APSA E-Newsletter : 2017 January

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.

Ohio State Highway Patrol to Host UAS Seminar Next Week

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will host a free seminar from Jan. 9 to 12 for any public safety agency in Ohio considering using unmanned aircraft systems. The four-day UAS seminar, to be held in the Leadership Hall of the OSHP Training Academy, will provide all the information needed for any agency to be able to start up a UAS operation.

The seminar is being sponsored by APSA and conducted by APSA UAS Fellow Alan Frazier, who is also an UAS expert and head of the Grand Forks County (ND) Sheriff’s Department’s Northeast Region UAS Unit. The program will offer an overview of UAS operations and how they pertain to public safety, as well as offering information for potential operators. The goal of the course is to give operators all the information needed to not only pass the FAA Part 107 written exam, but to effectively be able to function as a UAS operator.

RSVP now to Lt. Justin Cromer at (614) 466-4468 or JWCromer@dps.ohio.gov to take advantage of this educational opportunity.

SOURCE: Ohio State Highway Patrol

Australian Agency Purchases Second Bell Aircraft

New South Wales Police has ordered a second Bell 412EPI to be delivered in 2017 and will be used for search and rescue, transport and tactical missions. The agency is the primary law enforcement agency of the state of New South Wales, Australia, and is one of the oldest and largest law enforcement agencies in the world. The agency received its first Bell 412EPI in 2014, which was the first Bell 412EPI for operation in Australia.

The Bell 412EPI improves the Bell 412 platform with the Bell BasiX Pro fully integrated glass flight deck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and safety. The Bell BasiX Pro system is specifically designed to meet the requirements of twin-engine helicopters and is optimized for IFR, Category A and JAR OPS3 compliant operations. The avionics suite also includes high-resolution digital maps, electronic charts and approach plates, ADS-B transponder and optional HTAWS and XM satellite links. The Bell 412EPI also incorporates the power of Pratt and Whitney’s PT6T-9 Twin Pac engines, providing 15 percent more horsepower than the standard Bell 412.

SOURCE: Bell

Indonesian Police Plane Crashes; 15 Killed

A twin-engine aircraft operated by Indonesian police crashed with 15 people onboard during search and rescue operations in early December. Fishermen found wreckage of the Polish-made M-28 Skytruck, but no survivors were present. The crash is the latest of several involving aircraft used by Indonesia's armed forces and police.

In response to media queries, Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the aircraft had lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared from radar while heading to Batam from Pangkal Pinang in the Bangka-Belitung Islands. Among the passengers were police officers and aircraft maintenance crew.

SOURCE: www.straitstimes.com

German Police Order Three Airbus Aircraft

On December 7, the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of three H215 multi-role rotorcraft via the purchasing administration of the German Federal Ministry of Interior. The aircraft will be tasked with a number of challenging roles, including police missions. The helicopters are scheduled for delivery in early 2019.

The Bundespolizei currently operates 19 helicopters of the Super Puma family. “We are very proud of our long track record of successful cooperation with the Bundespolizei,” said Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Germany. “The H215 is exactly the right solution to meet the demanding mission requirements of national police forces.”

The aircraft is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment that includes a glass cockpit and the new 4-axis autopilot, which provides flight envelope protection, unrivalled precision, and stability in even the harshest operating conditions.

SOURCE: Airbus

National Institute of Justice Releases UAS Report

The Office of Justice Programs’ National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recently released the Considerations and Recommendations for Implementing an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program, which covers a number of emerging issues and concerns about the use of unmanned aircraft systems by state, local and tribal law enforcement. The report is based on an August 2016 convening of public safety stakeholders and aviation experts. The goal of the conference was to produce a blueprint for how law enforcement agencies can use unmanned aircraft systems most effectively, fairly and transparently.

The NIJ report highlights a number of actions agencies can take internally and with the community as they implement a policy on unmanned aircraft systems. According to Mike O’Shea, a senior law enforcement program manager with NIJ, community acceptance is critical. “The transparency of what you’re doing as an agency can make a difference between whether or not the community accepts what you’re doing or doesn’t accept [it],” he said. The full 102-page report is available on the NIJ website or download here https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/250283.pdf.

SOURCE: www.uasvision.com

Wichita to Ground Police Helicopter

The Wichita (KS) Police Department, which launched a helicopter aviation program nearly 50 years ago, has eliminated funding for the air unit in 2017. “Tough decisions have to be made,” said Captain Dan East, who oversees the Air Unit, which consists of a helicopter, pilot and mechanic. East said it takes $300,000 to $350,000 a year to maintain the current level of staffing and operation for the air unit.

Eliminating the unit was one way police officials intend to help pay for body cameras, a commitment made in the wake of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, in 2014. According to the city’s budget, the WPD will have to explore "private funding to support its Airport Patrol operations," a part of the department that has existed since 1970. Options for private funding include looking for grant opportunities and seeking donations to the Wichita Police Foundation, the department's public charity.

SOURCE: www.kansas.com

Did you know that APSA has a UAS Fellow that is available for training and technical assistance at no cost to APSA members? APSA entered into a Fellowship Agreement with Al Frazier, Associate Professor at the University of North Dakota (UND) John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Science. Professor Frazier, a nationally recognized sUAS subject matter expert who is currently on sabbatical from UND, is also a Grand Forks County (ND) Deputy Sheriff and supervises the Northeast Region Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit. He is available to APSA members to provide all sorts of technical assistance from guidance on starting a UAS operation to assistance with manual development. He is also available to perform onsite training on topics such as an overview of UAS operations, law enforcement response to rogue drones, and preparation for taking the FAA Part 107 UAS operators written test. While Al’s time for onsite training is sponsored by APSA, the requesting agency is responsible for his travel related expenses. This fellowship runs through May 12, 2017 and Al’s schedule is filling up quickly, so don’t delay in contacting him at afrazier@aero.und.edu.

Kansas City Pilot Recognized for Safe Emergency Landing

A Kansas City (KS) Police Department helicopter pilot who made an emergency landing four months ago has been recognized for his quick actions. The police pilot, Kevin Colmar, made an emergency landing due to an engine problem. "By the time you recognize that there's a problem, in this case it was the rotor RPMs were rapidly decreasing, there’s not much time,” Colmar said. He quickly realized what maneuver he needed to do in order to land the helicopter safely and was able to land within 20 seconds and no one was hurt in the incident.

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners honored Colmar, among others, with a distinguished service medal for going above and beyond in the line of duty.

SOURCE: www.fox4kc.com

Michigan Man Faces Five Years for Laser Incident

Pointing a laser pen at a Michigan State Police helicopter could net a 33-year-old man up to five years in prison. The man is also likely to face time in a state prison if he is convicted of killing a motorcyclist with a stolen truck.

"When you're using a laser pointer as it's intended to be used, it's really a localized, small beam," Michigan State Police Sgt. Jim Lang previously told reporters, "When you point it in the sky or down the road, it grows in diameter. By the time it gets to where they're flying at, it could illuminate the entire face of the pilot or copilot; it's not that localized beam anymore. It grows; the further out it gets, the larger around it gets. It can cause flash blindness or leave a residual image in the eye."

The man pleaded guilty to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

SOURCE: www.mlive.com

Unmanned Safety Institute, APSA to Provide Training

The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), a subsidiary of ARGUS International, Inc., has partnered with the Airborne Public Safety Association to provide UAS training for APSA members at a special rate. USI’s portfolio of eLearning programs will be offered at a 10 percent discount for all APSA members. These programs include the Small UAS Safety Ground School Course, the Small UAS Safety Awareness Course and new products as are they are developed.

The Small UAS Safety Ground School is the industry’s leading training course for individuals seeking to operate UAS as professional remote pilots. The program offers approximately 24-hours of self-paced content online and prepares the student to pass the FAA Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) exam to obtain their Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The program meets Part 107 requirements and exceeds FAA regulatory minimums with advanced flight safety training.  The Small UAS Safety Ground School is endorsed by many aviation insurance providers and is accepted by the FAA for WINGS credit.

The Small UAS Safety Awareness Course is composed of approximately 4-hours of self-paced content online and provides advanced flight safety training that is exclusively devoted to UAS operational safety. The Small UAS Safety Awareness Course is ideal for individuals who hold a Part 61 Airmen Certificate, or individuals who already possess a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

“The Airborne Public Safety Association is the world’s premier organization supporting aviation operations in public safety,” said Aaron Greenwald, USI president. “USI is honored to be partnered with APSA to offer our industry-leading flight safety training products to its members who intend to operate UAS for mission-critical operations.”

SOURCE: Unmanned Safety Institute

San Diego County Launches UAS Program

Following a officer-involved shooting in early December, the San Diego County (CA) Sheriff’s Department used aerial footage from an unmanned aircraft system to document the scene and capture overhead images to be used as evidence. It was one of the department’s first successful uses of the aircraft since launching its unmanned program late last year.

The department, which covers 4,200 square miles of county land, began implementing the UAS program in October after receiving FAA permission. Although the department did not seek approval from city councils or residents regarding the UAS, officials said they worked with several community advisory groups consisting of community members and civic leaders.

SOURCE: www.ranchosantafereview.com

New York State Police Helicopter Makes Mountain Rescue

When forest rangers learned of two lost hikers near the top of Algonquin Peak in the Adirondack Mountains, a police helicopter was called in to make a time-critical rescue. Forest Ranger Scott van Laer and a volunteer heard the hikers yelling from the makeshift snowbank shelter where they had been huddled for several days, while a New York State Police helicopter, which had been grounded for a day due to bad weather, was approaching.

The ranger and volunteer hiked to the couple while the helicopter pilot made a dozen passes before catching a break in the dense clouds and wind that allowed him to hover long enough to hoist the two hikers into the aircraft. The couple was taken to a hospital and later released.

SOURCE: www.timesunion.com

Japan's National Police Agency Orders Two Airbus H135 Helicopters

The National Police Agency of Japan has placed an order for two H135 light-twin helicopters, making it the first in Japan to operate the Helionix-equipped helicopters when these are delivered in 2019. The H135 will be deployed by the Wakayama Prefectural Police and the Kumamoto Prefectural Police for law enforcement missions.

At the same time, the AS365 N3+ and H155 ordered in 2015 were delivered to the National Police Agency in December, and will be deployed by the Fukuoka Prefectural Police and the Kagawa Prefectural Police, respectively.

“We are extremely honored by the National Police Agency’s continued vote of confidence, becoming the launch customer of the Helionix-equipped H135 in Japan. It is also a great pleasure to deliver the two Dauphin family aircraft to our long-standing customer,” said Olivier Tillier, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Japan. “We are certain that the high-performance H135 is the perfect choice for the agency, with the fleet contributing greatly to a wide range of law enforcement missions. We will continue to deliver the fullest support to meet our customer’s requirements.”

SOURCE: Airbus

Community Policing and UAS: Guidelines to Enhance Community Trust

Ensuring the safety of the public is a core mission for all professional law enforcement agencies. In pursuit of this mission, law enforcement leverage many different types of tools, including new and emerging technologies. Many law enforcement agencies are considering the use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) as a tool for lost person searches, officer safety enhancement, accident scene reconstruction, and other uses.

“UAS technologies provide law enforcement agencies with unique capabilities for rapid, safe, economical and effective responses to a wide variety of public safety tactical challenges. Harnessing these capabilities requires not only the skills to operate the technology, but the input and understanding of the community and a pledge to operate the technology in a transparent manner. This is what community policing is all about,” said Jim Bueermann, President of the Police Foundation and former Chief of Police in Redlands, CA.

While the sUAS has significant potential to improve operational efficiency as well as officer and community safety, there are understandable and legitimate concerns about privacy risks. To help law enforcement agencies address these concerns, the Police Foundation recently released new recommendations for local law enforcement agencies considering the use of UAS for public safety purposes. Community Policing & Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Guidelines to Enhance Community Trust is a guidebook that provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of UAS use in public safety, including operational, training, and legal and regulatory compliance considerations.

To view and download the full report, click here https://www.policefoundation.org/publication/community-policing-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-guidelines-to-enhance-community-trust/.

Source: Police Foundation

UAS Could Replace Tuscon Police Helicopters

The Tucson Police Department could replace its helicopters with unmanned aircraft in the future, according to TPD Chief Chris Magnus. “Yes, we are looking at drones,” he said, saying keeping the police department's two helicopters flying is extremely expensive. A third helicopter owned by the department has been grounded and is being used for parts. “We have an air support unit that is incredibly costly,” he said. “Why wouldn't it make sense to look at drones as a possible option? From a cost standpoint, [they are] far less costly potentially than some of the costs over the long-term.”

SOUCE: www.officer.com 

 Vienna Teen Blinds Police Pilot With Laser

A police helicopter pilot was blinded during a manhunt in mid-December after a 15-year-old shone a laser beam into his eyes. The Vienna, Italy police pilot was blinded while hunting for two burglars suspected of robbing the house of former chancellor Franz Vranitzky in Döbling, a district in the city of Vienna.

“The crew were blinded by a green light beam, and the helicopter had to turn away,” an officer said. “The control of the helicopter was only maintained by the use of the autopilot.” The pilot was able to locate the laser operator and directed ground troops to his house, where he was given a warning for threatening aviation security. Officers say they have seen an increasing number of laser attacks on a range of services including train drivers and commuters in cars.

SOURCE: www.thelocal.at

MCSO Assists in Nabbing Suspected Bank Robber

The Marion County (FL) Sheriff's Office's Aviation Unit assisted in tracking a man suspected in a Dec. 22, 2016, bank robbery. The man, who claimed to have a weapon when he walked into a Bank of America and calmly requested an armload of cash, was shot by police during his escape following the robbery.  The Marion County Sheriff's Office's Aviation Unit was joined by the Ocala Police Department, a K-9 unit and agents from the FBI in their search. He was tracked to his residence. During his arrest, he complained about his back and was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center for treatment.

SOURCE: www.dailycommercial.com

APSA Online Meetings: January Schedule

Meetings are conducted through an online conference call you can join using your computer, device or phone. Online meetings are open to any APSA member. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@PublicSafetyAviation.org.

For January 2017, an online meeting for Safety Officers will be conducted Tuesday, Jan 17 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST (1800 UTC); for UAS operators on Wednesday, Jan 25 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST (1800 UTC); and for maintenance technicians on Tuesday, Jan 31 from 1:00-2:00 PM EST (1800 UTC). Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well.  

Canadian Pleads Guilty to Pointing Laser at Police

A Canadian man who pointed a laser device at the York Regional Police helicopter in 2016 was fined $3,000 after he pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2016. The 20-year-old admitted to unlawfully projecting a bright light source into navigable airspace, which violates Canadian Aviation Regulations.

While police were searching for a suspect from the air on Aug. 16, 2016, the pilot and tactical flight officer were struck by an unrelated bright light. An officer used the helicopter’s camera to find three men standing next to a vehicle, one of the men pointing a handgun with a laser on it at the aircraft. Officers from the K9 and emergency response units were called to the suspect's location, and as they approached, they say the suspect fled, hopping a fence, throwing the gun and attempting to hide in the woods. The K9 unit arrested him.

SOURCE: www.yorkregion.com

Arizona DPS Makes Daring Rescue

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) in late December released stunning video of its Ranger helicopter crew coming to the rescue of a pair of hikers who found themselves “cliffed out”. The hikers were stuck on the face of a bluff, unable to climb or descend, in the afternoon of Dec. 11, 2016. In the two-part rescue operation, the hikers had to be relocated to a less steep area before the Ranger team could pick them up.

“Four Pinal County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue volunteers with special equipment were flown by the DPS Ranger helicopter and inserted into the canyon near the location where the hikers were stranded,” according to a DPS news release. The volunteers helped the hikers to an area where they could board the helicopter while the pilot delicately balanced his aircraft with one skid on a rock.

SOURCE: www.azfamily.com

Smartphone App Could Protect Pilots From Laser Attacks

Defense scientists have developed a smartphone app that could be used to prevent dazzling mid-air laser attacks. The app, developed by the U.K.’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, can be used in the cockpit to log, analyze and share data about laser incidents. The laboratory has signed a deal to commercially develop and market the Laser Event Recorder app, likely to be available by the middle of this year.

Aircrew will be able to mount a smartphone in a hands-free cradle in the cockpit, and the app will use the phone’s camera and GPS to log details of the attack. Information could then be passed to police and shared with other planes to warn them of the hazard.

SOURCE: www.telegraph.co.uk

California Man Arrested for Laser Attack

A California man was arrested after a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter looking for a carjacker was hit with a laser on Dec. 16, 2016. The county’s Copter Three was flying over western Ventura County when it was hit with the laser multiple times during a 20-minute period. The helicopter pilot notified Oxnard Police, which arrested the man on a felony count of discharging a laser at an aircraft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

SOURCE: www.kclu.org

Long-Time APSA Member Starts Retirement

After 32 years of service, Kevin Poston of the Orange County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit will start a well-earned retirement this month. Kevin flew over 6,000 hours during his 23 years with the Aviation Unit, protecting the Orlando community and supporting the numerous agencies that depend on OCSO for aviation support. He has been a regular face at APSA events since joining in 1991. Kevin also served as the Southeast Region Assistant Director for nine years and was the 2003 APSA Recruiter of the Year.

In his many decades of service, Kevin has remained a dedicated supporter of public safety aviation as both a pilot and mentor. He was always someone that any law enforcement aviator could count on for help, anytime, with his legendary calm, knowledgeable and professional manner. The central Florida public safety aviation community will truly miss him, and wishes him blue skies and tailwinds.   

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following individual members who joined during December 2016:

Corporate Members:

Airborne Response
Air Charter Safety Foundation
JetEezy, Inc. 

Individual Members:

Rayburn Bates, Jackson County (MS) Sheriff's Department
Mike Beaton, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section
Jeffery Berkenkamp, Long Beach (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit
Benjamin Brown, Davidson County (TN) Police Department
David Bushnell, Citrus County (FL) Sheriff's Department
Richard Byrod, California Highway Patrol
Kyle Carmichael, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section
Glen Courneyea, Durham (ON) Regional Police Air Support Unit
Jamie Derivan, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section
Robert Dunbar, Lincoln County (NM) Sheriff's Department
David Geer, Long Beach (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit
Percy Griffin, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Jon Hagedorn, Louisville (KY) Metro Police Department Air Patrol Unit
Brian Handy, New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police
Noah Johnson, Tempe (AZ) Police Department
Joe Johnston, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section
Chip Jones, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section
Jay King, Montgomery (AL) Police Department
Douglas McFall, Jerome County (ID) Sheriff's Office
Peter McLain, New York State Police Aviation Unit
Rob Minnihan, Nomadix
Joseph Monroe, University of Kentucky Police
Kyle Nugent, Hernando County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Raul Perez, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Ralph Pineda, Helicopter Flight Services, Inc.
Jeremy Rogers, Santa Barbara County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aviation Bureau
Glen Rowling, Trakka Systems
Jason Sattich, Louisville (KY) Metro Police Department Air Patrol Unit
Rob Sheehan, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section
Darryl Viers, Louisville (KY) Metro Police Department Air Patrol Unit
Randy Wilson, Tempe (AZ) Police Department
Gavin Woelfel, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Steve Wolfe, Mesa (AZ) Police Department Aviation Section

APSA Safety Seminar Coming to Southeast Region 

Start your year’s public safety aviation education with APSA in St. Augustine, FL. The 2017 Southeast Region Safety Seminar will be held Feb 7-9, 2017 at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort and hosted by the St. John’s Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit. Discounted hotel rates are available until January 20 by using code LEELEA. Seminar registration is open and is included in your APSA individual membership. Sign up at http://alea.org/2017-southeast-region-safety-seminar-st-augustine-fl.

APSA’s primary mission is to provide training to the world’s airborne public safety professionals. Sessions in St. Augustine include Surviving an IIMC Incident, Response to Incidents Involving UAS, Liability Considerations of Airborne Use of Force, Safety Metrics, Sleep Deprivation and Crew Rest and much more. For those desiring to attend Water Survival Training, please register through Survival Systems USA at 860-405-0002 ext. 25 before January 17.