed support, he added, noting that the they were taken back their vehicles after checking on them and ensuring they were safe.

Al Yamahi emphasized the need for people and tourists to avoid rugged areas in mountainous areas and valleys, noting that the Ras Al Khaimah Police's teams are fully ready to provide the best security services to all citizens, residents and visitors in need.

Source: www.gulftoday.ae

FAA Begins New Phase of Testing to Safely Integrate Drones into the National Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will begin field-testing new drone traffic management capabilities to further integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System. The Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) Field Test, which will start in the spring of 2022, will allow the government and the drone community to continue improving standards, data-exchange methods and cyber security capabilities. 

UTM includes a set of services that are complementary to, but separate from, Air Traffic Management services for manned aircraft. It is targeted toward small unmanned aircraft operations in airspace, generally flying below 400 feet, and builds on current rules and capabilities that enable airspace access and authorization. The test outcomes will provide the FAA with critical information to support the development of new policies and for industry development of updated standards to allow drones to routinely fly beyond visual line of sight of the operators.

The FAA and its industry partners will conduct multiple drone flights in realistic test scenarios to learn more about how to manage drone traffic in varying environments. The flight tests will examine how the latest capabilities and standards will work to support the operations in the real world.

Source: FAA

MSP Video: Carjacking Suspect Taken Into Custody

A Michigan State Police Trooper 2 aircrew followed a carjacking suspect through streets and on foot to help the Detroit Police Department take him into custody. At one point during the pursuit on Feb. 25, the man's SUV pulled through a yard to change directions. A few minutes later, the man got out of the vehicle and helicopter video captured him throwing something into a yard. Detroit police recovered a handgun at that location. Video shared by MSP on social media shows the man climbing over multiple fences before two ground officers took him into custody.

Source: www.clickondetroit.com

Air Beat Would Like To Feature Your Aviation Unit; Contact Us

Most articles you read in APSA's Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it's easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It's our editor's job to make you look good, so don't worry if you're not a writer.) Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA's networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation. Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. We would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during February 2022:

Aviation Battery Systems, LLC
DJI Technology
Equinox Innovative Systems
IMSAR, LLC

Individual Members:

Rick Aikins, Canadian Helicopters Limited
Amy Alcala, Austin (TX) Police Department
Cory Allen, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Mark Baggett, Canadian Helicopters Limited
David Barker, Idaho Falls Police Department
Francis Bassey, Anne Arundel County (MD) Police Department
Jason Beeman, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Gary Boudreau, Oakland County (MI) Sheriff
Ron Brightwell, Denver (CO) Police Department
Benjamin Carswell, Alabama State Troopers
Atiba Celestine, New York State Police
Anson Creech, Florida Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Eddie Cruz, Florida Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Rachel David, Dothan (AL) Police Department
David DeAngelo, Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office | SWAT
Corey DeBolt, Dale County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Louie DeSantis, Springfield Air (FL)
Brian Downs, Anaheim (CA) Police Department | Air Support
Michael Doyle, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Michael Edwards, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Jodie Esquibel, New Mexico State Police | Aviation Unit
Donovan Frazer, Alameda County (CA) Sheriff's Office | DPS
Ronnie Galindo, Napa County (CA) Sheriff's Office Aero Squadron
Greg Garza, NEXIO (TX)
Richard Gonzales, Oceanside (CA) Police Department
Elliott Guinn, New Mexico State Police | Aviation Unit
Derek Harger, San Antonio (TX) Police Department | Helicopter Detail
Don Hoover, Dallas County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Garren Kelly, Idaho Falls (ID) Police Department
Christopher Knight, Seminole County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
Harley Lenart, Tennessee (TN) Bureau of Investigation
Ryan Lindner, Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department
Jim Little, Dale County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Justin Lococo, Volusia (FL) Sheriff’s Office
Rosario Lopez, Alameda County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Air Support
James Lyles, Maryland State Police Aviation Command
Thomas Mallow, Florida Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Jason Masters, Washoe County (NV) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Operations
Josh McCann, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department | Aviation Unit
Tim McDonald, Dale County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Dalton O'Rourke, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department Helicopter Division
Susie Peters, Dothan (AL) Police Department
Steve Petty, Petzl America (UT)
Joshua Phillips, Alameda County (CA) Sheriff's Office | DPS
Jeffrey Pollack, Florida Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Rahmatullah Rahimi, Canadian Helicopters Limited
Michael Sailer, Yavapai County (AZ) Search and Rescue Air Group
Steve Salicos, Anaheim (CA) Police Department | Air Support
Dustin Schmidt, Oceanside (CA) Police Department
German Schroth, Canadian Helicopters Limited
Peter Serrano, Alameda County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Air Support
Shad Sitz, 44north aviation services (OR)
Richard Smith, Los Angeles County (CA) Regional Training Center
Lindsey Smith, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Joseph Smith, NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit
Dean Smith, Canadian Helicopters Limited
Stephen Sparks, Salinas (CA) Police Department
Tim Stange, Savannah-Chatham (GA) Police Department | Aviation Unit
Adam Stovall, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Erik Then, Boston (MA) Fire Department
Jason Tilley, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
D.J. Torres, Florida Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Paul Vermast, CE Avionics Inc. (FL)
Jeremy White, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Ronald Williams-Garcia, Angels of Mercy Flight, Inc. (PR)

If you know of other public safety aviators or industry-related companies that could benefit by becoming APSA members, please share this link and help our association grow in 2022! 

Welcome!

APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

Two Conferences, One Location: APSA Education Heads to Reno

The Airborne Public Safety Association proudly presents the best in manned and unmanned public safety aviation education and networking, all in one location!  APSCON 2022 and APSCON Unmanned 2022 (formerly Public Safety Drone Expo) will take place concurrently in Reno, NV the week of July 25-30. Conducted as separate educational events with a shared exhibit hall, you now have access to industry-leading public safety aviation training, products and services in one location no matter what type of aircraft you operate!

APSCON 2022 and APSCON Unmanned will provide the best in public safety aviation education and training though conference courses and classes, presented by the experts from our industry. And the exhibit hall is a great place to check out the latest, cutting-edge technology for public safety aviation while networking with your peers. Exhibitors will showcase their products and services to aviation unit decision-makers and end users, while creating an exceptional learning environment in one central location. And don't forget the outstanding social/networking events sponsored by our generous corporate supporters.

Make plans now for a week of public safety aviation education and training. Visit our website for full details and registration. See you in Reno!

APSA Awards & Scholarships: Nominations & Applications by May 1

Help us recognize an APSA member for their contributions to public safety aviation or your child for their academic excellence. The APSA awards recognize those individuals whose personal efforts or actions have perpetuated the professionalism and advancement of public safety aviation. The awards that APSA presents annually are:

•  Robert L. Cormier Award
•  Captain 'Gus' Crawford   Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award
•  Technical Specialist Award
•  Safety Award
•  Fixed-Wing Operator Award
•  Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) Award
•  Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Award

Additionally, APSA provides eighteen (18) scholarships totaling $44,000 to recognize the academic excellence of our members' children. APSA funds 12 regional scholarships, which provide $2,500 to each recipient. The remaining 6 scholarships, like our awards, are funded through the generosity of some very special APSA supporters, providing $1,500 to $2,500 to each recipient.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the annual General Membership Meeting during APSCON 2022 on Thursday, July 28. Award winners will be honored at the APSCON 2022 Awards Reception on Friday, July 29. The deadline for receipt of award nominations and scholarship applications is May 1, 2022.

For more information about our Awards and Scholarships Program, or to submit award nominations and scholarship applications, visit the APSA website. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach. Don't miss these great opportunities ... they only come around once a year!

Added Locations: NIST's UAS Standard Test Methods Training Courses Offered Through APSA

APSA is offering both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Basic and Advanced sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Courses. In both courses, attendees will learn how to fabricate apparatuses, conduct trials, and embed them into their own training and credentialing programs.

The Basic Course covers two of the four different NIST “test lanes”: Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (Part 107 qualification) and Open Test Lane.  In addition, everyone who successfully completes the course will have the opportunity to become an APSA Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (BPERP) flight evaluation proctor.

The Advanced Course addresses managing the NIST obstructed and confined test lanes, night operations, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and embedding apparatus within scenarios. Ideally, attendees will have previously completed the APSA NIST Basic sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Course.

Both courses consist of 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction and evaluation at a cost of $575. Upcoming NIST courses scheduled to date are:

Basic Courses

• April 22-24: Cape May Courthouse, NJ
• May 13-15: Spokane County, WA 
• June 3-5: Pasco County, FL
• August 26-28: Snohomish, WA
• September 16-18: Shelby, NC
• October 6-8: Fort Wayne, IN

Advanced Courses

• October 7-9: Creve Coeur, MO
• October 27-29: Niceville, FL
• December 9-11: Grand Forks, ND

The NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program.  Attendees to these courses should be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills, evaluate sensor systems and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots.  Register today!

If your agency is interested in hosting one of these courses and receiving a free set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby. 

Five Officers and Doctor Servive LASD Helicopter Crash

Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air 5 helicopter crashed on March 19 in the Angeles National Forest near the San Gabriel Dam, and all six people on board survived. One deputy was critically injured, two suffered moderate injuries and two suffered minor injuries, according to reports. Those on board included a pilot, tactical flight officer, two paramedics, one crew chief and a UCLA doctor who was riding along with the crew. "They're pretty banged up, and I'll leave it at: there's some fractures, some broken ribs, and some things of that nature," Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the next day during a news briefing.

Villanueva explained that the Super Puma helicopter was assisting the fire department with transporting a patient from a vehicle rollover but had not yet retrieved the patient when the aircraft suffered a malfunction of some sort. "We don't know if it was mechanical, environmental, what they call a brownout, a wind change, but as they were trying to descend ... they suffered a hard landing and a rollover," Villanueva said. "Considering where this crash occurred...the aircraft landed just a few feet from a 200-foot drop...so the fact that it did not roll over, go all the way down, or that there was no fire, is nothing short of a miracle."

The Air 5 rescue helicopter makes 500-700 flights annually into some of the toughest terrain, often flying into narrow canyons and dealing with difficult topography. The helicopter aircrews have saved thousands of lives over the years, Villanueva said, "We're very thankful that everyone survived."

Source: www.kiro7.com, latimes.com

KCSO Orders Helicopters to Modernize Fleet

The Kern County (CA) Sheriff"s Office Air Support Unit will acquire two new Airbus H125s as part of a plan to modernize its aging fleet of helicopters. Two other KCSO aircraft will be decommissioned, after decades of service.

"Our current helicopter is a Bell OH-58A. It was manufactured in 1969," said KCSO Air Support Lt. Joel Swanson. "We received it from the military in 1994, and spent a couple years refurbishing it for law enforcement work. It's been flying over the skies of Kern County since 1997." KCSO has two more helicopters, but they aren't much younger. "We purchased those new in 1986," said Lt. Swanson. He said that most law enforcement agencies replace helicopters after about 10,000 flight hours; KCSO's older helicopters have been used nearly twice that amount.

Kern County spans roughly 8,100 square miles with a diverse terrain that includes valleys, mountains and desert, and elevations of 300 ft. to 8,000 ft. "We operate in a challenging environment with hot summers over 100 degrees, cold winters with temperatures below freezing, and as we tested and compared the H125 with other platforms, it quickly became evident that the H125 was the best helicopter overall for all of our missions and provided the best value for the County of Kern," said Swanson.  According to the department, the new helicopters represent $12 million well spent and should be in operation by next summer.

Source:  Airbus Helicopters and www.kget.com

Omaha Takes Delivery of New Bell Aircraft

A new Bell 505 aircraft is now in operation for the Omaha (NE) Police Department (OPD) Air Support Unit. Complete with the latest law enforcement equipment, the Bell 505 will enhance OPD's aviation operations. "OPD has operated Bell aircraft for 25 years," said Chief Pilot Frank Peck. "In addition to our current fleet, the Bell 505 will add enhanced capabilities, specifically night vision capabilities, performance and safety, while also decreasing direct operator and maintenance cost."

The Bell 505 combines the latest avionics and engine control technology with a large open cabin that provides panoramic views for all passengers. A fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and dual channel FADEC controlled Safran Arrius 2R engine provide pilots of all skill levels with maximized situational awareness and workload reduction to fly successfully in a multitude of scenarios.

Source: Bell

Captured A Great Shot Lately? Enter Air Beat's Photo Contest

APSA invites you to enter its annual photo contest that will run April 15 through June 15. The more photos you submit, the greater chances of winning. The winning photo will be revealed on July 28 during APSCON 2022 in Reno, NV, with the winning photographer receiving a GoPro HERO10 Black camera. You do not need to be present to win.

To be eligible, photographers must be an APSA member in good standing. Photos submitted should have a public safety aviation element (aircraft, crew, mission, training, etc.) and include a photo caption of less than 25 words. To submit your photos or learn more, please visit www.airbeatmagazine.com.

Oakland Police Helicopter to Get Video and Tech Upgrades

A budget amendment to replace and upgrade video equipment on the Oakland (CA) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit's two helicopters was approved last month. Equipment being replaced includes cameras and supporting technology, including antennas. Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the new equipment would provide real-time intelligence from the air over a scene to public safety responders on the ground.

The technology is especially important when police are looking for multiple suspects during or immediately after an incident, Bouchard said. The video information can be transmitted to a mobile command unit or other ground unit. He cited a real-life example using the video downlink system, which has a thermal component, during a tanker fire. Bouchard said the fire chief was able to see hotspots and make tactical decisions.

The difference between the helicopter's video systems and drone imagery, Bouchard said, is that helicopters can cover a scene for hours, but drones typically work scenes for between 8 and 13 minutes. He said Oakland County is the primary focus for the helicopters, but there have been instances when they have been used for mutual aid to other counties to search for criminal suspects or missing and endangered people, "because it's all about saving lives."

Source: theoaklandpress.com

Riverside Aviation Unit Orders Two Aircraft, Marks 50-Year Milestone

The Riverside (CA) Police Department Aviation Unit will add two new Airbus H125 helicopters to its law enforcement fleet. "The Aviation Unit is excited to expand its mission capabilities and offer our community additional services by entering into a larger helicopter platform," said Lt. Denny Corbett. "Additional services will include increased flight times for patrol, firefighting capabilities, and officer and citizen rescue capabilities, in addition to other mission essential services. The new H125s are a welcome addition to the current aging helicopter fleet," he said.

The RPD Aviation Unit recently celebrated its 50th year as a law enforcement aviation unit. The Aviation Unit is currently comprised of six pilots, two tactical flight officers and two mechanics. The Aviation Unit maintains a daily flight schedule, providing air support for the City of Riverside, fulfilling a contract to provide air support for the City of Corona, and assisting both city fire departments. The Aviation Unit also maintains relationships with federal agencies, providing support to their federal partners. Delivery of the new helicopters is anticipated in the first half of 2023.

Source:  Airbus Helicopters

Accepting Entries for Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards

The tactical use of airborne thermal imaging can be one of the most powerful tools available to law enforcement. The Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards, returning this year to APSCON, strive to recognize state and local law enforcement agencies for their contributions to public safety through the use of tactical, airborne thermal imagery. Help us honor the very best in airborne law enforcement use of EO/IR technology by entering.

Each year, Teledyne FLIR asks law enforcement to submit their video footage shot during rescues, pursuits, apprehensions and surveillance operations. Entries should highlight the tactical use of EO/IR technology and the importance of the airborne imaging system in the successful completion of the mission. The deadline for video submissions is May 13, 2022, and you can enter here. Multiple entries from each department and airborne team are allowed. Include a brief outline of the incident and list the name, rank and position of each crewmember via the online submission form. All types of infrared and daylight videos will be considered for this award.

Footage from each winning video will be shown as part of the Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards ceremony, as well as highlights from all submitting agencies. Awards will be presented at APSCON 2022 on Thursday, July 28 in Reno, NV.

Source: Teledyne FLIR

MD Helicopters Files For Chapter 11, Announces Restructuring

On March 30, MD Helicopters announced that it had entered into an asset purchase agreement with a creditor consortium led by Bardin Hill and MBIA Insurance Corporation. The creditor consortium will acquire nearly all of MD's assets and provide $60 million in new capital to strengthen MD's financial position and support the company's continued ability to manufacture and service its high-performance helicopters. As part of the process, MD has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a move it said would "allow for a quick and orderly sale."

In a press release announcing the move, MD said it fully expects operations to continue as normal during the sale process. We have ample liquidity to meet our business obligations, including a commitment for additional new financing in connection with this process, and we remain focused on serving civil and military customers and working with suppliers as normal. Our customers are our top priority and we are as dedicated as ever to providing state-of-the-art technology, exceptional performance and the highest quality of service and support.

"Since last year, we have been exploring a potential sale of the company that would enable us to move forward with new ownership to support MD's continued manufacturing operations and maintenance services long into the future, as well as deleverage our capital structure," said Alan Carr, sole director and chairman of the board of MD Helicopters. "After a thorough review of the options available to us, we believe this transaction and court-supervised process will help achieve our objective and create the best path forward for MD and all of our stakeholders."

Source:  verticalmag.com and mdrestructuring.com

Fleeing Suspect Tactics: Monthly Webinar Training Series Free for Members

As part of the education and training program for 2022, APSA is conducting a series of webinars, one a month with the exception of June-August. Recognizing the need to provide training to those members who may not be able to travel to in-person APSA events, these webinars continue the series of live, online training originally brought about by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled for Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm EST, the upcoming schedule and topics in this series are:

April 21:  Fleeing Suspect Tactics | Nick Minx, Tactical Flying, Inc.

May 19: Critical Incident Reviews | Alameda County Sheriff's Office Drone Unit, Rose Lopez, Alameda County Sheriff's Office

September 15:  Using HUMS to Optimize Maintenance & Safety | Ronnie Reis, GPMS International

Registration for these webinars is open. To register, simply click on the webinar(s) you'd like to participate in and complete the registration form. These webinars are offered free of charge to APSA members. 

Interested in sponsoring one or more of these webinars and marketing to the participants?  Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 for details.

Polk County Orders Two More R66 Police Helicopters

Florida's Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Aviation Unit ordered two more R66 Police helicopters from Robinson Helicopter Company last month, less than a year after the department took delivery of its first R66 police helicopter. Centrally located between Orlando and Tampa, PSCO flies an average of 1,100 hours each year providing air support for every law enforcement agency in its 2,000 square mile county as well as surrounding counties. "We are adding a second and third R66 because of our confidence in the helicopter's ability and functionality. It's a great aircraft that has reduced our operating costs by nearly fifty percent," said Sheriff Grady Judd.

Both R66s will be equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks and impact resistant windshields, NVG-compatible cockpit lighting with a full complement of modern avionics including a Garmin G500H display, AeroComputers moving map system, Genesys HeliSAS Autopilot, Technisonic tactical radio, and a Wescam MX-10 camera system. Both new aircraft are scheduled for delivery later this year.

Source: Robinson Helicopter Company

APSA Safety Stand-Tos: Education & Networking

APSA conducts virtual Safety Stand-Tos online as well as in-person Safety Stand-Tos on an on-request basis for members at their facilities. The upcoming Safety Stand-To schedule is:

• VIRTUAL | Firefighting | May 4, 2022
• IN-PERSON | Michigan State Police | May 18, 2022
• VIRTUAL | Canadian | September 28, 2022
• VIRTUAL | Natural Resources | October 26, 2022

To schedule a Safety Stand-To in your area, please contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby at Droby@publicsafetyaviation.org or 717-870-9603.

Join APSA's Online Meeting Groups: Learn From Each Other

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR and Natural Resources personnel, and UAS operators that you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. To facilitate this, the UAS, Safety Officer and Maintenance Technician Meeting Groups meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups meet quarterly.

These meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:

SAR: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

UAS: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)

Safety Officers: Friday, May 27, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Maintenance: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Natural Resources: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Henry1 Helicopter Program Funded for One Year

With fire season fast approaching, the Sonoma County (CA) Board of Supervisors approved to fund the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office helicopter program, known as Henry 1, through June 2023. The board directed staff to investigate long-term funding for the program. Facing an $8 million deficit, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office included the helicopter program on its list of proposed reductions in 2020.

Since its founding in 1974, the helicopter program has been utilized to help the Sheriff's Office with law enforcement and search and rescue operations - in addition to fire suppression and medical services. "Henry 1 is a life-saving asset for the county," said James Gore, Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. "I'm thankful when this bird is in the sky taking care of Sonoma County."

In an incident last month, Henry 1 was requested by the Marin County Fire Department to assist with a rescue. The patient was at the bottom of a steep ravine after falling approximately 150 feet from the trail they had been hiking. Due to the location of the patient, including the depth of the ravine and height of the tree canopy, Henry 1 was requested to complete a 200-foot long line rescue. Henry 1 is the only helicopter in the region with this capability; watch the successful rescue here. 

The additional year of Henry 1 funding will allow time to continue discussing the helicopter program's long-term funding options.

Source: www.kron4.com and shorenewsnetwork.com

Nashville Police Purchase H125 Aircraft

Last month, Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Police Department (MNPD) ordered two new Airbus H125 helicopters to be delivered later this year. Nashville reaches 526 square miles and includes both high-density urban locations and rural areas. Each year, the department's Aviation Unit responds to more than 2,000 calls, including searches for lost children, fleeing felons, drug eradication, robberies and vehicle pursuits.

"We need a versatile, powerful and proven aircraft to help us protect and serve the Nashville community," said MNPD Lt. Tommy Durbin. "After a thorough review of aircraft, it became clear the H125 is the right helicopter for the mission." Standard features on the H125 include dual hydraulics, dual channel engine FADEC, a crash resistant fuel system, and advanced glass-panel cockpit displays. NMPD's fleet will be configured with the latest search, communications and surveillance equipment to support its various airborne law enforcement public safety missions.

"The H125 remains one of the most popular law enforcement helicopters in the U.S., and it's not hard to see why," said Ron Kelley, Airborne Law Enforcement Manager at Airbus Helicopters, Inc. "It thrives in a variety of missions, and law enforcement agencies know it will be there for them when their citizens need it most," he continued.

Source:  Airbus Helicopters

NTSB Released Preliminary Report Of Deadly Helicopter Crash That Killed Officer

The National Transportation Safety Board recently detailed the events that led to the death of Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicholas Vella in its preliminary report of the fatal helicopter crash. According to the report, shortly before the crash, Vella and his pilot were patrolling the air above Newport Beach when they received a call about a fight happening south of their location. The pilot headed towards the area and put the helicopter into a "right-hand orbit" as Vella turned on an infrared camera and began to search for activity.

Vella spotted the fight and relayed his observations to other officers. At the same time, the pilot tightened the orbit. As officers arrived at the scene, the helicopter continued to orbit 500 feet above ground level. According to the pilot, by the time officers arrived, most of the group dispersed. Concerned that an officer and a suspect were about to engage in a fight, the pilot slowed the helicopter when it unexpectedly yawed aggressively to the right. The report states that the pilot applied "full left pedal and forward cyclic to try and arrest the rotation." The corrective maneuvers did not work and failed to elicit a response from the helicopter as it continued to descend.

Shortly before crashing Vella said, "We're having some mechanical issues right now," before saying "we're going down, we're going down," according to the report. More corrective measures failed to stop the rotation and descent, but the engine continued to operate. With the engine still running, the pilot hoped to fly the helicopter out of there "rather than reducing power and performing an autorotation to a populated area".

The pilot sensed the helicopter was about to crash so he attempted to slow down and "bleed off airspeed." The helicopter crashed on Vella's side hard into the water. The pilot said that he recalled seeing water and glass rushing in and was soon submerged. He had to use a "rescue air bottle" to escape and was then pulled onto a boat by onlookers.

Source: MSN.com

North Georgia Sheriff's Office Unveils New Search Drone

The Habersham County (GA) Sheriff's Office has upgraded its Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) program with a state-of-the-art drone and new onboard flight technology. The DJI Mavic 2 comes equipped with visible and thermal imagery through a dual-camera system. That system employs infrared capabilities and will aid in search and rescue (SAR) efforts both day and night.

"This new drone gives us the capability of locating a person in distress, even in pitch black conditions, through the use of thermal imagery," Sheriff Joey Terrell said. "It can enable us to be able to communicate, in real time, with search and rescue resources on the ground the location of the victim, ground accessibility conditions, and other information critical to ground resource operations. It helps us in public safety to better serve our citizens in situations where time is of the essence."

The cost of the drone was just under $4,600 and included other benefits like the ability to search buildings before entry by a deputy, provide fire department commanders with thermal reporting during a fire or hazmat incident, and document large-scale crime scenes through mapping capabilities. Pilots can issue commands from the drone using the attached speaker system or activate a strobe light to help guide a missing person to safety.

HCSO currently relies on a partnership with the Georgia State Patrol when requesting air support through their helicopter stationed near them. During inclement weather, no air support is available. The new drone will allow for rapid deployment of aerial support. The sheriff's office currently has two licensed UAS pilots and is sending another two to school this year.

Source:  www.thenortheastgeorgian.com

Temple Terrace Police Launch Drone Program

Near Tampa, the Temple Terrace (FL) Police Department introduced its Drone Response Team last month. The new drones will search for missing/endangered people, track suspects, assess damage or help identify illegal and unregistered drones. The drone program, which has been in development for a year, will also help with investigating crime scenes and locating car accidents.

Corporal Tim Elmer is the first drone pilot for the City of Temple Terrace; other officers are getting certification. "We are excited to implement a program that will augment the abilities of our officers and our department. The use of drones is truly a force multiplier and will assist our agency in times of need," said Corporal Elmer.

"Using drones will provide us with critical on-scene information that will ultimately lead to keeping officers safer, protecting citizens' lives and providing us with real-time critical information during such operations as search and rescue, disaster response, missing persons, fugitive apprehensions, bomb calls and hazardous material observations, dangerous suspects, civil unrest, event management, SWAT deployments, and crime scene reconstruction," said Temple Terrace Police Chief Ken Albano. On top of helping police investigate crimes, TTPD says the drones will also be used to access areas damaged by hurricanes, tornados and other natural disasters.

Source:  wtsp.com

FAA Names Bill Nolen to Serve as Acting FAA Administrator

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration has named Billy Nolen to serve as acting FAA Administrator after FAA Administrator Steve Dickson departed at the end of March. Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims will also take on an expanded role during this interim period, focusing on the FAA's workforce and the nation's airports. 

"Billy Nolen has extensive expertise in aviation and a deep understanding of the vital role the FAA plays in ensuring the safety of the traveling public," said U.S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "We are grateful to Steve for his service and to Billy and Brad for stepping up to lead the FAA during this critical time."

Before joining the FAA, Nolen was vice president for Safety, Security and Quality for WestJet Airlines in Canada. Prior to his employment at WestJet, Nolen held safety leadership positions at Qantas Airways, Airlines for America and American Airlines. He began his professional career in 1989 as a pilot for American, earning type ratings on Boeing 757, 767 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. He later managed the carrier's Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and rose through the management ranks to become the airline's managing director for corporate safety and regulatory affairs. In 2015, Nolen became senior vice president for safety, security and operations at Airlines for America, a trade group that represents the airlines.

In addition to his professional aviation experience, Nolen served tours of duty in the U.S. Army as an airplane and helicopter pilot and safety officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, as well as specialized aviation safety management certificates from the University of Southern California, United States Army Safety Center and the United States Navy Postgraduate School.

Source: FAA.gov

Pinal County Sheriff Department Continues UH-1H Helicopter Upgrade

As part of a three-phase modification program, StandardAero has begun phase 2 for the Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff’s Department UH-1H helicopter's "Hot, High & Heavy" upgrade. The upgrade is offered to operators who fly in the harshest conditions in the hottest and highest flying environments with significant increased lifting capabilities to successfully complete their critical missions. The phase 2 effort includes installing airframe modifications to the liftbeam, mainbeams, tailboom attach area and engine mount and main transmission mount areas.  It also includes upgrading main transmission and drive shaft assemblies. These airframe modifications are designed for increasing horsepower and torque required for the improved lift capability of 5,000 lbs. external cargo capacity and a 10,500 lbs. external gross weight limitation.

"For the Pinal County Sheriff Department, the additional external lift capabilities will enable them to more effectively operate this proven UH-1H utility helicopter configuration when performing critical firefighting, search and rescue and police operations with the increased performance and external payload capabilities that StandardAero's upgrade provides," said Elvis Moniz, Vice President of Business Development Helicopters Business Unit. Phase 3 is being considered for this same UH-1H helicopter in 2023.  The phase 3 modification will install 212 blades MRH for an improvement to provide 10,500 lbs. internal/11,200 lbs. external gross weight.

Source: www.avm-mag.com

National Aviation Weather Website Seeks User Input

The U.S. National Weather Service is soliciting comments through Oct. 31, 2022 on a significant upgrade to the Aviation Weather Center's website {www.aviationweather.gov}. A preview of the upgraded website is available through the comment period at https://beta.aviationweather.gov.  

The upgrade improves the website's consistency, supportability, mobile friendliness, performance, and ease of use. The information on the upgraded website will be similar to the current website, but the navigation and presentation is adaptable to permit use on mobile devices. Additionally, the new website merges the legacy Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) tool into the same framework as the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation while keeping its focus on low-altitude flight.

Comments and feedback can be submitted via an online survey. If you have questions or comments regarding this upgrade, please contact jennifer.stroozas@noaa.gov or austin.cross@noaa.gov.

Source:  National Weather Service

Air Beat Would Like To Feature Your Aviation Unit; Contact Us

Most articles you read in APSA's Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it's easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It's our editor's job to make you look good, so don't worry if you're not a writer.) Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA's networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation. Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. We would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during March 2022:
 

Switlik Survival Products

Individual Members:

Thaddeus Austin, Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Section
Steven Avila, Hayward (CA) Police Department
Stephen Baggett, Texas Department of Public Safety | Texas Rangers | Tyler
Kenan Bahadir, Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue
Kevin Barris, USCG (CA)
Lee Beissel, SRT (CA)
Frank Bresee, Oklahoma Task Force One
Micayla Browne, Brunswick County (NC) Sheriff's Office
Blake Burris, KCFD (CA)
Christopher Chavous, Support 1 (SC)
Michael Chernivec, TX Dept. of Public Safety
Jonathon Christian, Texas Department of Public Safety | Texas Rangers | HOU
Jason Connell, SR3 Rescue Concepts (NV)
Jason Day, Texas Department of Public Safety
James Deczynski, Alachua County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Robert Dixon, Columbus (OH) Police Department | Aviation Section - Helicopter Unit
Eugene Dooling, Skyscan50.com (FL)
Frederick DuFault, Benton County (AR) Sheriff's Office
Blake Ellsworth, Michigan State Police | Aviation Section
Nicholas Fladland, Northeast UAS (ND)
Johnnie Freeman, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Aaron Fritch, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Chris Gates, TX DPS Aircraft
Richard Gauert, Benton County (AR) Sheriff's Office
Robert Germany, Texas Department of Public Safety | Houston Duty Station
Christopher Germany, Texas Highway Patrol
Jonathan Gholson, Civil Air Patrol (AZ)
Graeme Gleeson, New South Wales Police Force Aviation Support Branch
James Graham, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Stephen Gray, Texas Rangers
Jim Grisham, Pima County (AZ) Sheriff's Department | Tactical Air Support Unit
James Heckman, Two Bear Air Rescue Foundation (MT)
Stephen Heins, Oklahoma Task Force One
Kate Howe, New South Wales Police Force Aviation Support Branch
Burtnett Jerrod, Texas Department of Public Safety | Highway Patrol Lubbock
Glenn Ray Jimenez, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Cody Klaehn, Texas Department of Public Safety | Criminal Investigations
Rae Lee, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Michael Llamas, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (CA)
Jamie Lofton, RescueGear, Inc (TX)
William Mahan, Independent Member
Scott Martin, Columbus (OH) Police Department | Aviation Section - Helicopter Unit
Joshua Mason, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Steven Mayfield, Texas Department of Public Safety | Austin
Jeffrey Mays, Columbus (OH) Police Department | Aviation Section - Helicopter Unit
Kavin Miller, Texas Department of Public Safety | San Antonio Duty Station
Braydon Moore, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Burl Nicholson, Oklahoma Task Force One
Michael Öhman, Swedish Police Air Support Unit (AB)
Enoi Phoutthavong, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Luke Pinner, Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Section
Maxwell Prince, Michigan State Police | Aviation Section
Reid Rackley, Texas Department of Public Safety | Austin
Arturo Requenez, Texas Department of Public Safety | Weslaco
Christopher Ricketson, Coweta County (GA) Sheriff’s Office
Robyn Roe, San Juan County (NM) Sheriff Office
Jason Rolison, Texas Department of Public Safety | Highway Patrol | Corpus Christi
Robert Rugg, US Army Retired (NC)
Jose Sanchez, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Michael Schmitt, Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Support Division
Terry Sivadon, Oklahoma Task Force One
Matt Skellern, NSW Police Force
Karim Slate, Orange County (CA) Fire Authority | Irvine
Tracey Smith, Michigan State Police | Aviation Section
Barry Smith, On Scene Publishing (NV)
Terry Snyder, Texas Department of Public Safety | Texas Rangers | Floresville
William Spencer, Henrico County (VA) Police Department Metro Aviation
Allen Stanton, Texas Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Ryan Stephens, Oklahoma Task Force One
Anthony Stevens, Pima County (AZ) Sheriff's Department
Paul St-Onge, Aero Concept Systems Inc. (ON)
Blaine Stormer, Michigan State Police | Aviation Section
Michael Thomas, Michigan State Police | Aviation Section
Paul Updegraff, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) PD
Cesar Villarreal, Texas Department of Public Safety | Highway Patrol | Corpus Christi
Jeffrey Weber, Virginia State Police Aviation Unit (Richmond)
Chris Weidler, Illinois State Police
Keith Wojnar, Ventura County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit

If you know of other public safety aviators or industry-related companies that could benefit by becoming APSA members, please share this link and help our association grow in 2022!