APSA E-Newsletter : 2015-December

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APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

California Man Ordered to Give Up Drone; Perform Community Service

A 57-year-old man pled no contest to obstructing a police officer on Aug. 27 when he flew his drone near an Los Angeles Police Department helicopter that was hovering over a section of east Hollywood where authorities were looking for a man wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. Last month, the man was ordered to turn over his $6,000 drone system, perform 30 days of community labor and promise not to own or fly a drone or any other unmanned remote aircraft during his three years of probation, the Los Angeles city attorney’s office announced.

"Interfering with a police investigation through the careless operation of a drone places our officers and the public at serious risk,” City Atty. Mike Feuer said in a statement. “This conviction sends a strong message that we will hold those who recklessly operate these devices accountable for their actions.”

As civilian drone use has become more prevalent, especially in overcrowded public places and areas inaccessible by foot such as wildfire zones and inside police perimeters, state and local lawmakers have sought ways to regulate their use. In September, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill that would have prohibited drone flights up to 350 feet above private property without the property owner’s consent. In vetoing the bill, Brown said the bill was well-intentioned but “could expose the occasional hobbyist and the FAA-approved commercial user alike to burdensome litigation and new causes of action.”

The L.A. City Council, meanwhile, recently approved an ordinance criminalizing a violation of many of the FAA’s guidelines for drone flights. Drone flights over wildfire areas are already prohibited because of temporary flight restrictions issued by state and federal fire agencies, but recent incidents have reignited the effort to enforce them.

CHP Rescues Survivors after Vehicle Plunges from Cliff

A California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter assisted in the rescue of two individuals trapped in a partially submerged vehicle on Nov. 13. The car had plunged from a cliff into waves below following a collision. Officers with CHP’s Marin Area Office were first dispatched to the collision. Responding officers were advised the vehicle had traveled off the cliff and was submerged and that both occupants were seriously injured and at risk of being fully submerged as the tide came in.

A CHP helicopter was requested to search the area, and emergency crews from CHP, Marin County Sheriff’s Office and Marin County Fire all responded to the area and began the search. CHP helicopter H-32 arrived overhead of the suspected location and began searching for the vehicle along the shoreline using night vision goggles and a spotlight. Flight Officer/Paramedic Shaun Bouyea first spotted the vehicle at the base of the cliff, and CHP Pilot/Officer Chris Omalza determined the crew would have to land the helicopter as near as possible to the vehicle and hike to the occupants.

Once on the ground, Bouyea and Omalza trecked to the vehicle, began rendering medical treatment and were able to coordinate emergency responses from paramedics and fire crews. While battling the rising tide and waves crashing against the vehicle, crews extricated one male and one female victim. The male driver was loaded into the helicopter, and the female passenger was loaded into a REACH Air Ambulance. Both parties were flown to a Bay Area trauma center with major injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates drowsy driving may have contributed to the collision.

SOURCE: California Highway Patrol

APSA Presents at Brazilian Public Safety Aviation Conference

APSA representatives recently presented at the 1^st Public Safety Aviation International Conference, promoted by the National Civil Aviation Agency-Brazil and held at Centro de Eventos da Associação Médica de Brasília on Nov. 11 and 12. The goals of the conference were to present public aviation best practices, explore successful training models, discuss government regulatory environments and share operational safety and maintenance tips. The conference offered 16 hours of classes and seminars. In addition to APSA, speakers at the event included representatives of Airbus Helicopters, Israel Aircraft Industries-IA and ADAC Hems Academy (Germany). Pictured above are APSA representatives Training Program Manager Don Roby, CEO/Executive Director Dan Schwarzbach and Safety Program Manager Bryan Smith.

SOURCE: National Civil Aviation Agency-Brazil

FAA Drone Task Force Recommends Pilot Registration

The Federal Aviation Administration Unmanned Aircraft Systems Task Force released its final recommendations in late November, saying individual UAS should not have to be registered with the administration, but that pilots should. The U.S. Department of Transportation assembled the task force in October to develop a process for registering UAS, with the goal of reinforcing the need for pilots—including consumers and hobbyists—to operate their aircraft safely.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx had said registration would allow operators to learn the rules before they fly and would help DOT enforce the rules. On Nov. 21, the FAA task force made its registration recommendations. The registration requirement, if accepted, will apply to any UAS less than 55 pounds and heavier than half a pound, and owners must be at least 13 years old. A parent or guardian can register for anyone younger than 13 years old.

SOURCE: www.cnet.com

Dubai Police to Add AW169, Congratulated for 20 Years of Ops

The Dubai Police will soon receive a new AW169 light intermediate helicopter, which is expected to further expand its mission capabilities for transport, law enforcement and medical evacuation applications. Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland held a ceremony at the Dubai Airshow in early November to congratulate the Dubai Police on achieving 20 years of successful operations and over 16,000 flight hours with its fleet of AW109 light twin-engine helicopters.

A leading helicopter operator in Dubai, the police department performs law enforcement and homeland security missions, often in demanding conditions. The new AW169 will bring to its fleet a versatile twin-engine light intermediate category helicopter, certified in accordance with EASA and FAA regulations. The AW169 can accommodate up to 10 passengers or up to two litters plus medical attendants and is fitted with a range of customized equipment. The model incorporates several new technology features in its rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems.

SOURCE: AgustaWestland

Nominations Open Until Dec. 15 for APSA Elected Offices

The nomination period for APSA elected offices to serve for the term of July 2016 through July 2018 is open now through Dec. 15. The following offices are open for nomination: Vice President, Secretary, Midwest Region Director, Northeast Region Director and Western Region Director.

Only Individual Members who are employed or appointed as peace officers by a governmental law enforcement agency under the laws of any state or nation, whose duties and responsibilities include the assignment as air crew in or supervision and management of the agency's aviation and/or alternative aircraft operations unit, section, division or department may hold office. Region Directors shall be elected by members residing in their region, and the Director must reside in the region he or she is elected to represent.

Nominations must be submitted by regular mail, facsimile or e-mail and addressed to the APSA Secretary. Please ensure nominations indicate the name of the nominee, the position for which the person is being nominated and the person making the nomination. Both the person being nominated and the person making the nomination must be current members in good standing with APSA.

Submissions must be received or postmarked on or before Dec. 15. The ballots will be distributed to members by mail on or about May 1, 2016, counted during APSA EXPO 2016 in Savannah, GA, and the results will be announced at the General Membership Meeting conducted during the conference.

Send your nominations to: Dan Cunningham, Secretary, Airborne Public Safety Association, 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701, or via email dcunningham@PublicSafetyAviation.org, or fax to (301) 631-2466.

Las Vegas Buys New MD 530F

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Aviation Unit recently took delivery of an upgraded MD 530F helicopter. The unit’s fiscal affairs committee approved the new aircraft purchase on April 27. The addition of the aircraft is expected to increase operational capabilities, enabling greater mission versatility and performance.

“The rotorcraft component of our air unit has been a real game changer…and not just for us and the communities we serve,” Lieutenant Jack Clements said. “It is an absolute force multiplier for law enforcement agencies around the globe. I have no doubt this new MD 530F will allow us to continue providing the critical support necessary to achieve our vision of being the safest community in America.”

Configured to mirror the capabilities of the department’s existing MD 530F fleet, the new helicopter features a 650shp Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine, extended tail boom and longer main rotor blades, extended heavy-duty landing gear, and mission equipment like a LoJack police tracking system, Spectrolab SX-16 Nightsun searchlight and Stark POP300 EO/IR Sensor. The cockpit configuration features a complete Garmin suite—the Garmin 500H EFIS flight display, GTS800 traffic avoidance system and GTN650H touchscreen GPS/navigation and communications panel. The new aircraft also features an updated black and white paint scheme. Over time, this more traditional look will be implemented throughout the fleet.

SOURCE: www.verticalmag.com

LAPD Selects FlightSafety for Simulator Training

FlightSafety has been selected by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Air Support Unit to provide training for the Airbus AS350 B3. The training will include use of the first Level D qualified simulator for the AS350 B3 and take place at FlightSafety’s new Learning Center in Denver, Colorado, once it opens in 2017.

“We are pleased to be the first law enforcement agency to sign with FlightSafety for the upcoming Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 training program that will offer a Level D simulator,” said Officer Kevin Gallagher, Chief Pilot of LAPD’s Air Support Unit. “We appreciate and value the quality and effectiveness of FlightSafety’s King Air 200 and Bell 412 programs, and look forward to training at the new Learning Center in Denver.”

The new Learning Center will offer simulators for the single-engine Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3, Airbus Helicopters H130, and Bell 407GXP helicopters. The new Level D qualified FlightSafety FS1000 simulators will
be equipped with the industry-leading VITAL 1100 visual system, CrewView glass mirror display, electric motion control and cueing, and advanced instructor operating station.

SOURCE: FlightSafety

Milestone Contract for France's Aviation Fleet

The SIMMAD (Structure intégrée du maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels aéronautiques du ministère de la Défense, responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of French state-owned aircraft) has awarded Airbus Helicopters with a milestone contract for a global service solution covering the entire fleet of 50 EC145s operated by the French Gendarmerie Nationale and Sécurité Civile.

Airbus Helicopters will provide for the next 5 years a global service solution with a Full-by-the-Hour (FBH) support for nose-to-tail coverage of the helicopter parts (except for the engines) thanks to high-performing logistics services with 24/7 delivery for aircraft on ground (AOG) situations, and comprehensive technical support. The contract also includes the possibility to perform aircraft maintenance and training. Ineo Support Global will also contribute to this contract as a sub-contractor by providing competitive repair solutions.

“We are committed to providing the French Gendarmerie Nationale and the Sécurité Civile with the highest quality of services, enabling them to perform their critical search and rescue, medical evacuation and law enforcement missions to support the French population when they most need it” stated Dominique Maudet, Executive Vice President Global Business and Services. “This contract underlines our commitment to support Airbus Helicopters’ largest customer, the French government, which operates around 600 Airbus Helicopters aircraft.”

Fifteen EC145s are used by the Gendarmerie Nationale and 35 by the Sécurité Civile. The aircraft are on call 24/7 throughout France and its overseas departments (Corsica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane and Réunion). These helicopters are used to perform public service missions (search and rescue) as well as police missions.

SOURCE: Airbus Helicopters

Three U.K. Countries Testing Capabilities

Police organizations in the U.K.’s Dorset, Devon and Cornwall counties expect to use unmanned aircraft systems soon to aid in missing person searches and crime scene photography, among other missions. A six-month trial of two UAS has begun in each of the three counties.

The UAS being trialed are equipped with high-definition cameras, but department officials stressed they are not intended to be a replacement for the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter service. "Drones offer many benefits that complement the NPAS helicopter,” said Inspector Andy Hamilton, who’s leading the trials. “This technology offers a potentially highly cost effective approach to missing person searches, crime scene photography and responding to major road traffic collisions."

SOURCE: www.bbc.com

Downlink Capabilities Added in Two New York Agencies

Police officers in Nassau and Suffolk counties (NY) now have the ability to view live video of fleeing suspects and crime scenes captured by police helicopters while sitting at their desks, thanks to newly installed downlink technology. The technology is expected to improve the forces’ ability to respond to emergencies by giving officers on the ground a bird's-eye view of everything from a sinking vessel to a bank robber on the run, officials said.

The new technology relies on cameras with high-resolution zoom and the ability to live-stream the footage to phones and other electronic devices. Supervisors watching the video in realtime can then direct officers and other resources to more effectively respond, officials said. Nassau was among the first in the region to begin using the automatic streaming component; Suffolk is still in the process of testing the technology.

SOURCE: www.officer.com

Minnesota Unit to Add New MD 500E

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Enforcement, purchased a new MD 500E in early November. The custom-built helicopter is expected to perform a variety of missions in support of DNR’s responsibility to manage natural lands, maintain healthy wildlife populations, and support law enforcement, firefighting and general forestry operations across the state’s more than 5.5 million acres of managed land.

The aircraft will be the first MD helicopter to join DNR since the unit was launched in 1947. The MD 500E will be added to six fixed-wing aircraft and two additional rotorcraft in the DNR hangars. In 2014, the aircraft combined to fly nearly 2,000 mission hours.

DNR’s MD 500E will feature the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B 420shp turbine engine, Fargo 21-gallon auxiliary fuel tank, wire strike protection system, provisions for the Talon LC Keeperless hydraulic release cargo hook to support external loads up to 2,000 pounds and onboard load-weigh system. High-contrast main rotor blades, a Nightscanner HID searchlight and NVISB interior will provide improved visibility when flying through areas of dense brush or in low-light scenarios.

The right-hand command aircraft will have a cockpit configuration that features a Garmin 500H EFIS flight display and Garmin GTN650H touchscreen GPS/navigation and communications system, as well as an AMS44 dual channel audio panel.

SOURCE: MD Helicopters

California Agency Seeks New Airplane

The Modesto (CA) Police Department is investigating the purchase of a fixed-wing aircraft to bring its air support in-house. Police Chief Galen Carroll has sought as much as $660,000 for a light sport aircraft that seats two and is equipped with a spotlight and high-definition camera. The Modesto City Council is currently seeking public comment before approving the purchase.

Carroll said volunteer pilots and police officers would fly the aircraft. He envisions being in the sky five to six hours a day, five days a week, patrolling the city, conducting traffic enforcement and helping with crimes in progress and special operations. Modesto currently receives air support through the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Adam Christianson said his department’s helicopter is in the air 25 to 30 hours a week, primarily Fridays through Sundays. He said the helicopter covers the county but spends the majority of its time in Modesto. He said his department does not charge Modesto.

SOURCE: www.modbee.com

Chicago Suburb Receives UAS Approval

The Orland Park (IL) Police Department announced on Nov. 17 it has received FAA permission to begin using an unmanned aircraft system. Local media reports indicated the department will train about a half-dozen officers to pilot the aircraft. Authorities said they mainly see the UAS being helpful in search and rescue operations, looking for missing persons and tracking fugitives. Police Chief Tim McCarthy called it "another tool in the toolbox" and said police would have to get a search warrant to use the UAS for surveillance in a criminal investigation. The chief said the department won't operate the aircraft at night and will have to be recertified after two years.

SOURCE: www.fox32chicago.com

 Did You Know?

Did you know that the APSA office staff observes 11 holidays annually? And four of those holidays will occur in the next two months. APSA offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 24-25, observing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will be closed again on Friday, January 1 and Monday, January 18 in observance of New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, respectively.

The staff and board of APSA wish you a safe and merry holiday season and a happy new year.

California Man Pleads Guilty to Police Laser Strike

A 28-year-old man from Fresno, CA entered a guilty plea in late November to aiming the beam of a laser pointer at Air 1, a Fresno Police Department helicopter. In pleading guilty, the man acknowledged he repeatedly struck Air 1 with a powerful green laser attached to an airsoft rifle. The aircrew reportedly experienced visual interference, flash blindness, after-imaging, persistent headaches lasting several hours and dizziness. Two Fresno Police officers who were responding to calls to assist in the investigation of the laser incident were also seriously hurt when their patrol vehicle was broadsided at a busy intersection in northeast Fresno.

The man is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 19, 2016. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

SOURCE: Office of the  U.S. Attorney

NJ State Police Signs Training Contract

The New Jersey State Police Department has signed a long-term training contract with Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland for the department’s AW139 intermediate twin helicopters. The three-year training contract, with the option to add two additional years, features a comprehensive package of services including simulator training. The state police’s fleet of five AW139s is tasked with law enforcement, surveillance, EMS and homeland security activities.

In addition to the New Jersey State Police, AgustaWestland announced it has signed a five-year deal with helicopter emergency medical services provider STARS in Western Canada. The contracts combined will entail more than 2,600 simulator flight hours to the pilots of STARS and the New Jersey State Police and are expected to enhance the units’ operational readiness.

SOURCE: AgustaWestland

Helicopters Would Be Key to New Victoria Police Pursuit Policy

A proposal to replace road pursuits and stop offenders speeding away from police in Victoria, Australia, would put helicopters front and center on suspect chases. The Victoria Police Association has suggested a 24-hour helicopter service dedicated to backing up officers on the ground on the heels of suspects driving a stolen car and shooting at police in late November. Police later arrested two women and one man for the shooting.

Victoria Police Association Secretary Ron Iddles said the incident was the sixth time officers had been either shot at or driven at in recent months and that a helicopter dedicated to supporting police should be “seriously considered.” “If you had a police helicopter in the air … you would have the ability to follow vehicles without endangering members or the public,” he said. “They do it overseas. It’s feasible, but yes it would cost money.”

SOURCE: www.heraldsun.com.au

Grand Forks Department Continues Advocating for UAS

University of North Dakota aviation professor, sheriff's deputy and unmanned aircraft systems advocate Al Frazier spoke to a crowd about the benefits of UAS in mid-November at Prairie Buzz, a monthly event. Frazier said UAS are another tool for officers to use, and their role in law enforcement will continue to expand as the technology advances. "It doesn't matter what we call them—unmanned aircraft, drones, remotely-piloted vehicles—they're coming and they're coming in a big way," Frazier said. "And they're going to do really good things for us."

The sheriff's office is part of the Northeast Regional UAS Unit, which also includes officers from Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and UND's police departments. Since becoming operational in May 2013, the unit has responded to 24 calls for assistance in the region that include searching for missing persons or suspects and photographing crime or traffic accident scenes. Training is underway for other scenarios, including reports of burglaries at businesses.

SOURCE: www.grandforksherald.com

Orlando Men Convicted of Pointing Laser at Sheriff's Helicopter

Two Orlando men have been convicted of shining a laser pointer at an Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Support Unit helicopter and a passenger jet. A federal jury found the 21-year-old and 22-year-old guilty of knowingly aiming laser beams at a sheriff's helicopter and a Southwest Airlines jet in July. Both men face five years in federal prison when they are sentenced in 2016.

SOURCE: www.mynews13.com

California Sheriff Rescues Two Hikers

The San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff’s Office assisted on the rescue of two hikers in the Mt. Baldy area in early November. Three men became lost hiking in the area, when one of them slipped and fell, sustaining non-life threatening injuries. One of the hikers called 911 on his cell phone, and the Fontana Station dispatched personnel for a search and rescue.

San Bernardino’s 40 King 1 responded, located the hikers and determined West Valley Search and Rescue teams would need to hike in to the victims. After hiking for approximately two hours, ground teams reached the victims and determined one would need to be hoisted to safety. The air rescue team retrieved the man at first light and transported him to a waiting ambulance.

SOURCE: www.highlandnews.net

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during October 2015:

Corporate Member

Axnes, Inc.
RPX Technologies, Inc.

Individual Members

Scott Allen, Prince George's County (MD) Police Department
Collin Arnold, New Orleans (LA) Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Wade Arnold, Jackson (TN) Police Department
Brandon Bankston, Jackson (TN) Police Department
Josh Boswell, US Army (HI)
Jodi Brommer, Upper Limit (UT)
John Bussell, Gwinnett County (GA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Jonathan Cox, Jackson (TN) Police Department
Tim Gandola, Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office Flight Unit
Scott Hauge, NDBCI
Peter Kassing, Sundance Helicopters
Mitchell Kelldorf, H5 Productions
Aaron Kelliher, Chino (CA) Police Department
Jon King, Moraga (CA) Police Department
Matthew Knorr, Silver Airways
Kelly Mason, Jackson (TN) Police Department
Steve Overton, Jackson (TN) Police Department
Clint Paton, Jackson (TN) Police Department
Keith Potter, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit
Matthew Scales, Hoover (AL) Police Department
Steve Seabrooke, York Regional Police (ON, Canada)
Steve Sennett, RPX Technologies Inc.
James Weipert, US ARMY
Trevor Womack, Stockton (CA) Police Department

Southeast Region Safety Seminar Coming in January

The Southeast Region Safety Seminar will be held Jan. 12-14, 2016, in Ocala, FL. APSA Safety Seminars are offered free of charge for all active APSA members and cover a wide range of topics through informative training classes and roundtable discussions. The latest aviation products and technology will be displayed at a mini-tradeshow, and many networking opportunities will be available.

The event will be hosted by the Marion County (FL) Sheriff's Office and held at the Hilton Ocala Hotel. A discount room rate is available until Dec. 27. Online registration is available now at http://alea.org/2016-southeast-region-safety-seminar-ocala-fl.

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