APSA E-Newsletter : 2016-July

Welcome!

APSA EXPO 2016 on Final Approach; Join Us in Savannah!

Time is running out to register for APSA EXPO 2016, to be held July 18-23 in Savannah, GA. Advanced registration ends at 5:00 pm on Monday, July 11^th, so register today to take advantage of discounted advance registration pricing. Onsite registration will be available, however, at the higher regular rate. For last minute information on the conference or registration, please  visit www.alea.org/alea-expo-2016-savannah-ga.

The premier annual public safety aviation event, APSA EXPO features cutting edge education and training courses presented by the top experts in the industry, an extensive exhibition floor highlighting the latest aviation technology and an ideal opportunity to network with the most influential individuals in airborne policing. Don’t delay; make your reservations to join APSA in Savannah. See you there!

Florida Man Who Fired on Sheriff’s Helicopter Arrested 

A man who stole a fuel tanker and fired shots at a Polk County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit helicopter during a crime spree that spanned 10 days has been arrested, according to police. The man’s alleged crime spree began June 16 when he stole an all-terrain vehicle. He returned to steal a second ATV two days later. The 31-year-old also reportedly stole a dump truck and a fuel tanker with 850 gallons of diesel.

When he was caught, the man told deputies he believed they had a shoot-to-kill warrant and ran because he feared for his life. Deputies said the suspect did not have an explanation for why he repeatedly fired a handgun at the sheriff’s office helicopter. The man is charged with 39 counts, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

 SOURCE: www.wesh.com

FAA Finalizes Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems, known as Part 107. The administration said the new regulations are intended to safely spur job growth, advance scientific research and save lives. According to industry estimates, the rules could generate more than $82 billion for the U.S. economy and create more than 100,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.

The new rules, which take effect in late August, offer safety regulations for unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds that are conducting non-hobbyist operations. The regulations require pilots to keep an unmanned aircraft within visual line of sight. Operations are allowed during daylight and twilight if the UAS has anti-collision lights. The new regulations also address height and speed restrictions and other operational limits, such as prohibiting flights over unprotected people who aren’t directly participating in the UAS operation.

FAA is offering a process to waive some restrictions if an operator proves the proposed flight will be conducted safely. The administration said it would make an online portal available to apply for these waivers in the months ahead.

SOURCE: Federal Aviation Administration

Two New York Men Arrested After Chase Involving Police Helicopter

A New York State Police Helicopter was instrumental in apprehending two men who ran from authorities in late June. The men were jailed following a traffic stop in which cocaine and cash were seized. Troopers conducted the traffic stop because the automobile had illegal window tint.

A consent search of the vehicle yielded a plastic baggie containing approximately 13 grams of cocaine and a small bag containing money. One of the men grabbed the money and ran. New York State Police Aviation and K-9 Units, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security initiated a search. The men were apprehended and transported to the Ogdensburg State Police Department, where they were processed. They were charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest.

SOURCE: www.northcountrynow.com 

San Bernardino Completes First of Three 12-Year Inspections

The San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) has put one of its Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 AStars back in service after its 12-year inspection and sent another to complete the process. The inspections are being performed by Vector Aerospace, a global provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

SBCSD flew its second AStar to Vector’s hangar in Langley, Canada, on June 20 and returned home with the first completed aircraft, work on which included a full Arriel 2B1 engine overhaul and comprehensive repainting. Vector is scheduled to receive the third and final SBCSD helicopter early next year.

SOURCE: Vector Aerospace

Kathryn Purwin Commits to Law Enforcement as New Helinet CEO

Kathryn Purwin, a jet and helicopter pilot, is the owner and newly announced CEO of Helinet Aviation Services.

Under Kathryn’s leadership, the company is expanding its Helinet Technologies division, more than doubling its sales staff. Helinet Technologies, which specializes in the delivery of digital and data transmission from airborne, marine and ground-based platforms, serves 26 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and internationally. Sergeant Jorge Gonzalez, LAPD, Air Support Division stated: “Helinet has been a valued partner in supporting our airborne law enforcement operations over the past decade.” The number of local, state and federal government agencies utilizing real-time transmission and distribution of HD video and data continues to grow.

“We are committed to helping law enforcement agencies across the county develop customized, turnkey solutions that have been widely adopted among agencies nationally and internationally,” Purwin said. “My husband’s dedication to public safety was long standing, and Helinet is proud to continue to build on that legacy.”

Helinet, headquartered in Los Angeles, is a leading international provider of emergency medical services, electronic newsgathering, motion picture, television and commercial production services, as well as corporate travel, since 1987.

SOURCE: Helinet 

Rash of Laser Strikes Continues in U.K.

The month of June featured another slew of laser pointer attacks against police helicopters in the U.K. “What may seem harmless fun to the culprit could potentially have devastating consequences for the crew and passengers in the aircraft as well as innocent members of the public on the ground,” NPAS Chief Ollie Dismore said. “In serious cases, using a laser pointer in this way can carry a prison sentence.”

On June 5, an NPAS helicopter operated by the Devon and Cornwall Police was targeted with a green laser pen, and the bright light dazzled the pilots. The perpetrator was arrested and dealt with “robustly,” according to officials. On June 19, two teenagers were arrested after a laser was shone at a police helicopter and commercial airplane over Braintree. Essex Police arrested the two 19-year-old men on suspicion of shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle or distract the pilot. A Lancashire man was then arrested for lasing a police helicopter on June 20. The helicopter, based at Warton, was helping Preston police with a manhunt. That same night, a 44-year old man was arrested for shining a laser pen at a police helicopter during a security alert in which a gun was found.

SOURCE: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk, www.dunmowbroadcast.co.uk, www.ipswichstar.co.uk and www.wigantoday.net  

Maryland Police Helicopter Helps Rescue Jet Skier

A Maryland State Police helicopter and area water rescue crews combined to rescue a jet ski rider who spent a night stranded along a river after his watercraft developed mechanical problems in early June. The man’s wife reported him missing when he did not return from his jet skiing trip.

The Maryland State Police helicopter, along with boats from the U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland Natural Resources Police and Aberdeen Proving Ground Police Department, were called in to conduct a search for the man, whose van and jet ski trailer were located in a parking lot. The helicopter crew spotted the man early the next morning near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. He was not injured, but he was fatigued from his ordeal, state police said.

SOURCE: www.baltimoresun.com 

Tokyo Police Orders Two New AW109s

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police has signed a contract with Leonardo-Finmeccanica for two brand new AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker helicopters. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2017. The department is the first Asian law enforcement agency to operate the Trekker. Civil certification of the helicopter is expected by the end of the year.

More than 150 AgustaWestland helicopters of various types have been sold in Japan to date for a wide range of commercial and government roles. More than 80 AW109 series helicopters are in service or on order in the country in more than 40 law enforcement applications.

SOURCE: www.verticalmag.com

Newark Police Helicopter has Big Weekend

A Newark (NJ) Police Department helicopter crew helped members of the unit’s Special Enforcement Bureau arrest three suspects, confiscate two illegal motorcycles and issue 22 traffic tickets during a targeted enforcement operation on June 19. The weekend operation was part of an effort to target the owners of illegal off-road motorcycles, as well as those “engaged in other illegal activities,” according to a police statement.

Authorities said the department’s helicopter helped officers observe suspects’ activities from the air while directing ground troops. “The helicopter keeps officers in cars from having to chase suspects in vehicles and needlessly endanger the lives of our residents,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. The three arrests were of an 18-year-old dirt bike rider who attempted to elude officers before crashing, a 34-year-old man in possession of heroin and marijuana and a 39-year-old man “driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed.”

SOURCE: www.patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj

Did You Know?

Did you know that APSA produces a limited-edition commemorative challenge coin for each APSA EXPO? It is a tradition that began five years ago. They are available first to EXPO attendees at our onsite store, The Hangar, with any remaining coins sold online through our website. And an even more limited collector’s set will be available at APSA EXPO 2016 in Savannah. It consists of the first five EXPO commemorative coins (2012-2016) and a handsome wooden display stand … all for only $50.00! Stop by The Hangar early as only 35 of these collector’s sets will be available.  

Suffolk Police Rescue Boy, Father in Riptide

The Suffolk County (NY) Police Department rescued an 11-year-old boy and his father after they were pulled off a beach by a riptide in late June. Officers from the department’s Aviation Section found the boy and his father and kept them in sight while marine bureau officers pulled them out of the water.

The boy was pulled away from the shore while swimming and said he couldn’t make it back because of the riptide. His father paddled out on a body board, grabbed his son and held onto him, but the riptide continued to push them out to sea. The man and boy ended up nearly a half-mile away from shore. After being rescued by the aviation and marine bureau team, they were taken to a nearby Coast Guard station and examined. They did not suffer injuries.

SOURCE: www.newyork.cbslocal.com

CHP Helicopter Rescues Lost Female Hiker

A California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter crew rescued a lost hiker in late June. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office contacted CHP Helicopter 24 for assistance locating the lone female hiker, who had called for help. The CHP helicopter responded from the Sacramento area and spotted the woman after 10 to 15 minutes on-scene. The helicopter landed near the woman and a crewmember hiked to her. She was not injured and in good spirits. The crew flew the woman to the sheriff’s command post at the South Lake Tahoe Airport, where search and rescue personnel assisted her.

SOURCE: www.sacbee.com

San Bernardino Crew Uses NVGs to Save Man Who Fell 75 Feet

The crew of San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff’s Helicopter 40-King-5 used night vision goggles to find an injured 19-year-old who fell about 75 feet at a waterfall in late June. The man was with friends at the falls when he slipped on a steep, rocky slope and sustained life-threatening injuries. Due to the remote location and terrain, San Bernardino County Fire personnel requested the sheriff’s helicopter to conduct a hoist rescue.

Pilot Deputy Jim Landry, hoist operator Deputy Edward Leon and air medic Matt Perkins responded. As Landry held the helicopter over the scene, Leon lowered Perkins approximately 110 feet to the injured man. After assessing his injuries, Perkins packaged him in a Bauman Bag, and the man was hoisted into the helicopter. He was flown to a nearby hospital for treatment.

SOURCE: www.rotwnews.com

Dallas Avionics to Demonstrate PowerSonix System with Savannah Police Department

Dallas Avionics will demonstrate a PowerSonix PS-SPK-300 and PS-AMP 800 public address system at APSA EXPO 2016 in Savannah, GA, from 17:10 to 17:30 prior to the Pig Pickin’ on July 21. Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department Chief Pilot Scott Yackel will be flying the department’s MD500 aircraft equipped with the PowerSonix equipment. The public address system will be playing a pre-recorded loop to show the power and sound quality of the system.

“The Powersonix systems are high quality systems that provides law enforcement officials with the ability to amplify their voice over the loud noises in urban settings,” said Dallas Avionics Southeast Regional Salesman Todd Enloe. “We appreciate the people of Savannah and the Savannah Police Department for demonstrating the quality of this system at APSA for us.”

Dallas Avionics will have several Powersonix demonstration models and other vital law enforcement communication equipment at APSA EXPO’s exhibit for attendees to see.   

Man Arrested for Pointing Laser Pen at Ireland’s Helicopter

A 44-year-old man has been arrested for shining a laser pen directly at a Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) helicopter during a security alert in which a gun was found. Residents took refuge in a community center after a suspicious device was reported in the area. While the area was blocked off, a PSNI helicopter was dispatched to assist officers on the ground. During the search, the laser pen was aimed directly into the cockpit.

Commenting on the incident, Chief Inspector Alan Hutton said, "The crew of the helicopter were able to direct officers on the ground to a house where the suspect was arrested. Following a search of the property, a bag of lasers was recovered."

LAPD Aviation Celebrates 60th Anniversary

On June 17, 2016, the Los Angeles Police Department’s airborne law enforcement program celebrated its 60th anniversary. The program began with one helicopter in 1956. Today, the Air Support Division (ASD) is the largest municipal airborne law enforcement operation in the world, and boasts the nation’s largest rooftop heliport. LAPD’s Air Support Division now has a fleet of 12 AS350 B2/H125 helicopters. The unit flies between 17,000-18,500 hours per year, and there is always at least one helicopter in the air conducting patrol 24 hours per day. Last year, they responded to 70,000 incidents, and they were first on scene (before a patrol car) on over 12,000 part one crimes (the most serious classification of crimes by the FBI).

The Hooper Heliport is the Los Angeles Police Department’s airborne law enforcement program's base of operations in downtown Los Angeles and is the busiest heliport in the country. 

RAVEN Aircrew Encounters Near Miss with UAV

A police helicopter operating during a fire in Reno, NV last month had a near miss with a UAV as the remotely operated device flew underneath the aircraft. Doug Russell, chief pilot and deputy for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division, was headed back to the airport after making a water drop when his co-pilot spotted the drone as it flew below their Regional Aviation Enforcement Unit, or RAVEN, helicopter.

“My co-pilot didn’t even have a chance to jump on the controls,” said Russell, who did not see the drone at first. “It happened that fast.” Russell was eventually able to locate the drone, which he says had the familiar red markings of a DJI Phantom quadcopter. Russell watched as it landed and continued visual contact until authorities arrived on the scene to talk to a teenager and older man who were operating the drone. First-time offenders of drone safety laws usually get a warning. Tracking and confirming the drone’s location was important because of its potential impact on air operations in the area, Russell said.

“At a minimum, it could have shut down aircraft operations for the fire,” Russell said. “Now you’re putting firefighters’ lives and people’s homes and property in jeopardy.” The incident also could have been far worse if the drone made physical contact with the helicopter. At the time, the HH-1H Huey helicopter was traveling at a speed of 80 knots, or about 90 miles per hour, Russell said. Even if it was just a glancing blow, hitting a drone at that speed would "probably ruin your day," Russell quipped as he referenced the many moving parts of a helicopter. “Because the rotors are spinning at a high RPM, things will start catastrophically failing once the system is out of balance,” Russell said. “It will start taking itself apart.”

In 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration saw less than one close encounter per day between drones and aircraft. In 2015, the number jumped to 3.5 per day. The FAA now receives more than 100 drone sighting reports per month from pilots, law enforcement and citizens. The close encounters involve a variety of aircraft, including commercial airlines as well as hospital and law enforcement helicopters.

SOURCE: www.rgj.com  

Ohio Department Buys UAS for Police, Firefighters

The Oregon (OH) Police Department, along with the local fire department, has purchased an unmanned aircraft system for the city’s sole use. Oregon had been in talks with several other departments about purchasing a UAS for shared use.

The local city council voted unanimously to buy a Matrice 100 quadcopter from Toledo Aerial Media for $35,449 on June 27. The aircraft is reportedly built to military specifications, and the price includes a zoom lens, high-resolution camera, thermal camera, two batteries, carrying case, training for 10 officers, mapping software and an iPad Mini for flight control. Police Chief Mike Navarre said the UAS could be used in hostage and barricade situations, as well as search and rescue efforts, especially over water. The fire department is expected to use the aircraft to detect and attack the hottest spots in fires.

Original plans called for Oregon to buy a $75,000 Lockheed Martin UAS to share with Toledo Police and the Lucas County Sheriff's Office. The Toledo City Council would not approve the purchase.

SOURCE: www.toledoblade.com

Fairport Police Use UAS for Festival Patrol

The Fairport (NY) Police Department employed unmanned aircraft systems to aid in patrol of the city’s 40th annual Canal Days festival in early June. The festival attracts about 250,000 people annually, and police said the UAS were on hand in case of the need to search for missing children or keep tabs on traffic patterns, among other things.

Fairport Police Chief Sam Farina said the festival usually goes off without incident, and the UAS were simply an extra level of protection. “It's an on-demand technology that we can use to quickly put a camera up in the sky so we can take a look at the crowd,” he said. "If something comes up, and we need immediate aerial view, we have the ability to do that." Fairport acquired the aircraft from Skeye Drone Aviation, which had three on hand in case of need.

SOURCE: www.13wham.com

APSA Welcomes New Members

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

Corporate Members

AeroServices
Avenge, Inc.
Forge Resources Group
Howell Instruments, Inc.
Kipper Tool Company
KSI Data Sciences
Sentient Vision Systems Inc.

Individual Members   

Erol Agaoglu, Williamson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Eric Allen, Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aero Burea
Ed Borda, Calcasieu Parish (LA) Sheriff's Office
Michel Buschmann, Luxembourg Police Air Support Unit
Samantha Butero, Precision Aero Technology
Clayton Caessens, Independent Member
Darrell Chapman, Calgary (AB) Police Service Collision Reconstruction
Keith Chapman, Williamson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Tony Ciaburro, East Bay (CA) Regional Park District Police
Brandon Clyde, RNSP / Fullerton (CA) Police Department
James Coffindaffer, Washoe County (NV) Sheriff's Office
Richard Colvin, Williamson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Jason Craft, Williamson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Shaun Daniels, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Dirk De Bie, Federal Air Support Unit Belgium
Jeremy Dickman, Beaufort County (SC) Sheriffs Office
Shawn Didde, Raytown (MO) Police Department
Dayna Drouin, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Joe Eder, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Chad Elmore, Harrison County (MS) Sheriff's Department
Mark Elrod, Williamson County (TN)Sheriff's Office
Shane Engelauf, Charlotte County (FL) Sheriff's Department
Dennis Floyd, Woodstock (GA) Police Department
Colin Foster, Calgary (AB) Police Service Collision Reconstruction
Edward Fowler, Pulaski County (MO) Sheriff's Department
Colin Giles, Ontario Provincial Police
William Grisafe, Pasadena (CA) Police Department
Dean Grothem, Minnesota State Patrol Aviation
Steve Guggiana, San Jose (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit
Scott Johnson, Beaufort County (SC) Sheriff's Office
Roland Jones, Independent Member
Jer Kahala, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air Support Unit
John Keener, Beaufort County (SC) Sheriffs Office
Jeff Kelbert, Jacksonville (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Casey Kumar, Gainesville (FL) Police Department
David Lechner, Pall Aerospace
Michael Linden, Boulder County (CO) Sheriff's Office
Justin Long, Williamson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Jeffrey Love, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Daryl Macphrus, Beaufort County (SC) Sheriff's Office
Tim McMahon, Maryland State Police Aviation Command - SYSCOM
Ethan Mueller, Missouri State Highway Patrol
David Olsen, Nassau County (NY) Police Department Aviation Unit
Larry Pitchford, New Buffalo (MI) Police Department
Christopher Posey, Oxford (GA) Police Department Aviation Support Unit
Brandee Ralston, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Casey Rice, Palm Beach (FL) Helicopter
Jon Rice, Customs and Border Protection (FL)
Leland Wayne Rogers, Sonora Systems LLC
Tyler Schiess, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Barry Schuller, Tshwane Metropolitan Police Service (West Cape, South Africa)
Lance Scott, Georgia State Patrol
Arthur Seidenfeld, Innovative Artistic Licensing LLC
Nicco Seqhaolelo, Tshwane Metropolitan Police Service (West Cape, South Africa)
Mark Shand, St. Johns County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Pål Simensen, Norwegian Police Air Support Unit
David Socha, Austin (TX) Police Department Air Support Unit
Kevin Spear, Calgary (AB) Police Service Collision Reconstruction
Robbin Stalma, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee
Brian Stockbridge, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air Support Unit
Jack Stripling, Georgia State Patrol (Albany) Aviation Unit
Kevin Thompson, Georgia State Patrol (Athens) Aviation Unit
Aaron Trudell, Jacksonville (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Mark Vitale, Nassau County (NY) Police Department
James Wannow, Wichita (KS) Police Department Air Section
Harry Weigelt, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Dennis Winners, RNSP / Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Jason Wolf, New York City (NY) Police Department Aviation Unit
James Wright, Wright DER Services