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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 Safety Seminar Headed to San Antonio, TX

Join APSA on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX, Nov. 13-15, for our last Safety Seminar of 2018. The seminar will take place at the Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel, with room discounts available until Oct. 22. Don’t delay!

Course topics during the Safety Seminar include external loads, safety tools and aircraft positioning for optimal efficiency. Additionally, we’ll conduct invaluable roundtable discussions for aircrews and unit managers and supervisors.

In conjunction with the seminar, Survival Systems USA will be offering their Water Survival and Egress Training Course on Tuesday, November 13. The class is limited to a maximum of 30 participants. To register, contact Tracy Whitehead at Survival Systems USA as soon as possible via twhitehead@survivalsystemsinc.com.

Details and registration are available on our website.

APSA Taking our TFO Course on the Road in December

APSA will conduct our Tactical Flight Officer Course, Dec. 17-19, in Tampa, FL, at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Tampa Bay.

APSA’s TFO Course is designed to provide aircrew members the tactical skills and information necessary to safely and successfully support ground units engaged in a variety of law enforcement missions. Although specifically designed for TFOs, this course is applicable to pilots, crewmembers and unit supervisors.

Attendees will learn the elements of crew coordination, gain knowledge on how to set up a perimeter, direct the activities of ground units from the air, manage a vehicle pursuit and conduct a thermal imagery search using the latest in airborne tactics. Additionally, attendees will learn what specialized equipment is available and how to properly use the most common tools. This class is essential to the professional development of aviation law enforcement personnel and also meets one of the requirements for TFO training related to accreditation. Successful completion requires attendance at all 24 hours of classroom instruction.

Registration for this course is $350 for members and $450 for non-members, and is available on our website.

Discounted room rates at the DoubleTree Suites are available by using the discount code of “AIR/Airborne Public Safety Association” and booking before November 30.

National Law Enforcement Museum Opens This Month

It has taken 18 years, but the National Law Enforcement Museum is set to open to the public with a celebration on Saturday, Oct. 13, after a grand opening to be held on Oct. 11. (Watch a 3-minute time-lapse video of the museum being constructed here.

This is the nation’s first museum that gives visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience of what life in law enforcement is really like. It has more than 21,000 artifacts from every era and facet of American law enforcement. Each object helps illustrate the important role American law enforcement plays in society, as well as its invaluable contribution to American history. With a mission of helping strengthen the relationship between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve, the museum also offers a host of educational and community programs for visitors of all ages.

Located just steps from the National Mall and some of our country’s most noted landmarks, the National Law Enforcement Museum is a must-do stop on any visit to Washington, DC. Fallen heroes are remembered inside the museum in the beautiful Hall of Remembrance, a reflective space where visitors can leave a tribute to a fallen officer. For more information, please visit www.lawenforcementmuseum.org.

Next Week: Remote Pilot-In-Command Course in Alameda County, CA

APSA will conduct a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course next week, Oct. 8-9, at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services. The registration fee is $160 and includes a one-year membership to APSA for new members.

APSA’s RPIC Course consists of 18 hours of classroom instruction for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, who are interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under FAR PART 107. 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.

In addition, 3 additional briefings specific to law enforcement use of sUAS will be conducted: Introduction to Law Enforcement use of sUAS; Obtaining certificates of authorization or waiver (COAS) and Part 107 waivers; and Aerial search and seizure.

FAA EXAM IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COURSE. EXAM MUST BE SCHEDULED AND PAID FOR SEPARATELY. Successful completion requires attendance at all classroom sessions. Registration and the educational agenda can be found on our website.

Public Safety Helicopters Provide Valuable Hurricane Florence Support

Police and National Guard helicopters have been instrumental in supporting rescue efforts in the wake of Hurricane Florence in mid-September. The Tennessee National Guard sent three Black Hawk helicopters to North Carolina to conduct medical evacuation and hoist rescues, as well as transport medical patients and supplies to those in remote areas. Tennessee provided police support to South Carolina, as well.

“Our aircrews are some of the best I’ve had the privilege to work with in my entire career,” said Colonel Joe Miller, state aviation officer. “They get a lot of practice with missions in the Smoky Mountains, and I’m confident [they provided] top-notch support to the citizens of North Carolina.”

SOURCE: www.thedailytimes.com

Albuquerque Gets Funding for New Helicopter

Funding to buy a new helicopter for the Albuquerque Police Department has now been approved. Mayor Tim Keller tweeted in mid-September that funding for the chopper was granted by the local city council. The aircraft will be purchased with $5.2 million of the city’s general fund. The current police department helicopter is 17 years old and needs to be replaced, as the H-120 has outdated technology and trouble taking off in hot temperatures.

SOURCE: www.krqe.com 

Austin Police Releases Video of Serial Bomber

The Austin (TX) Police Department recently released a video taken from one of its helicopters of a bomber who terrorized the city for weeks. The video can be seen here.

The police department said the video highlights the importance of the Air Support Unit and its three EC120s. “There's been several critical incidents in Austin that aircraft have been involved in just in the last five years,” APD Chief Pilot Ryan Miller said. “If you have a loved one that's stranded on the roof of their car that's getting swept away, having a helicopter show up and be able to pull them to safety, you can't put a price on that. Same thing with a car chase or a missing child.”

SOURCE: www.kvue.com 

FAA To Host Free International Safety Conference This Month

The Federal Aviation Administration will host the 2018 FAA International Rotorcraft Safety Conference from October 23-25 in Hurst, Texas. The conference is for the entire helicopter industry: pilots, mechanics, manufacturers, modifiers, engineers, and students. The conference will feature discussion forums, breakout sessions and presentations focused on helicopter safety. There is no cost to attend the conference.

The conference will feature presentations from small operators and major industry and FAA leaders. Topics include crash injury protections, surviving a helicopter accident, single pilot resource management, avoiding inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions, rotor blade inspection and preventive maintenance, bird strikes, and flight data monitoring.

The conference’s first and third days, October 23 and October 25, will feature programs designed to appeal to the entire helicopter community. The conference’s second day – October 24 – will have separate presentations for pilots and for mechanics. Conference attendees will receive Inspection Authorization credits, AMT, and WINGS pilot proficiency program credits. Admission is free. For more information about the FAA conference and to register, visit www.faahelisafety.org. For general questions, contact eugene.trainor@faa.gov.

Source: FAA

San Diego County to Replace Four Helicopters

The San Diego County (CA) Sheriff’s Department expects to replace four helicopters over the next five years. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the director of the county’s purchasing department to issue a competitive solicitation for one Bell 407GX helicopter outfitted with sheriff’s department equipment, with the option to purchase three additional helicopters.

The sheriff’s department includes the Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) unit, which assists in locating suspects, search and rescue operations and firefighting. The ASTREA fleet has nine helicopters: three Bell 205s assigned to the fire and life safety program, four MD 500s, and two Bell 407s, which are assigned to law enforcement but can support the fire and life safety program.

The estimated cost for each Bell 407GX helicopter is $5,200,000. The county has budgeted for the first aircraft via $3,864,747 in asset forfeiture revenue, $668,975 from the sheriff’s department capital improvement budget and $666,278 from the ASTREA trust fund.

SOURCE: www.eccalifornian.com 

North Carolina Sheriff Adds UAS

The Henderson County (NC) Sheriff’s Office has added a new unmanned aircraft system with law enforcement tools and a trained, licensed pilot to its operations. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the UAS would be deployed during manhunts, cases of kidnapped or missing people, at active shooter sites, and for post-crime scene analysis. “This drone will make our team more effective,” Hillhouse said. “We’ve already seen where the mere presence of the vehicle helped drive a wanted man to arresting deputies, and we know that these aircraft give hope to people lost in rough, overgrown terrain.”

The department said in a press release its new Inspire 1 UAS is equipped with a camera system for video and still photography with zoom and thermal capabilities. The aircraft has GPS tracking, can reach speeds of 49 miles per hour, weighs just less than seven pounds and comes with an iPad monitor and backup batteries for longer flight times. Henderson County Crime Stoppers purchased and donated the $15,000 worth of equipment and training.

SOURCE: www.kltv.com 

Portsmouth Receives Grant to Buy UAS

The Portsmouth (NH) Police Department is receiving a $69,638 federal grant to buy an unmanned aircraft system. Police Chief Robert Merner said the UAS would be shared with other city departments and the 14-community Seacoast Emergency Response Team. The chief said the drone can be used to locate missing people and protect the public, but it will not be used to invade privacy. He said the UAS would be useful during Portsmouth’s large-scale events, including political protests and presidential visits.

The police chief said the first assignment for a new drone would likely be for mapping schools and other public buildings. He said the local planning department could also use the UAS for mapping, and the fire department could use it for active events and prevention planning. Officer James Noury has been trained to use a drone, and two additional officers will also receive training. Merner said the FAA has declared the entire city of Portsmouth a restricted flying zone, and federal permission must be granted before any UAS is activated.

SOURCE: www.seacoastonline.com 

Pensacola Police Partners for UAS Project

The Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) has announced a partnership with the Pensacola Police Department to create an unmanned aircraft systems program. The program was recently introduced with a press conference and UAS flight demonstration.

The Pensacola Police Department will receive four UAS designed and built by IHMC. For about $50,000 in taxpayers’ money, the police force will receive the UAS, comprehensive training in technical and legal subjects and required Federal Aviation Administration licenses. The police department expects to use the specialized drones in search and rescue, disaster response, fugitive evasion, threatening situations and monitoring outdoor events. The department selected four officers to operate the UAS and four backup pilots. The partnership will require IHMC to provide ongoing consultation, maintenance and modifications to the technology.

SOURCE: www.inweekly.net 

OPP Helicopter Assists in Two Arrests

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Aviation Service Section in Canada recently assisted on the pursuit and apprehension of two individuals associated with a criminal investigation. Officers were conducting the investigation when a vehicle entered the area being operated in a dangerous manner. The aviation unit helped monitor the suspect vehicle’s location as it fled the scene and continued to monitor the suspects when they exited their vehicle and ran into a cornfield.

OPP members, including two canine units, tracked and arrested the male and female suspects without further incident. The suspects were transported to a local operations center for further processing. The investigation is ongoing.

SOURCE: www.guelphtoday.com 

NYPD Aviation Offers Support for U.S. Open

The New York Police Department Aviation Unit offered airborne support during the U.S. Open tennis tournament finals in early September. NYPD helicopters helped monitor the 750,000 people attending Flushing Meadows-Corona Park during the final two days of the tournament.

Among many of the high-tech security measures in place, officers with the counterterrorism unit were equipped with radiation backpacks for enhanced detection. “It's an international event, so we have some very real concerns,” Deputy Chief of Counterterrorism Joseph Gallucci said. “Any elements of a dirty bomb, certain types of explosive devices and precursors to bomb making and that sort of thing—we cover it pretty well.” Above the venue, the aviation unit helicopters were equipped with new radiation detection equipment for wide sweeps of the area. “The unit acts as a force multiplier, being able to cover a large area with just one helicopter,” Lieutenant Richard Knoeller said. “We have a sensor mission package with mapping, electro-optical infrared cameras [and] we can scan several rooftops in minutes.”

SOURCE: www.abc7ny.com 

New York State Aviation Helps Eradicate Dwindling Pot Crop

The New York State Police Aviation Unit recently assisted on a Washington and Saratoga County marijuana eradication effort that yielded about 500 plants. Reports indicate the number of illegal crops was down for the year. Washington County Undersheriff John Winchell said aviation unit flyovers last year helped eradicate almost 1,100 plants. “It was a down year,” he said. “I’m not sure what it was.”

Washington County was once one of the biggest producers of illegal marijuana in the state, but the total number of plants has been dropping each year since 2012. Police said more people have taken to growing indoors as equipment has become less expensive and medical marijuana legalization has made access easier.

SOURCE: www.poststar.com 

Video: MSP Aviation Locates Lost Hikers

The Michigan State Police (MSP) Aviation Unit recently rescued several lost hikers with the help of the department’s canine unit. Video of the rescue can be seen here. The helicopter crew directed the canine unit to the hikers, who had become lost in a state game area north of Lansing. No information was available about the condition of the hikers.

SOURCE: www.nbc25news.com 

Prattville Police Request Aerial Support for Vehicle Burglaries

The Prattville (AL) Police Department called in air surveillance to help make arrests following a string of vehicle break-ins across the city. Police said in a 35-day span, between 50 and 60 vehicles were broken into. The department worked with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Aviation Unit to conduct late night and early morning helicopter surveillance operations to catch the burglars.

“They fly completely dark, and the FLIR will pick up hot tires, engines,” Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson said. “It’ll give us an idea if something is in the area.” Thompson said the helicopter’s wider viewing area is also an advantage. “We can see something two neighborhoods away that we’re not able to see with the naked eye,” he said.

SOURCE: www.wsfa.com 

APSA Online Meetings: October 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 October 2018, the online meeting for UAS operators will be conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC). For safety officers, the meeting will be conducted Friday, Oct. 19 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC), and for maintenance technicians on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC). Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. 

Delaware State Helicopter Helps Catch Armed Suspect

The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit helped apprehend an armed robbery suspect crossing state lines in mid-September. The 42-year-old ended up in Maryland State Police custody after ramming a trooper's vehicle. The man had robbed a 7-Eleven with a handgun and fled in a Dodge Dakota pickup. Several police departments came together to cooperate on the chase, including Middletown, New Castle, and Fish and Wildlife.

Middletown Police had warrants on the suspect for robbery, and state police wanted him on burglary charges, authorities said. Now, he also faces warrants for first-degree robbery, disregarding a police officer signal, resisting arrest and traffic violations in Delaware. He is being held in Maryland, pending extradition to Delaware, on felony warrants related to the criminal and traffic charges.

SOURCE: www.delawareonline.com 

Virginia State Aviation Provides Support in Charlottesville

The Virginia State Police Aviation Unit was again part of the support response when rallies were planned for the one-year anniversary of Charlottesville’s “Unite the Right” rally. Two aviation unit crewmembers were killed in a crash while responding to the rally one year ago. Virginia State Police spent around $3.1 million assisting the City of Charlottesville on the anniversary weekend of the white nationalist rallies of Aug. 11 and 12, according to information released by officials in late September.

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel, including more than 700 Virginia state troopers, were present in the downtown Charlottesville area and throughout the region during the recent weekend as Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Interim City Manager Mike Murphy declared state and local emergencies. Police activity during the weekend drew sharp criticism from community members and students. The elevated police presence came after law enforcement failed to stop white supremacist violence at last year’s rallies. An independent report called the 2017 police response inadequate. In 2017, Virginia State Police spent about $916,000 responding to the Unite the Right rally.

SOURCE: www.dailyprogress.com and www.cavalierdaily.com 

Stockton Police Receives Three Bids for First Helicopter

The Stockton (CA) Police Department plans to purchase its first helicopter, and three aircraft manufacturers have shown interest in providing the airframe. Hangar One Avionics, Bell Helicopter and Airbus submitted bids to supply the aircraft, and the department indicates a contract is expected to be awarded by the end of the year. The department has not said when it plans to put the helicopter into service.

The Stockton Police Department was awarded a $3 million grant in July for the purchase of the helicopter. Police Chief Eric Jones said it would be used for patrol support as well as block searches, vehicle chases, searching for wanted people, missing persons searches and looking for emergency situations on levies during floods. According to bid documents, the department is requiring the new aircraft be equipped with a GPS system, Technisonic radio, digital video recorders, a mapping system and night vision goggles, among other amenities.

SOURCE: www.recordnet.com 

NYPD Makes Dramatic Air and Sea Rescue

New York Police Department Aviation and Harbor Units responded in mid-September when four people were left stranded on a beach. The victims’ pickup truck had been caught in high tide floods, and scuba divers were sent in from an Aviation Unit helicopter. The divers discovered three men and a woman trapped inside the passenger compartment of a Chevrolet Silverado. The three men, aged 27, 44 and 58, and one woman, aged 28, were removed from the vehicle and escorted to the shore. Watch the video here.

They were examined by emergency medical services but refused treatment. A preliminary investigation revealed the 27-year-old driver and his passengers drove onto the beach, where they began fishing.

SOURCE: www.dailymail.co.uk 

Arizona DPS Airlifts 16 Hikers to Safety

Rescuers airlifted 16 hikers from a remote canyon area in southeastern Arizona after they became stranded due to flash flooding last month. Two Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopters, Ranger 54 and 58, were requested by the Pinal County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) to help aid with hiker rescues within the Aravaipa Canyon on the morning of September 2.

The first helicopter found two campers on a plateau when the crew saw additional hikers needing extraction. An additional Ranger crew was dispatched to help respond. Six people were flown out by a short-haul method, which utilizes a 150-foot cable to carry people externally below the helicopter. Ten more hikers were removed from the canyon either by the helicopters landing to load passengers or by hover ingress; a technique in which helicopters hover while passengers load onto the aircraft.

Arizona DPS said the helicopters re-fueled on-site by the DPS fuel truck, reducing the number of hours required to complete the rescue mission. The aircraft flew for nearly eight hours with close to 13 hours of mission time. “This rescue is another example of the exceptional work of our Arizona State Troopers and the cooperation of Arizona law enforcement and first responders who rescue people that are stranded, lost or injured beyond the reach of normal emergency services,” said Lt. Colonel Ken Hunter of the Agency Support Division.

Source: www.kyma.com 

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following individual members who joined during September 2018:

Individual Members:

Matt Akers, Shawnee County (KS) Sheriff's Office
Michael Ayala, Ontario (CA) Police Department Air Support
Michael Balzano, El Monte (CA) Police Department
Mark Banks, Tuolumne County (CA) Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue
Robert Barillas, Ontario (CA) Police Department Air Support
Mark Baumgardner, Lake County (IN) Sheriff's Department
David Berumen, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Stephen Bonvino, Massachusetts State Police Airwing - Plymouth Air Base
Jason Breijo, Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department
Raymond Cogburn, Altamonte Springs (FL) Police Department
Amy Duncam, Manatee County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Christopher Ercolano, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Adam Greenburg, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Patrick Gregg, Georgia Forestry Commission Air Operations Unit
Ricardo Gutierrez, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Dan Hadfield, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Andrew Hamilton, Massachusetts State Police Airwing - Plymouth Air Base
Michael Hardial, Nassau County (NY) Police Department Aviation Unit
John Heineman, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement
Zina Hullings, Ontario (CA) Police Department Air Support
Jeffrey Hunnicutt, Georgia Tech Police Department
Rodney Jaime, Houston (TX) Police Department
Jared Leggett, Manatee County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Roberto Macias, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Michael Rodriquez, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Joseph Rubert, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Jason Shelter , California Highway Patrol
Matthew Slawson, Blue Line Drones
Todd Turner, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Scott Warmington, Massachusetts State Police Airwing - Division of Homeland Security
Cary Webb, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Troy Wilson, Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Rangers