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 EXPO 2017 to Provide Unmatched Educational Agenda

APSA EXPO 2017 is set to roll in Reno, NV, this month—July 24-29. The deadline for advance registration is July 10, but attendees missing the deadline can register onsite. Visit http://alea.org/alea-expo-2017-reno-nv/ to register now.

APSA EXPO 2017, to be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, is an exceptional weeklong conference that sets the standard for excellence in public safety aviation. Avail yourself of the latest in skills, techniques, tactics, regulations, practices, philosophies, methodologies, support programs, systems and factors in conducting safe and effective public safety aviation missions by attending our diverse Conference Courses and Classes. Experience the vast array of public safety aviation products and services by visiting our 150+ booth exposition where exhibitors will showcase their latest technology to unit decision-makers and end-users. Network with your peers at the vendor-sponsored special events and enjoy the "the biggest little city in the world". All of this combines to create an exceptional learning and sharing environment in one central location.

For additional information and/or assistance, please contact the APSA Headquarters at 301-631-2406 or bosborne@PublicSafetyAviation.org or cdavis@PublicSafetyAviation.org.

Charlotte Police Has Near Miss With UAS Above Crowded Ballpark

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has been seeking the drone pilot who nearly caused a crash on June 7 with its police helicopter above BB&T Ballpark, which was crowded at the time for a game. The drone flew illegally within 20 feet of the helicopter.

“Nearly struck a drone over Uptown at 8:50 pm tonight,” said a tweet sent out by CMPD. “Anyone w/ info about drone pilot, please call Crime Stoppers.” Sgt. Kenneth Anderson said the helicopter pilots, who were returning to their hangar after assisting at traffic incidents, had to take evasive maneuvers to get away from the drone.

The helicopter pilots were flying in the dark and at a high speed, about 100 miles per hour. Police said the drone’s owner broke the law and violated a whole list of Federal Aviation Administration rules by flying at night, flying above 400 feet, flying too close to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, flying over a crowded area and not notifying air traffic control officers about the flight.

It is the second time in two years that the helicopter, named Snoopy, has dodged a collision with a drone. Sgt. Anderson said police expect encounters with drones to become more common as drones get more popular.

SOURCE: www.wsoctv.com

Maryland Agency Adds Third MD Aircraft to Fleet

A third MD 520N, featuring the all-new Block 1 glass cockpit, will join Prince George’s County Police Department Aviation Section fleet in Spring 2018. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, the Prince George’s County Police Department currently operates two (2) MD 520N helicopters, in service since 2000.

"As an enthusiastic advocate for police aviation, I am very pleased that our agency is expanding our fleet with MD Helicopters," said Chief Hank Stawinski, Prince George’s County Police Department Chief of Police. "This will allow us to expand our day-to-day capabilities and ensure the future of our aviation program." This expansion of the Prince George’s County Aviation Section is an example of the County’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the more than 900,000 citizens who live, work and travel through their nearly 500 square miles of jurisdiction.

“In airborne law enforcement, you cannot support the citizens of your jurisdiction and the patrol officer on the street if you cannot afford to fly,” said Sergeant Aaron Smith, Chief Pilot, Prince George’s County Police Aviation Section. “Direct operating costs, reliability, simplicity, maneuverability, quiet technology, and most importantly, safety. All are factors we used to choose the MD 520 18 years ago, and we are choosing the right aircraft again today.”

Source: MD Helicopters, Inc.

Oklahoma Police Helicopter Targeted by Laser; Offender Arrested

The Oklahoma City Police Department reported that a 19-year-old was arrested on a complaint of violation of the Laser Safety Act last month after allegedly pointing a laser at its police helicopter, Air 1. While flying, the pilots stated they were being deliberately targeted by a laser pointer from the ground.

"When it hits the canopy or it hits the glass of the helicopter, it's like a sudden burst of light all through there," said Oklahoma City Police Lt. Mike Jackson, explaining that pilot’s eyes are acclimated for night patrolling. "So with a bright light like that, it tends to temporarily blind them, which in a helicopter, it's pretty serious," Jackson said.

The department has had at least four incidents like this in the last year, Jackson said, and it is a growing problem. "So much of a problem that we get reports from the FAA on a weekly basis on laser strikes across the country," Jackson said.

Anyone caught and convicted of intentionally pointing a laser at an aircraft could face jail time of up to a year and $11,000 each time a laser is pointed at an aircraft. In 2012, it became a federal offense to point a laser at an aircraft.

Source: www.okcfox.com

CMPD Pilot Receives Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award

H.P. (Phillip) Hollifield recently received the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, reserved for pilots who exhibit professionalism, skill and aviation expertise for at least 50 years. Hollifield is one of the founding members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police Department’s Aviation Unit and still serves as a part-time unit member today. He is also a certified flight instructor and trained many of the current police aviation unit pilots. Hollifield has also flown as a pilot for many of the NASCAR teams over the years, and currently flies for Team Penske.

The award was presented by Edward Timberlake of the Charlotte Flight Standards District Office at a ceremony that was hosted by the CMPD Aviation Unit at their hangar facility located near the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Family, friends and coworkers gathered at the event to congratulate Hollifield on his momentous accomplishment. The award consists of a certificate and a pin, and consolidates other aviation awards presented by the FAA district offices.

Source: CMPD

Part 107 Remote Pilot Course: APSA’s Upcoming Schedule

APSA's Remote Pilot-In-Command Course includes twenty (20) hours of classroom training for UAS staff that is designed to provide a review of the Federal Aviation Regulations PART 107 Remote Pilot Certification Process. The course is a must-have for agencies to train their personnel on how to operate sUAS and to obtain pilot certification; it will prepare the student to successfully take the FAA Pilot’s Exam for this rating. 

The Remote Pilot-In-Command Course is intended for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, who are interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under FAR PART 107.

The cost is $150 (which includes a one-year membership to APSA).  Course dates and host agencies include:

• August 26-27, 2017, Grand Forks County (ND) Sheriff’s Department
• September 16-17, 2017, Willmar (MN) Police Department
• October 28-29, 2017, Ventura County (CA) Sheriff’s Office
• January 13-14, 2018, Spokane County (WA) Sheriff’s Office  

CHP Helicopter Crew Rescues Fallen Hiker

A California Highway Patrol (CHP) rescue team helped save a South Lake Tahoe hiker who nearly fell to her death in late May. The 27-year-old was hiking near Luther Pass in El Dorado County with her boyfriend and dog when the dog slipped. The hiker reached to save the dog but lost her footing. She slid for roughly 15 feet before free falling off a 30-foot cliff.

CHP pilot Bryan Souza was part of a four-man crew dispatched to rescue the woman. “She was very fortunate that she landed on her backside, which gave her some injuries. But ultimately the way she fell, I think, saved her life,” Souza said.

The CHP helicopter crew was able to pull the injured woman out of bushes at the base of a sheer rock cliff and hoist her to the aircraft. She suffered injuries to her hands, fingers, ankle, knee and left shoulder. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital and treated.

SOURCE: www.kcra.com

Colorado Group Unveils Regional UAS Program

Several Colorado emergency responders unveiled their highly anticipated Larimer County Unmanned Aircraft System Program in late June. The City of Fort Collins Police Department and Poudre Fire Authority, among other area fire and law enforcement agencies, launched the regional UAS program after two years working to obtain FAA certifications, establish protocols and conduct flight training.

Officials said the UAS could begin flying at select scenes anytime after July, pending final protocol approvals by the team's six participating agencies. Each of the program’s five DJI Inspire UAS weighs about 7 pounds and costs about $4,000. Agencies funded their own systems and each has a handful of FAA-certified pilots.

SOURCE: www.coloradoan.com

Sheriff's Helicopter Helps Save Officers After Training Mishap

Five Fresno County Sheriff's Office deputies were rescued in late May with the help of the aviation unit’s helicopter aircrew after falling into a river during a swift-water training exercise. A lieutenant, two sergeants and two deputies went into the water after a raft flipped, and three were quickly rescued. The two that remained in the water held onto a tree until they were pulled to safety about an hour and a half later. During the second rescue, the two deputies were in communication with rescuers on shore. Cal Fire and Fresno County Emergency Medical Services also assisted on the rescue.

SOURCE: www.officer.com

Toledo to Sell Grounded Police Helicopter

The Toledo City Council has approved the sale of the city's police helicopter. Local news outlets report council members voted yes on the sale in late May. The Toledo Police Department bought the Robinson R44 helicopter for just over $500,000 in 2001. City officials say the helicopter is no longer being used and needs an expensive, FAA-required engine overhaul. The price of the overhaul is believed to be in the $250,000-$275,000 range, plus service costs.

SOURCE: www.mcclatchydc.com

Georgia Airborne Unit Quickly Finds Lost Family

The Gwinnett County (GA) Police Department deployed its helicopter unit to save a family of three who got lost in a park in early June. The mother of the family became disoriented in the 1,900-acre park with her 4-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son and called for help. “The woman did not have food, water or the necessary items to care for children for an extended period of time,” said Corporal Deon Washington.

Uniform patrol officers arrived at the park in minutes. After about half an hour, they brought in the aviation unit to begin searching the park. During the search, the woman let dispatchers know via phone when she could hear the helicopter overhead. The family was located and rescued within 10 minutes.

SOURCE: www.gwinnettdailypost.com

Helicopter Rescue of Plane Crash Victim Caught on Video

The Santa Barbara County (CA) Fire Aircrew, working with Ventura County Fire dispatchers and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, rescued a man from the wreckage of a plane crash in mid-June. See video of the rescue here: http://www.ksby.com/story/35649362/video-shows-helicopter-rescue-of-pilot-in-small-plane-crash.

The 31-year-old man reportedly broke his legs when he crashed his small plane in a remote area. Search and rescue crews were set to hike to the man in case cloudy conditions prevented the air rescue. But the Santa Barbara County Fire Aircrew was able to hoist the man from his single engine Piper Cherokee to safety.

The cause of the plane crash is unknown. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

SOURCE: www.ksby.com

APSA Online Meetings: July 2017 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 July, an online meeting for UAS operators will be conducted on Thursday, July 27 from 4:00-5:30 PM (2000 UTC); for Safety Officers on Thursday, July 27 from 4:00-5:30 PM (2000 UTC); and for maintenance technicians on Wednesday, August 16 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC). Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well.

Bird Strike Causes Precautionary Landing for New York Unit

A Westchester County (NY) Police Department helicopter made a precautionary landing in a park in early June after the crew feared it had struck a bird. Once they landed, members of the Aviation Unit checked the helicopter, determined there was no damage or resulting safety issue and took off. Westchester County Police spokesman Kieran O’Leary noted the Yonkers Police Department was notified by the Aviation Unit of the precautionary landing, and the neighboring unit secured the landing zone.

SOURCE: www.harrison.dailyvoice.com

Virginia State Police Participates in Rescue Training

Virginia State Police say dangerous outdoor accidents increase during the summer months, and the department recently completed emergency rescue training to be prepared. See video of the training at www.wcyb.com/news/virginia/virginia-state-police-teams-participate-in-rescue-training/553259392.

Six state police pilots staff the Aviation Unit, based in Abingdon. The teams respond to medical emergencies and search and rescues across the region. "A lot of our terrain is very rugged, steep and very remote around here. So, the quickest way to get someone out of a situation like that is by helicopter," Base Commander Sergeant John Ratliff said. The Aviation Unit has two helicopters equipped with external hoists.

SOURCE: www.wcyb.com

 Two Men Rescued by CHP Helicopters

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Valley Division Air Operations rescued an injured motorcyclist stranded in the woods for almost a day in late June. According to a CHP press release, the 42-year-old went for a dirt bike ride while camping with his family. The family became concerned when he never returned. The next day, the family found him down a 30-foot ravine. The family said they had to drive roughly three miles to get a signal to call for help; the man was eventually rescued by the CHP helicopter and flown to a nearby medical center for treatment.

Several days later, a swimmer was rescued via helicopter by CHP after being swept down a river in Nevada County. The helicopter crew was eventually able to save the 25-year-old using a rescue basket to hoist him from a rock on which he had clung. The man suffered only minor scratches and abrasions.

SOURCE: www.abc10.com

Rochester’s Police Drone Equipped with Project Lifesaver

The Rochester (MN) Police Department has acquired a new unmanned aircraft system to track people who wander off due to medical conditions. The department acquired the drone as part of the Project Lifesaver initiative, which monitors adults and children who become disoriented due to Alzheimer's, autism and other related conditions or disorders.

For Project Lifesaver, clients wear a transmitter that is activated when they wander so police can quickly respond and find them. Rochester Police Department Officer Rey Caban said the unit has seen several cases where they needed aviation support, but a helicopter wasn't available. "Not having availability, I can understand the frustration it can cause, so I'm excited we can actually deploy someone in a short period of time," he said.

The cost of the drone and its related capabilities sits at about $68,000. That includes the drone unit itself, the camera with thermal (infrared), night vision and the PLS antenna and all specific training for four police officers.

SOURCE: www.startribune.com

Another New York Police Department Buys UAS

The Clarkstown (NY) Police Department has purchased two new unmanned aircraft systems at a cost of about $22,000. The UAS are authorized to fly at altitudes of 400 feet and are expected to be used for viewing traffic accidents, searching for suspects and looking for people lost in the woods or during natural disasters. They might also be used in hostage and standoff situations, police said.

The police department showed off the new aircraft during a press conference in early June. The department has FAA approval to operate the UAS via a Certificate of Authorization. It currently has two officers that are both private pilots and FAA-certified drone operators. Additional officers are being trained and will be added to the program as they pass their required exams.

SOURCE: www.clarkstown.dailyvoice.com

Indiana Sheriff’s Office Finalizing UAS Program

The Madison County (IN) Sheriff's Office obtained a $29,000 unmanned aircraft system through a grant earlier this year and demonstrated its capabilities in mid-June. The DJI UAS features both a camera with 30 times optical zoom and as much as 180 times digital zoom, as well as a FLIR camera. The Sheriff's Office is FAA-approved to operate the UAS at heights up to 400 feet, perfect for its needs, according to department officials.

"The drone is just an extension of the deputy," Major Jeff Connor said. "Our officers are trained from the academy regarding the rights guaranteed by the Constitution."

The UAS is now in service, the Sheriff’s Office said, but awaiting insurance and certifications before it is used in the field. Six officers have been trained by an FAA instructor to operate the aircraft. The deputies may train other operators in the future.

SOURCE: www.riverbender.com

APSA’s CEO to Also Serve as HAI Chairman of the Board

Congratulations to Houston Police Officer and APSA's Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach for being elected as the Helicopter Association International’s new Chairman of the Board. Schwarzbach began his 1-year term as chairman on July 1st.  

Source: APSA

Texas Cities Adding UAS at Rapid Pace

The City of Hurst, TX, is the most recent state municipality to add unmanned aircraft systems to its arsenal in its fight against fires and public safety threats. The Hurst Fire Department recently spent $11,000 to buy two UAS, along with cameras and iPads to control them. The Hurst Police Department has two small drones that can be used inside, in situations where there is an active shooter or if a SWAT team wants to assess the area before going in.

The Bedford Police Department late last year conducted a study to determine whether it wanted to add UAS to its search and rescue, lifesaving and law enforcement capabilities. The department purchased a drone, and an officer completed training to fly it. It is now awaiting FAA approval to operate the device. Arlington has used UAS since 2013, and the Fort Worth Police Department also has a drone.

SOURCE: www.star-telegram.com

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following individual members who joined during late June 2017:

Corporate Members:

Conklin & de Decker
Federal Aviation Administration
Precision Fuel Components LLC
Rotor-Tech International
Safe Structure Designs, LLC 

Individual Members:

Joseph Airoso, California Highway Patrol Valley Division
Matt Archuleta, Arvada (CO) Police Department
Tristan Atkins, Washington State Department of Transportation
Gary Ballard, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air Support Unit
Jeff Bauckman, Grand County (CO) Sheriff's Office
Nick Berg, Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Office Helicopter Unit
Gary Burk, Livermore (CO) Fire Protection District
Anthony Cerullo, Suffolk County (NY) Police Department
Chris Clark, Santa Cruz County (CA) Sheriff's Office
David Cook, Contra Costa County (CA) Sheriff's Office
John Culpepper, The Vanguard Group, LLC
Keith Cunningham, NCIS (VA)
Scott Dinwiddie, Seymour (MO) Police Department
Daniel Dumont, Douglas County (CO) Sheriff's Office
David Edney, Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Office Helicopter Unit
Gordon Fenley, St. James Parish (LA) Sheriff's Office
Don Fiebiger, Barnes County (ND) Sheriff's Office
Heath Fournier, Independent Member Shane Francisco, San Francisco (CA) Fire Department
Tim Gideon, Arvada (CO) Police Department
Chris Haas, Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Office Helicopter Unit
Matthew Hazen, York (Ontario) Regional Police
Brad Heard, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department: Aviation Unit
John Heinke, California Highway Patrol Valley Division
David Heino, Maryland State Police Aviation Command
Shawn Hermosillo, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Matthew Hoffman, Pope County (MN) Sheriff's Office
Klaus Hopf, Bavarian (BY) Police Helicopter Squatron
James Hubbard, Vail (CO) Police Department
Tanner Hutt, Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Section
Rodney Hutter, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Police Service-Flight Operations Unit
Julian Ingrosso, Aviation Services Lincoln Ishii, Honolulu (HI) Police Department / Priority 1 Air Rescue
Miguel Jauregui, Vail (CO) Police Department
Darryl Jelinek, FBI Al Judice, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Joel Juenke, Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Section
Melanie Kaknes, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Steven Kishell, Aurora (CO) Public Schools - Department of Safety
Nicholas Kloberdanz, Aurora (CO) Public Schools - Department of Safety
Troy Kochevar, Pueblo County (CO) Sheriff's Office
Todd Kramer, Aerial Enforcement Solutions LLC
Eric Lightkep, Atlanta (GA) Police Department
Thomas Linardo, Winslow Township (NJ) Police Department
Josh Lindsley, Colorado State Patrol
Justin Lundstedt, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
John Lynkiewicz, Colorado State Patrol
Joshua Magnuson, Barnes County (ND) Sheriff's Office
Luis Martinez, Maricopa (AZ) Police Department
John Matula, United States Park Police (WDC)
Jeffrey McCarley, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Phillip McDowell, Douglas County (CO) Sheriff's Office
Brian McGinnis, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Peter Metzler, Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Justin Miller, Wilmington (DE) Police Department SABLE
Kenneth Moore, California Highway Patrol Valley Division
Correll Moore, Aurora (CO) Public Schools - Department of Safety
Steve Morris, Las Vegas (NV) Metropolitan Police Department
Chris Morrow, Sacramento County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Chad Nichols, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Brian Notary, Adams County (CO) Fire Department
Andy Olesen, Halton (ON) Regional Police Service
Richard Pacheco, Texas Department of Public Safety
Nicholas Pearson, Albuquerque (NM) Police Department Air Support Unit
Corbiere Pecora, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Douglas Peoble, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Michael Plaia, Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Operations
Frank Prazinko, L3 Technologies
Roel Rademaker, Dutch (NH) Police Aviation Support
Denny Reed, Trikeschool LLC / Wild Sky LLC
Ricky Reno, Spectrum Aeromed
Matt Richardson, Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Brandee Robinson, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Philip Rochon, Valparaiso (IN) Police Department Marty
Rolph, Butte County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Charlie Russo, Sierra Nevada Corporation
Steven Ryan, Santa Cruz County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Paul Sada, Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Fabian Salazar, Independent Member
Kent Sapp, Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Office Helicopter Unit
Brad Schmidt, DFPC Center of Excellence
Lloyd Schott, Livermore (CO) Fire Protection District
Heather Sczech, Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Randy Semic, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Barbara Shaffer, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Myles Shows, Mesa County (CO) Sheriff's Office
Michael Smith, Columbus (OH) Police Department Helicopter Section
David Snelling, Arvada (CO) Police Department
Francis Song, Alamosa County (CO) Emergency Management
Jason Sorenson, Pope County (MN) Sheriff's Office
Gary Steele, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Charles Stefanowicz, Amtrak Police Department
Christopher Steiner, Arvada (CO) Police Department
Michael Swafford, US Customs & Border Protection Air Patrol
Joseph Talley, Tac Consulting
Anthony Tannenbaum, Victoria (AB) Police Department
William Taylor, Albuquerque (NM) Police Department Air Support Unit
Kyle Tedford, Placer County (CA) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit
Mike Temple, Winnipeg (MB) Police Service Flight Operations Unit
Robert Valvo, Pittsburgh (PA) Bureau of Police
Bill Walton, Placer County (CA) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit
Mike Watson, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Cory Weick, York (ON) Regional Police
Edward Wood, San Mateo County (CA) Sheriff Department 

Edmonton Police Service to Host APSA Safety Seminar

APSA Safety Seminars are offered free of charge for all active APSA members (a fee applies for non-members) and cover a wide range of topics (such as loss of control, SMS applications, fatigue management and terrain airflow in urban environments, etc.) through informative training classes, as well as roundtable discussions.

The Edmonton Police Service has generously agreed to host a Safety Seminar, September 5-7, at the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree.  Make your discounted room reservation by calling 780-484-2121 (use code ALE) or reserving online at http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Airborne%20Law%20Enforcement%20Conference%5EYEGMC%60APSAPSA%60149.00%60CAD%60false%603%609/4/17%609/8/17%608/22/17&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes.

See the latest aviation products and technology displayed in our mini-tradeshow, as well as network with peers, all while enjoying the exciting city of Edmonton, AB this September!

APSA’s Public Safety Drone EXPO 2017 to Debut in New Orleans

The first ever Public Safety Drone EXPO 2017, to be held Oct. 16-19 in New Orleans, LA, will bring together public safety industry leaders, educators, decision makers and end-users to share the latest in UAS technology, applications and education. The inaugural event, produced by the Airborne Public Safety Association, will take place at the New Orleans DoubleTree Hotel.

Public Safety Drone EXPO 2017 is intended to provide a platform to showcase the industry’s latest technology for law enforcement, fire and search and rescue. The EXPO will offer a combination of interactive public safety-specific UAS courses, classes and general sessions. Attendees will learn from top subject matter experts, and the expo hall will feature industry service providers, manufacturers, advocates and thought leaders who bring together cutting-edge technology and applications.

Specific, targeted conference class tracks will focus on Law Enforcement, Fire, Search & Rescue, Special Presentations and Features. In-depth conference courses will include Public Safety UAS Operations, Remote Pilot Training and UAS Safety Management Systems. Early speaker commitments include John Meehan, FAA Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration Team, and Hoot Gibson, FAA Senior Advisor on UAS integration. Attendees, exhibitors and media can visit www.alea.org/events/public-safety-drone-expo-2017-new-orleans-la for more information. Details on courses and classes will be available as the event nears.