APSA E-Newsletter : 2016-August

Welcome!

APSA Honors Excellence With Annual Awards

Each year during our annual conference, APSA honors those who have gone above and beyond and made a significant impact in public safety aviation. The Association has seven awards to recognize these deserving individuals for outstanding acts of valor or meritorious service.

The 2016 honorees are (pictured left to right, top to bottom):

Robert L. Cormier Award • Officer Jack H. Schonely, Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division (retired)

Captain "Gus" Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award • Constables Tyler Tebbutt (PIC) & Chris Anderson (TFO), Edmonton Police Service, Canada

Safety Award • Special Agent Troy Smith, Safety Program Manager for the Federal Bureau of Investigation Aviation and Surveillance Operations

Fixed-Wing Operator of the Year Award • Sgt. Wade Bourassa (PIC) & Constable Kristopher Kluz (TFO), Saskatoon Police Service, Canada

Technical Specialist of the Year Award • Maintenance Technician Kristopher Gunter, Tampa (FL) Police Department Aviation Unit

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Award • Alan Frazier, Associate Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks County (ND) Sheriff's Office Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit

Tactical Flight Officer of the Year Award • Constable Chris Anderson, Edmonton Police Service, Canada

See the September/October issue of Air Beat for a complete recap of the conference, award winners, and scholarship recipients. 

Firefighter Dies After Fall From DSP Helicopter

A volunteer firefighter, Tim McClanahan, 46, died in mid-July after he reportedly fell from a Delaware State Police (DSP) helicopter during a training exercise. According to the department, the DSP Aviation Unit was conducting a routine training exercise with the Delaware Air Rescue Team, which includes volunteer firefighters throughout the state and troopers assigned to the aviation unit. Police said a pilot and trooper medic, along with the two volunteer firefighters, were onboard for the exercise. As one of the firefighters stepped onto the helicopter skid, he fell from an undetermined height onto a grassy area.

The helicopter landed, and the medic and other firefighter rendered medical assistance. Sussex County paramedics and emergency medical services responded and transported McClanahan to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He was recently honored with a motorcade, and police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

SOURCE: www.coastalpoint.com 

Public Safety Aviation in Savannah: 2016 APSA EXPO

APSA EXPO 2016 was held from July 18 to 23 and hosted by the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department Air Support Unit. The conference and exposition included a packed tradeshow floor, nine conference courses, water survival training, and more than 55 hours of conference classes, workshops and technical briefings.

In addition to the APSA awards, others were recognized during APSA's conference. The 2016 FLIR Vision Awards were presented to Tulsa (OK) Police Department Air Support Unit for first place; second place to Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aviation Support Unit; and third place to Osceola County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Santa Barbara County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit received the Fang Award and the Washington State Patrol Aviation Section earned Honorable Mention for the best pursuit.

Read more about the conference in the September/October issue of Air Beat. APSA will host next year's conference in Reno, Nevada; mark your calendars for the week of July 23-28, 2017.

SOURCE: APSA 

White House to Review Military Surplus Changes

Amid the rise in ambush attacks against officers, the White House plans to review a decision made last year to limit the distribution of military surplus gear to law enforcement agencies across the county. Many airborne law enforcement units rely on military surplus equipment to perform their missions.

The 2015 changes prohibit departments from receiving equipment like riot gear and armored vehicles. Jim Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, and Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, said President Obama has agreed to review the list of banned items. White House chief legal counsel Neil Eggleston is expected to perform the review. A White House official said the administration regularly reviews what military equipment can be transferred to law enforcement and that it wants to ensure departments get "the tools that they need to protect themselves and their communities while at the same time providing the level of accountability that should go along with the provision of federal equipment."

SOURCE: www.officer.com

LAPD Increases Helicopter Patrols After Police Shootings

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced it would be increasing patrols of all units, including helicopters, in the wake of the ambush in Baton Rouge, LA that took the lives of three police officers last month, as well as the fatal shooting of five officers in Dallas, TX. LAPD's Air Support Division typically has one or two air units on patrol; it primarily used three during the month of July, according to a spokesperson. Police said the unit's AS350 B2s are the most effective way to ensure safety following the deadly officer shootings.

SOURCE: www.laweekly.com 

Baltimore County Police Department Recognized by Airbus

The Baltimore County (MD) Police Department Aviation Team was recognized by Airbus Helicopters on July 21 at the Airborne Public Safety Association conference and expo in Savannah, GA. Baltimore County has totaled 15,000 accident-free flight hours in the H125 since putting its AStars into service in 2007 and has recorded 36,000 accident-free hours since 1983.

The unit began operations with a small Cessna aircraft that it leased for $1 a year. Today, the team responds to some 5,000 calls a year using its fleet of three AStars. The team provides 16 hours of patrol coverage each day with 24-hour on-call availability, participating in a range of airborne police missions, including daily patrol and neighborhood crime fighting.

SOURCE: Airbus Helicopters, Inc. 

Washington Firefighters Help Salvage Helicopter

As a damaged helicopter hovered above Yakima, WA, air terminal in mid-July, firefighters stacked pallets on the tarmac to ensure it could land safely. The King County Sheriff's Office helicopter had been attempting to insert search personnel on a mountain when a rock outcropping damaged its fuselage and one skid. The helicopter headed to the nearest airport with a full-time fire crew onsite. In order to compensate for the broken skid, firefighters stacked the pallets on one side of the helicopter. The aircraft, one of several being used to search for a missing 60-year-old man, landed without further incident.

SOURCE: www.yakimaherald.com

Metro Aviation Completes First Two H135s in U.S.

Metro Aviation has delivered two Airbus Helicopters H135 (P3) aircraft to California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), the first of five H135 air medical transport helicopters the operator ordered last year. CALSTAR is the first U.S. customer for this updated variant of the popular twin-engine helicopter among air medical transport public service operators.

"This aircraft proved its capabilities to us during a rigorous, competitive fly off we conducted last August from our South Lake Tahoe base," said Lynn Malmstrom, CALSTAR president and CEO. "Our pilots and crews were enthusiastically in favor of moving forward with this aircraft. And from a fleet, maintenance and support perspective, it fits beautifully with our new fleet of eight Airbus EC135P2+ aircraft."

The aircraft boasts increased power with Pratt & Whitney PW206B3 turbine engines driving a new, larger main rotor. Metro Aviation was the chosen completion partner for CALSTAR's previous aircraft and obtained supplemental type certificate amendments for an EMS configuration package, air conditioning and options installed on the H135 (P3).

SOURCE: www.rotor.org

APSA Hosts Online Group Meetings

APSA will be hosting an online meeting for Safety Officers on Tuesday, August 16, from 1-2 pm EDT (1700 UTC) and for UAS Operators on Thursday, August 25, from 1-2 pm EDT (1700 UTC). Meetings are conducted though an online conference call you can join using your computer or phone. They are open to any APSA member.

To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list for future notices of APSA Online Group Meetings, send an email to safety@PublicSafetyAviation.org.

Turkish National Police Deploys UAS

The Turkish National Police recently put the first of three Bayraktar TB2 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into service. The unmanned aircraft system, along with its ground control unit, was delivered in late June following tests and approval procedures. The second system will be delivered later this year.

The Bayraktar TB2 is expected to be used in terrorist operations in the country's eastern and southeastern Anatolia regions. The original Turkish design is one of the "premiere achievements of the Turkish defense industry," according to its manufacturers.

SOURCE: www.uasvision.com

Man Fined for Pointing Laser at Police Helicopter

A Canadian man who repeatedly pointed a laser at the Edmonton Police Service's Air-1 helicopter was fined $1,500 in mid-July. The 21-year-old earlier pled guilty in provincial court to one count under the Federal Aeronautics Act of creating a hazard to aviation.

The man reportedly pointed a green laser in three short bursts at the Edmonton Police Service helicopter on Aug. 2, 2015. The pilot was able to quickly pinpoint the origination point of the laser, and a police cruiser responded to the location. Officers found the man and two others sitting around a fire. The man admitted what he had done and was cooperative and apologetic.

SOURCE: www.edmontonjournal.com

Did You Know?

Did you know APSA logo merchandise is available year-round through our online store, The Hangar?  If you didn't get the chance to stop by The Hangar in Savannah, it's not too late to get your commemorative conference challenge coin or t-shirt, or any of the other great APSA logo merchandise.  Umbrellas, backpacks, polo shirts, baseball caps, mugs, jackets, padfolios and more!  Show your APSA pride, shop today at http://aleahangaronline.com/.  

LAPD Contracts for Tactical Radio Support

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Air Support Division has selected Cobham's Flexcomm RT-7000 panel-mount tactical radio for its fleet of 14 AS350 B2 and five Bell JetRanger B3 helicopters, as well as its King Air fixed-wing aircraft. The unit provides citywide air support to patrol units in their efforts to reduce crime and enhance officer and public safety.

The RT-7000 tactical radio features a software-defined design, with a modular architecture that can be upgraded as an operator's requirements and mission change. "Cobham tactical communications products have been proven in service with LAPD for many years, and we are excited to now move forward with the next generation," LAPD Air Support Division Chief Tactical Flight Officer Cole Burdette said.

SOURCE: www.rotor.org

Two British Men Sentenced for Police Laser Incident

Two U.K. men were jailed after they were convicted of pointing a laser pen at a police helicopter that was searching for a missing person in mid-July. The search had to be called off. The 46-year-old and 22-year-old pled guilty to a count of endangering the safety of an aircraft and its passengers.

The police helicopter crew reported it was circling a park looking for the missing person when a laser pen was shone in their eyes. The crew was forced to take evasive action and call off the search, but a recording of the scene on the ground showed one man passing a laser pen to another. They threw the pen away, but it was later recovered. Both men were apprehended about 16 minutes after the first flash occurred. One of the perpetrators had 71 previous convictions and was sentenced to eight months in jail. The other, who wept in court, was jailed for six months.

SOURCE: www.digitaljournal.com 

MD Helicopters Partners With Howell Instruments

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) selected Howell Instruments, Inc. to engineer a customized engine instrumentation system for use in new production units of its single-engine helicopters. The engine instrumentation system, comprised of a data acquisition unit, two Aspen display units and a configuration model, will provide precise data in an easy-to-use all-glass format to enhance both pilot safety and performance. To support customer requirements, the MD 600N and MD 530F will be the first aircraft to feature the new displays.

SOURCE: www.verticalmag.com

Sonoma County Crew Responds to Four Incidents in Four Hours

The Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Office helicopter rescued several hikers and a near-drowning victim over four hours on July 24. The chopper crew responded to four incidents, including an injured German tourist who fell on a remote hiking trail. The late-50s woman was extricated on a 200-foot-line and taken to an ambulance, according to Sergeant Cecile Focha.

Later, the helicopter was dispatched to a park in Sonoma Valley to rescue a dehydrated married couple, who was rescued using a 100-foot line and taken to an ambulance. Just an hour later, the crew was back to the same area on a report of a hiker in distress. The man was able to walk away from the incident on his own.

Finally, the helicopter responded to a report of an unconscious woman who had been underwater for several minutes. She was pulled out and flown to a hospital. She is expected to survive.

SOURCE: www.pressdemocrat.com

UAS Donated to Virginia Sheriff’s Office 

The Albemarle County (VA) Sheriff's Department will soon be using an unmanned aircraft system to help with search and rescue efforts. The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors in early July voted unanimously to approve the donation of the UAS to the sheriff's office. The $1,500 small, unmanned aircraft was donated by David King, founder of King Family Vineyards and an auxiliary sheriff's deputy.

Sheriff Chip Harding said authorities would be using the device only for search and rescue efforts. It will be allowed to fly up to 400 feet AGL to take photos and videos.

SOURCE: www.wtop.com 

California Sheriff's Crew Rescues Injured Hiker

The San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department dispatched its Air Rescue 306 helicopter to assist a female who sustained injuries while hiking on July 25 and needed to be hoisted out due to rough terrain.  Pilot Corporal Mike Gilley flew the rescue helicopter into the canyon area and hovered over the victim's location.  Crew chief Deputy Carlos Quezada hoisted Air Medic Melanie Munns down 85 feet, where she made contact with the 32-year-old hiker.  The victim and Munns were then hoisted to safety.  The female hiker was transported by ambuland to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

SOURCE: www.highlandnews.net

 APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during July 2016:

Corporate Members

Allied Powers, LLC
Apogee Worx, LLC
Flight Research
Helicopter Aviation Services & Leasing, Inc.
    (dba) Airborne Tactical Training Solutions
JJSAPP Engineering Services
Lowe Aviation Services
Malmrose Heli Services, Inc.

Individual Members   

Don Baker, US Customs & Border Protection
Brian Barre, Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau
Shawn Barta, Minnesota State Patrol Flight Section
Paul Barth, Helicopter Aviation Services & Leasing, Inc. (dba) Airborne Tactical Training Solutions
Kenneth Beck, Palm Beach County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Joshua Bellesen, Washington State Patrol Aviation Unit
Zachary Bloomfield, Washington State Patrol Aviation Unit
Dwayne Bolen, Ontario Provincial Police
Adam Bunker, Citrus County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Daniel Buzzard, Burbank/Glendale (CA) Police Air Support Unit
Brent Byars, Charleston County (SC) Sheriff's Office
Scott DeMasso, Brevard County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Justin DeStories, Precision Heli-Support, LLC
Michael Dixon, Southern Software, Inc.
Ron Dobbins, Hall County (GA) Sheriff's Office
Jeffrey Edgerton, California Highway Patrol Northern Division
Kris Edgmon, Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Operations (Headquarters)
Jarred Elliott, Washington State Patrol Aviation Unit
Saben Emery, Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Operations (Headquarters)
John Falk, Vigilent, Inc.
John Gilkerson, Burbank/Glendale (CA) Police Air Support Unit
Jorge Gonzalez, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
William Hall, St. Johns County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Michael Hampshire, Independent
Brent Haptonstall, Brevard County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Peter Helzer, Portland (OR) Police Bureau Air Support Unit
Mike Jackson, Oklahoma City (OK) Police Department
Deanna Jarrett, Tumeq, LLC
Mark Johnson, Independent
Robert Kelly, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
James Kennedy, St. Johns County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Robert Kennedy, Gainesville (FL) Police Department
Mathew King, Cass County (ND) Sheriff's Office
Joseph Kingman, California Highway Patrol
Tarry Kirkland, ManTech International
John Lam, Skyewatch America
Cord Laws, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Raymond Lynn, Maryland State Police Aviation Command
Tony Mak, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Rockney Malone, Fort Worth Police Department
Marco Marin, California Highway Patrol
Vincent Marino-Vitani, Brevard County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Vince Mascia, MD Helicopters, Inc.
Dennis Mason, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Ron Mays, Police Aviation Support Services
Joseph McClain, Washington State Patrol Aviation Unit
Shane McKenna, U.S. Army
Dan Meyer, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Chad Millward, California Highway Patrol
Shawn Nichols, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Jerry Osterloh, Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit
Joe Pina, Troll Systems Corporation
Carl Povilaitis, Burbank/Glendale (CA) Police Air Support Unit
Todd Powell, Spokane (WA) Fire Department
Anthony Repicky, Collier County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Bureau
Bob Riley, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Justin Robinson, City of Murfreesboro (TN)
Elias Rodriguez, San Diego (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit
Jayson Smith, Tulsa Police (OK) Department Aviation Unit
Timothy Sobus, Federal Bureau of Investigation (NC)
Garry Stewart, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON)
James Taggart, Atlantic Cape Community College
Candise Tu, Civic Helicopters, Inc.
Eric Valentine, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Chasity Van Auken, Washington State Patrol Aviation Unit
Ian Veltri, Airborne Tactical Training Solutions Inc.
Shawn Wills, California Highway Patrol Central Division
Jason Wollard, New Mexico State Police Aviation Unit
Ricky Wright, Polk County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
 

Western Region Safety Seminar Heads to Palm Desert

The 2016 Western Region Safety Seminar will be held Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Palm Desert, CA. Hosted by the Riverside Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the seminar is offered free of charge for all active APSA members and will cover a wide range of topics including FAA updates, SMS, aviation
physiology, NVGs, human factors and UAS, as well as unit commander and safety officer roundtables and an aircrew workshop. This event also includes a mini-tradeshow and several sponsored networking opportunities.

The seminar will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, where a group discount of $90.00 per night (plus tax and a $10/night resort fee) is available through August 19. Book your room today! For more information about this seminar, visit http://alea.org/2016-western-region-safety-seminar-palm-desert-ca or contact Region Director Dave Ellis at dellis@PublicSafetyAviation.org.