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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.

Next Week: APSA Safety Seminar Headed to St. Louis

The second APSA Safety Seminar of 2019 starts next Tuesday evening, April 9, in St. Louis, MO, with an opening reception at the Sheraton Westport Plaza Tower Hotel. Louis Metro Air Support Unit will be our host for the 3-day event. You can find the educational lineup for the St. Louis Safety Seminar here.

Registration to APSA Safety Seminars is included in your APSA Individual Membership for all active APSA members. And for this event, the nominal non-member fee has been waived!! To ensure sufficient food and seating, please register for this event ASAP. 

See you next week in St. Louis!

Deadline May 1: Accepting 2019 APSF Award Nominations & Scholarship Applications

For over 40 years, the Airborne Public Safety Association has encouraged the highest standards of professionalism in public safety aviation by acknowledging outstanding performance within our specialized industry.  Through the Awards & Scholarships Program of the Airborne Public Safety Foundation (APSF), we recognize excellence by our members, their children and others whose actions have had a positive impact on our profession through awards and scholarships.

Annually, APSF presents seven awards to recognize excellence by our members and others whose actions have had a positive impact on our profession. To honor the academic achievements of our members’ children, APSF offers 18 scholarships totaling $43,000.

APSF is accepting award nominations and scholarship applications now through May 1. Scholarship recipients and award winners will be announced during APSCON 2019 in Omaha, NE. The scholarships will be presented during the General Membership Meeting July 18, and the awards will be presented during the Awards Reception on July 19. For full details and to submit nominations and applications, click here.

Chula Vista Wins Approval for BVLOS UAS Flights

The Chula Vista (CA) Police Department (CVPD) recently received FAA approval to fly unmanned aircraft systems beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot. It is the first agency in the nation to receive the designation. The department has been testing and integrating unmanned aircraft into its activities since October 2018, conducting more than 300 flights in the process. CVPD’s UAS are equipped with the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform, which enables teleoperation of the drones and provides collision avoidance to help prevent accidents.

The BVLOS waiver is the culmination of work by CVPD, Cape Aerial and Skyfire Consulting under FAA’s Integration Pilot Program (IPP). The three organizations are members of the San Diego IPP team, one of 10 groups working to prototype and field test drone-based applications. The waiver is expected to lay the groundwork for other public safety agencies and industries to develop similar programs and safety practices. Securing a BVLOS waiver greatly increases the total area UAS can cover.

SOURCE: www.insideunmannedsystems.com

APSCON 2019 Coming to Omaha in July

APSA’s premier annual event highlighting public safety aviation will land in Omaha, NE, this year. APSCON 2019 will be held at the CHI Health Center Omaha from July 15 to 20. The exhibit hall will be open July 17-19.

APSCON 2019 will be filled with education and training options, including some of the best conference courses and classes in the industry presented by its leading experts. The exhibition floor will feature the latest, cutting-edge technology available to public safety aviators, in addition to providing an opportunity to visit with peers.

APSCON 2019 registration is now open for attendees and exhibitors.

Arizona Sheriff Finds Success With UAS at Crash Sites

The Pima County (AZ) Sheriff’s Department has found a niche for its two unmanned aircraft systems investigating traffic accidents with fatalities and serious injuries. Previously, detectives would climb a fire engine ladder for the aerial photos they needed. And while the department has only used the unmanned aircraft twice since launching its UAS program, Detective Sean McMillan said the UAS have made investigating traffic accidents easier, faster and cheaper.

McMillan is one of five department detectives certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the drones. The UAS use software to take photos and measurements of roadway scars to determine collision causes. The software cost the department $8,700, plus annual maintenance costs. The cost of the two UAS together was $3,580. The department took on additional costs for training its five pilots, who each received 40 hours of instruction. The drones are operational for day and night investigations, but they can’t be used in rain or strong winds.

SOURCE: www.tucson.com

Video: CHP Helicopter Lands to Assist in Arrest

When the Sacramento (CA) Police Department attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in late March, the driver fled at a high rate of speed. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers joined the chase, and CHP aircraft quickly became indispensable as the suspected car thief bailed out of his vehicle and ran on foot. “Due to CHP Helicopter H-30 and CHP Airplane Air-31 being overhead, ground CHP officers were able to follow the suspect safe at a distance," CHP said on Facebook.

Two CHP ground officers were able to enter the complex into which the suspect fled, and the Vacaville Police Department responded to assist them. During a struggle between the suspect and two arresting officers, the CHP helicopter landed between rows of semi-trailers. Two CHP personnel exited the helicopter and assisted in taking the suspect into custody without further incident. Neither the suspect nor the arresting officers were injured during the incident. For video of the incident, visit https://www.policemag.com/508408/video-chp-helicopter-lands-between-lot-full-of-semi-trailers-to-assist-in-arrest.

SOURCE: www.policemag.com

Man Arrested for Shining Strobe at California Sheriff’s Helicopter

A 20-year-old man could face federal charges after being accused of shining a flashlight at a Kern County (CA) Sheriff's Office (KCSO) helicopter. KCSO said the incident occurred just before 10 p.m. on March 22. A strobe light tracked the helicopter as it descended toward the department’s hangar. The helicopter’s aircrew said it became impossible to see when the aircraft was struck by the light. Investigators tracked the strobe to a home and arrested a man believed to have been operating it. KCSO said it is considering federal prosecution.

SOURCE: www.kget.com

APSA Members: Enter Air Beat's 2019 Photo Contest

Captured a great photo lately? Enter your best shots in Air Beat magazine's 2019 Photo Contest to win a GoPro HERO Black7 camera with memory. You're going to love GoPro’s new features; enter Air Beat's photo contest this month for your chance to win!

To be eligible to enter, the photographer must be an APSA member in good standing, and the photos must have a public safety aviation element (aircraft, crew, mission, training, etc.) and include a caption. The contest submission deadline is June 14, 2019; entries will be accepted at www.airbeatmagazine.com. The more photos you submit, the greater your chances of winning. The grand prize will be awarded on July 18 during the General Membership Meeting at APSCON 2019 in Omaha, NE. The winner is not required to be present.

Omaha's Aircrew Assists With Flooding Rescue

The Omaha Police Department (OPD) shared a video of a nighttime helicopter rescue that happened after two people became stranded on top of a pickup cab, demonstrating the danger of driving through barricades on flooded roads.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) said the driver entered high floodwaters and stalled. First responders from Waterloo Fire Department attempted to rescue the driver and his passenger, but the rescue boat ended up damaged and eventually sank. OPD's ABLE-1 helicopter and a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter assisted in the rescue of the first responders and civilians.

Motorists who ignore barricades and drive onto blocked roads will now face misdemeanor charges, the Omaha city prosecutor said last month.

CNC Launches Video Portal for Law Enforcement

CNC Technologies released CNC Live, its new defense-grade airborne law enforcement operations online portal, earlier this year and recently demonstrated the product at Helicopter Association International’s recent HELI-EXPO. CNC Live allows hosting, viewing, sharing and archiving real-time aerial downlink video footage. The portal enables commanders and staff to securely access video from helicopters, UAS and other aircraft from any Internet-connected device and securely share it with partner agencies in real-time.

CNC Live was used by multiple Georgia state and local law enforcement agencies at this year’s Super Bowl. Other law enforcement customers include the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Florida Highway Patrol, Michigan State Police, Dallas Police Department, Broward County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety.

SOURCE: www.ainonline.com

Maryland Department to End Police Aviation Program

The Howard County (MD) Police Department plans to discontinue its aviation program as the county faces a $108 million budget deficit. The program is expected to end April 30, according to a statement by the county executive's office. Police said the decision would not impact public safety.

“My number one priority is keeping our residents safe,” County Executive Calvin Ball said. “This common-sense change allows us to address our fiscal realities, without sacrificing that safety.” Howard County plans to work with the Anne Arundel County Police Department to meet its aviation support needs. Anne Arundel and Howard police keep their helicopters at the same airport, and the two departments split a schedule between four pilots who canvas the neighboring counties.

Howard County said it would save more than $300,000 in fiscal year 2020 by discontinuing the aviation program. Over the next four years, the savings will total nearly $1.8 million. The county plans to sell its 12-year-old aircraft, which has a current estimated value of about $1.5 million.

SOURCE: www.wbaltv.com and www.capitalgazette.com

Alabama Agencies Use UAS for Tornado Recovery

In tornado-stricken Alabama, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and other public safety agencies implemented unmanned aircraft systems to search through debris in early March. The UAS, outfitted with thermal imagers, helped rescue teams quickly search for survivors in the ravaged areas. Rescue numbers were not clear in the wake of the tornado that killed 23 people, but the unmanned aircraft helped reassure searchers they hadn't overlooked anyone. "They gave us an overhead view of areas we might have missed had we been at eye level on land," Sheriff Jay Jones said.

SOURCE: www.abcfoxmontana.com

Cayman Islands Police Takes Delivery of New Helicopter

A new Royal Cayman Islands Police Service helicopter arrived at Owen Roberts International Airport on March 21. The black Airbus H145 helicopter made its arrival earlier than originally planned after the police service’s existing helicopter sustained damage during an aborted takeoff in February. When the original aircraft returns to service, the department will operate both helicopters to provide air support to the police department’s land and marine units.

The helicopter was purchased for just over $11 million after Cayman Islands officials signed a memorandum of understanding in London last December. According to a state press release, the helicopter is expected to “boost Cayman’s capability in the areas of search and rescue, law enforcement and border protection operations.” The aircraft will also be used to respond to disasters and other emergency situations. Under the deal signed in London, the U.K. contributed 25 percent of the purchase price and operating costs of the helicopter.

SOURCE: www.caymancompass.com

APSA Online Meetings: April Schedule

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers and maintenance technicians as well as UAS and SAR operators via a conference call you can join using your computer, device or phone. Online meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

For April 2019, the online meeting for maintenance technicians will be conducted on Wednesday, April 17, from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC). The inaugural SAR meeting will be on Thursday, April 18, from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC).

For future reference: Safety Officer Meetings and UAS Meetings are conducted in odd-numbered months (upcoming in May, July, September, November); Maintenance Meetings will be conducted in even-numbered months (April, June, August, October, December). SAR Meetings, new for 2019, will be conducted quarterly beginning this month, followed by August and November.

California Police Department Obtains New Jet Ranger

The Stockton (CA) Police Department recently took delivery of a law enforcement-configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The law enforcement configuration includes high skid gear and forward/aft hard points for mounting equipment, as well as a 15-inch monitor with moving map system, loudhailer, MX-10 EO/IR sensor and searchlight. “The aircraft and aircrew’s primary mission and focus are to support the officers on the ground during day-to-day patrol operations,” said Joe Silva, public information officer for the Stockton Police Department. “Our Bell 505 will fly during the busiest hours of the busiest days.”

The Bell 505 offers a speed of 125 knots (232 kilometers/hour) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms). The aircraft is designed to be safe and easy to fly while providing significant value.

SOURCE: www.verticalmag.com  

San Diego Police ASU Selects Mission Computer

The San Diego Police Air Support Unit last month selected the UC-6000 mission computer as part of the department’s ongoing technology advancements to keep the citizens of San Diego safe. Using AeroComputers’ UC-6000 mission computer, San Diego Air Support Unit’s helicopters can now receive computer-aided dispatch (CAD) messages. When the decision is made to respond to an incident, the UC-6000 provides the bearing and distance to the incident and, when prompted, slews the helicopter’s camera to the target location. This technology reduces response times, enhances situational awareness, and provides aircrews with access to critical information. The safety of citizens and first responders is dramatically improved.

“We are very pleased to continue our long-standing relationship in support of the San Diego Police Air Support Unit,” said David Cady, sales manager at AeroComputers Inc. “They will certainly enjoy the exceptional performance the UC-6000 provides as they serve the citizens of San Diego.”

Small Alabama Unit Acquires UAS

A small police department in Etowah County, AL, has purchased a new unmanned aircraft system. The Southside Police Department purchased the UAS, with a thermal imager, for $3,900. The aircraft flew its first mission in late March when the department assisted the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at a crime scene. The Southside Police Department plans to use the UAS primarily at crime scenes and in missing person searches.

Southside Mayor Wally Burns said the UAS was purchased partly with a donation from an Etowah County commissioner. He said the UAS is expected to pay for itself by saving man-hours on ground searches. “It’s a tool that’s going to be utilized by more and more departments,” Police Chief Chris Jones said. “The technology’s getting more accessible to use. We have three operators that are going to FAA training. It’s really going to carry us to the next level.”

SOURCE: www.wbrc.com

UAS Operators: Air Beat Magazine Would Like To Hear From You

APSA’s Air Beat magazine is looking for members and agencies that operate UAS that would consider writing about their agency or mission work in public safety aviation. Please contact Editorial Director Lisa Wright at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org if you’d like to contribute an article or photography; the due date for this July-August 2019 issue is May 15.

Later this year, Air Beat will explore Technology in Public Safety Aviation and Women in Public Safety Aviation. We invite you to share your own or your agency’s accomplishments and success stories, mission tactics or knowledge that would help another APSA member. Contact Lisa at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org or call 727-343-5600 with any questions.

Indiana State Police Moves Into New Location

The Indiana State Police (ISP) has moved its aviation unit to Indy South Greenwood Airport but is currently using temporary housing as construction of the state police agency’s new facilities has fallen behind schedule. In mid-March, Greenwood’s Board of Aviation Commissioners approved a construction contract with Lee Construction of Gary for $709,900 to build a 12,000-square-foot steel hangar. The board chose between three bids for the project. The city’s estimate for the work was $950,000.

Another request for bids will go out in the coming weeks for construction of the 4,000 square-feet of office space requested by ISP, which will house 12 to 20 state police employees, including a SWAT team. Construction of both facilities is expected to begin this spring and be completed by July. The process was delayed due to an extended contract review period. The city agreed to build the new airport hangar and office space for the state police aviation unit last year.

SOURCE: www.dailyjournal.net

MSP Uses Helicopters to Survey Tornado Damage

The Michigan State Police (MSP) Aviation Unit deployed a helicopter to help officials survey tornado damage in mid-March. The patrols came in the wake of the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office filing a local state of emergency declaration when tornadoes damaged 70 homes. A spokesperson for the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division said the helicopter was deployed prior to committing further state assistance to the county.

Four tornadoes touched down across Central Michigan on March 15, leaving a trail of destruction, though no one was injured. The local sheriff's office spent the following day assessing the damage. Between 12 and 15 homes and businesses were complete losses, officials said. A monetary assessment of the damage has not yet been made.

SOURCE: www.detroitnews.com

NPAS Updates Airbus Contract for Fleet Support

The U.K.’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has selected Airbus Helicopters to continue providing support and maintenance for its fleet of 19 helicopters following a competitive procurement process. Oxford-based Airbus Helicopters U.K. will support the operation of 15 EC135s and four EC145s, each role-equipped and flown in support of the 43 regional police forces of England and Wales. The helicopters are based at 14 locations around the kingdom.

Under the terms of a five-year contract beginning October 2019, Airbus will provide a package of services including maintenance of aircraft and mission system equipment, continuing airworthiness management, supply of spare parts and engine support. The contract also includes the option for modifications to the aircraft and mission systems. NPAS had signed a previous contract with Airbus in 2014.

Formed in 2012, NPAS operates 24/7, 365 days a year. “Our aircraft will collectively be used for around 20,000 tasks every year, as requested by all police forces in England and Wales,” NPAS Head of Technical Services Steph McKenzie said.

SOURCE: www.adsadvance.co.uk

PAvCon Europe 2019 - The Networking Continues

The 2019 edition of PAvCon Europe will take place in Amsterdam, June 4-5. The venue for the event is Hangar 3, the JetSupport Service Center at Schiphol Airport, and the Dutch Police Air Support Unit is this year’s host. APSA will once again be on hand to support and network with our European counterparts. Complete information can be found in the Event Guide.

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during March 2019:

Corporate Members:

Quest Aircraft Company
Rhino Air, Inc.

Individual Members: 

Dillon Barnes, Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Peter Baumgartner, Clayton (MO) Police Department
Cory Berkebile, Beech Grove (IN) Fire Department
George Corless, Ellisville (MO) Police Department
Daniel Counsell, Baltimore City (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit
Daniel Cushing, Florissant (MO) Police Department
Mike Eggimann, Dickson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Amon Figgs, Brentwood (MO) Police Department
Donny Frederick, Jefferson County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Jeffrey Gibbens, Trumbull Unmanned
J.E.B. Harper, Army Aviation Heritage Group
Daniel Hasenauer, PA Office of Attorney General
Jerry Hawkins, Independent Member
Antonio Hernandez, Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue
George Hobson, Benton County (AR) Sheriff's Office
Ricardo Hoglhammer Dos Santos, Sao Paulo Military Police
Brian Huber, Baltimore City (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit
Nick Hulsey, Clayton (MO) Police Department
Christopher Hutchinson, Seminole County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
Paul Keller, Ellisville (MO) Police Department
Kevin Kill, Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Kurt Knapp, Metro Nashville (TN) Police Department Aviation Unit
Christopher Kramer, Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue
Oliver Kreuzer, Air Zermatt
Betzaida LaDieu, San Diego (CA) Sheriff's Department
Todd Lantz, Chesterfield (MO) Police Department
Charles Law, Pennsylvania State Police
Jerry Lohr, St. Louis County (MO) Police Department/Metro Air Support Unit
Brandon Mart, City Of Oakland (CA)
Brandon McMillan, Kansas Highway Patrol  Troop T - Hays
Nikki Miller, City of Hazelwood (MO)
Craig Mueller, Richmond Heights (MO) Police
Joey Nickles, Ellisville (MO) Police Department
Chanz Paddack, Seminole County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
Jeff Peters, Florissant (MO) Police Department
Greg Peters, Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit
Shane Placeway, Richmond Heights (MO) Police
Michael Rojas, San Diego (CA) Police Department
Kevin Rose, California Highway Patrol
Mike Sanders, Richmond Heights (MO) Police
Sean Seckler, City of Kirkwood (MO) Police Department
Nick Seiverling, Brentwood (MO) Police Department
Adam Shook, Richmond Heights (MO) Police
Bill Skrobul, Illinois (IL) State Police
Corey Smith, Ellisville (IL) Police Department
Diogo Souza, Baltimore City (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit
Odin Spinka, Richmond Heights (MO) Police
Nick Stanze, Brentwood (MO) Police Department
Robert Steht, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Headquarters
Leo Stolk, Netherlands (NH) Police
Luke Szczygielski, California Highway Patrol
Tim Turntine, Chesterfield (MO) Police Department
Jordan Tuttle, Pennsylvania State Police
Dustin Waterbly, Spokane Valley (WA) Fire Department
William Waters, Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Police Department
Donald Watters, Pennsylvania State Police
Geoffrey Weiss, City of Clayton (MO)
Christopher Young, Independent Member
Joseph Ziegler, Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit