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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.

APSCON 2021 Registration Open; Join Us for Our 50th in New Orleans!

APSCON 2021, the Airborne Public Safety Association’s 50^th annual conference & exposition, will be conducted live and in-person in New Orleans, July 26-31.  Join us as we celebrate 50+ years of training excellence in one of our favorite convention cities. Filled with education and training, APSCON offers the best conference courses and classes in the industry, and the conference’s expo hall showcases the latest cutting-edge technology for public safety aviation. You can find more information on our website. 

Registration is open now, so start making your plans for New Orleans this summer. The city, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport have undergone improvements and revitalization that you are sure to enjoy. We look forward to seeing you there and letting the good times roll!

One Day Remainging to Submit Nominations & Applications

APSA has extended the submission deadline for award nominations and scholarship applications, but until through 8:00 PM EDT tomorrow, May 8^th.  For over 40 years, APSA has encouraged the highest standards of professionalism in public safety aviation by acknowledging outstanding performance within our specialized industry. Through the Awards & Scholarships Program, we recognize excellence by our members, their children and others whose actions have had a positive impact on our profession.

Annually, APSA presents seven awards for exceptional performance in or contributions to public safety aviation.  And this year, APSA has 17 scholarships totaling $41,500 available to recognize the academic achievements of our member's children. Scholarship recipients and award winners will be announced during APSCON 2021 in New Orleans as part of the association's 50^th annual conference & exposition. For full details and to submit nominations and applications, click here.

APSA On-The-Road: NIST sUAS Train-The-Trainer Course

APSA is pleased to offer the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sUAS Standard Test Methods Train-the-Trainer Course. These On-the-Road events will feature 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction at a cost of $275. Six (6) courses are currently scheduled:

• Burnet, TX - May 22-24
• Alameda County, CA - June 10-12
• Creve Coeur, MO - July 22-24
• Fairfax, VA - August 12-14
• Lafayette, IN - September 23-25
• Niceville, FL - October 14-16, 2021

Location details, course and registration information, and a listing of local hotels can be found here.  A minimum of 30 paid registrants per course at least 21 days in advance is required to conduct these courses, so register today!

The NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program. NIST has created a comprehensive user guide, scoring forms, and apparatus targets that can be printed and placed in the test apparatus buckets. Attendees will learn how to fabricate apparatuses, conduct trials, and embed them into their own training and credentialing programs. The NIST sUAS Test Methods have been adopted, or are under consideration for adoption, by the Airborne Public Safety Accreditation Commission, National Fire Protection Association, and ASTM International.

Attendees should be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills, evaluate sensor systems and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots. Attendees must bring their own quadcopter style sUAS, capable of at least 15 minutes of flight time, equipped with a camera. Additional sUAS batteries and a battery charging station are also required. A laptop computer is highly desirable.

 On-The-Road in Spokane Next Week: UAS Tactical Operators Course, May 11-13

Instructed by Tactical Drone Concepts, the Tactical sUAS Operators Course is three days of intensive training designed to increase piloting skills and provide students with the ability to operate in non-traditional sUAS environments.  Students will be exposed to the equipment, tools, and techniques necessary to expand their sUAS program for the tactical environment. Each day will consist of four hours of classroom instruction and four hours of flight instruction, applying sUAS capabilities to real world scenarios.

Hosted by the Spokane County (WA) Sheriff's Office, the course will take place May 11-13 at the Spokane County Sheriff's Training Center from 0800-1700 daily. The cost is $795. Students will understand and apply techniques for interior operations, develop teaming concepts for use with other units or capabilities, utilize the sUAS as point and overwatch during tactical scenarios, understand weight & balance and center of gravity considerations for sUAS, identify issues associated with working in controlled airspace and operate as direct support for tactical team or SWAT operations

Don't miss this fantastic learning opportunity; register here.

June 7: PAvCon 2021 1-Day Virtual Event Facilitated by APSA

Due to the cancellation of a conventional face-to-face PAvCon Europe this year, Police Aviation Research is teaming up with the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) to conduct a PAvCon branded virtual training event. PAvCon Europe 2021 will be conducted on Monday, June 7, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Central European Time (CET), as a live, interactive webinar consisting of five distinct 1-hour sessions instructed by notable leaders in police aviation including Harald Brink, Luc Stremersch, Haiko Kroeze, David Howell, Joseba Mendizabal and Bryan Smith.   

This event will open to all but registration is required to receive the log-in information.  The agenda, registration link, and additional information can be found here. Please join us for this truly international event focused on European public safety aviation.

APSA Hosts FAA Webinar Briefing for Law Enforcement Next Month

APSA will offer an FAA Law Enforcement Briefing (Remote ID and Counter UAS) Webinar - for U.S. law enforcement officers only - on June 14 from 1-2:30 pm. The FAA's Enforcement Division Legal Counsel will provide answers to some of the most common questions received from law enforcement, such as helpful types of evidence in FAA regulatory cases and the difference between Part 107 operators and recreational operators. Legal counsel will also provide a brief concerning current counter-UAS issues and the destruction of UAS. They will provide updates concerning recent FAA regulatory changes related to Remote ID, Operations over People, and Operations at Night. All attendees must be registered to participate. 

If you are not a current APSA member and would like to join APSA to attend this webinar, click here or call our office at 301-631-2406 for assistance.

Online Remote Pilot-in-Command Course

APSA is pleased to offer our Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course online, June 2-4, 2021.  APSA's RPIC course is designed to provide students with a review of the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification Process and prepare students to pass the FAA Pilot's Exam. Successful completion requires attendance of all online sessions.

Register here by May 12, as a minimum of 30 paid registrants by this date is required to conduct the course.

Drone With Payload Will Assist An Oklahoma Sheriff's Office

The Pittsburg County (OK) Sheriff's Office has acquired a new Matrice 300 RTK model drone with extra features that Sheriff Chris Morris anticipates will help in protecting and serving the people of Pittsburg County. Morris said there have been plenty of times when he's seen the need for a drone. Soon, enough officers should be trained as operators to enable the Sheriff's Office to utilize it whenever needed.

The drone comes equipped with thermal imaging, camera/video system, LED lighting, loud speaker and two controllers, which can be handled by two different operators. That gives one operator the capability of sending the drone in flight to a second operator located some distance away. For example, it could be flown from the Sheriff's Office to somewhere else, where a deputy waiting there could pick up operations with the second controller. Morris plans for multiple officers at the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office to learn to fly the drone, including himself and Undersheriff Frankie McClendon. He expects them to obtain certification to operate it after successfully completing the training along with any other requirements.

The drone, with all its additional features, costs approximately $32,000 and was paid for through contributions made to the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Foundation, Morris said. He said he appreciates the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Department being able to get the new equipment.

Source: www.mcalesternews.com 

Australia Gifts Sri Lanka UAS to Spot Human Traffickers

Australia has given the Sri Lanka Police five unmanned aircraft systems to monitor the smuggling of individuals between the two countries. Officials said it is part of a wider project to help Sri Lanka establish "drone surveillance capability," which can also be used to conduct natural disaster scene assessments and recovery and transnational crime investigations. "Working together, Australia and Sri Lanka send a strong message that people smugglers and potential illegal immigrants considering illegal travel to Australia by boat have zero chance of success," said Rear Admiral Mark Hill, commander of Australia's Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders.

Australian Federal Police Senior Officer Rob Wilson said the drones could identify human trafficking in otherwise hard to access areas and provide assistance for search and rescue operations. Operation Sovereign Borders is a military border security operation located primarily within the Australia Department of Home Affairs but supported by a range of federal government agencies.

SOURCE: www.australianaviation.com.au 

NPAS Helicopter Cre Struck by Laser; Agency Warns Community

Two crewmembers in a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter experienced a prolonged laser strike on April 9. The laser temporarily blinded the two pilots it hit inside the helicopter. They contacted Derbyshire Police, which sent officers to the address where the laser came from.

While there were no permanent injuries in this incident, NPAS has taken to Twitter to warn people of the massive dangers doing this could pose, not only for the crew of the aircraft, but people living nearby as well. "Endangering an aircraft can get you in serious trouble. NPAS were able to pinpoint exactly where it came from and cops will be dealing swiftly," the post said. "The consequences of blinding the crew of a jet turbine helicopter, full of fuel and operating at low level over an urban area don't bear thinking about. Our families want us to go home to them and this offense can and does lead to heavy prison sentences. Never be tempted".

Source: Derbyshire Live

Maricopa County Dedicates Its New Rescue Helicopter

The Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Aviation Unit unveiled a new Bell 429 rescue helicopter last month. The twin-engine helicopter is larger than MCSO's current helicopter and has a heavy rescue capability, which will allow the department to conduct hoist rescue operations, officials said. It also provides more efficiency for missions and a higher margin of safety for rescues that may occur at a high altitude such as in the mountains.

The aircraft has been dedicated to a deputy who lost his life in the line of duty, Deputy Kenneth Blair, a 22-year Air Force veteran and a deputy sheriff with MCSO for eight years before he was killed on Sept. 28, 1995. The aircraft features Blairʼs badge number "812" displayed on the engine as part of the FAA registration number.

"Not only is hopefully Ken watching over us these days, he cared about the community, he cared about this agency, he cared about law enforcement," MCSO Chief Deputy Russ Skinner said. "Now, he has another tool with honor of his number on that piece of equipment to watch over and serve the public."

Source: www.ktar.com 

Maryland State Police Aviation Honors Technician James Anton

Maryland State Police Aviation Command's Major Tagliaferri and Deputy Director Lance Wood presented MSP's 2020 Technician of the Year Award to James Anton recently. Anton consistently demonstrates his dedication and professionalism to the mission by quickly mitigating problems as they arise and by prioritizing maintenance evolutions for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Anton's motto to "get the job done" is always at the forefront when any maintenance task is in need of completion.

Presenters said Anton always provides exceptional maintenance support to MSP's transient section aircraft throughout the state in order to ensure the aircraft a quick return to service. He always displays a superb work attitude and is an invaluable asset to the maintenance team. His outstanding service and dedication reflects greatly upon himself and the Maryland State Police, they said.

SOURCE: www.smnewsnet.com 

Aviation Maintenance Day - May 24th

Did you know that May 24 is Aviation Maintenance Day? Celebrated on the birthday of Charles Edward Taylor, the aviation maintenance technician who built and maintained the engine that was used to power the Wright brothers' first controlled flying machine on December 17, 1903, this day recognizes the efforts of aviation maintenance professionals.    

Don't forget to thank the hard-working people who make it possible for public safety aircrews to do their work and come home safely every day. Whether in-house or contract, maintenance plays a major role in the effectiveness of safety management efforts at your organization.

Virginia State Police Paramedic Recieves Governor's EMS Award

Theresa Kingsley-Varble, a MedFlight II paramedic for the Virginia State Police Aviation Unit, recently received the 2020 Governor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in EMS. Kingsley-Varble received the state-level award during a virtual presentation on March 20. Presenters said Kingsley-Varble has a diligent and tireless work ethic that has helped her in her 30-year career.

"I can think of no one more deserving of this award," said Bill Akers Jr., a Virginia State Police paramedic based in Abingdon. "She has been a dedicated EMS provider and administrator for many years. She not only has longevity, but the quality of her work is superior." In addition to serving as a flight paramedic for the VSP Aviation Unit, Kingsley-Varble is the emergency management coordinator for Washington County, preparing grant applications and coordinating mobile field operations at local events.

SOURCE: www.heraldcourier.com 

Add To Your Calendar: Upcoming Online MEeting Groups

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR and Natural Resources personnel, and UAS operators that you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. To facilitate this, the UAS, Safety Officer and Maintenance Technician Meeting Groups will meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups will meet quarterly.

These 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.

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:

UAS: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Safety Officers: Friday, May 28, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Maintenance: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)

Natural Resources: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)

SAR: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Ohio Police Department Deploys New UAS

The New Albany (OH) Police Department has purchased a $28,000 unmanned aircraft system capable of flying 400 feet and outfitted with a 300mm zoom camera that can read a license plate from a mile away. "It’s amazingly stable, even if it gets a little windy," said Officer Jeff Wall, one of four of the department's UAS pilots. The DJI Matrice 300 also features infrared vision and anti-collision sensors and can run for 50 minutes on battery power, and three backup battery packs that take less than one minute to swap out.

Police Chief Greg Jones said the multipurpose UAS is quieter than a helicopter and can go virtually undetected when flying hundreds of feet above the ground. The applications are numerous: providing aerial photos of crash scenes, monitoring traffic around crash scenes, assisting in locating evidence and missing people, and providing live feeds of real-time activities such as special events or police situations. Officer safety is another major benefit of the device, Chief Jones said.

SOURCE: www.thisweeknews.com 

Polk County Sheriff's Office Adds Robinson R66 to Fleet

The Polk County (FL) Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Air Support Unit took delivery of a Robinson Helicopter Company R66 on April 2. PCSO's new helicopter is the first R66 configured with a Wescam MX-10 EO/IR imaging system and HD infrared sensor. In addition to a standard Spectrolab SX-7 Starsun searchlight system, the helicopter includes an optional Aerocomputers UC-6000 digital mapping system, auxiliary fuel tank, impact resistant windshield, Garmin's G500H TXi 1060 flight display with synthetic vision, and NVG-rated instruments for future NVG certification.

PCSO Air Support flies 1,100 hours per year on average. Located between Orlando and Tampa, the department provides air support for every law enforcement agency in its 2,000-square-mile county and surrounding counties. "Having a robust aviation unit is critical to our mission of keeping people safe," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "We are thrilled to add the Robinson R66 turbine helicopter to our aviation fleet. Not only is this aircraft a great asset to law enforcement, it allows us to cost effectively support and protect our citizens better than other options out there."

SOURCE: www.verticalmag.com 

Enter the 2021 Air Beat Magazine Photo Contest Today

The 2021 Air Beat magazine photo contest is open for submissions from now until June 30. Photographers are invited to submit as many public safety aviation-related images they would like for a chance to win a GoPro HERO9 Black camera. The more photos each photographer submits, the greater their chances of winning. The grand prize will be awarded at the General Membership Meeting at APSCON 2021 in New Orleans, LA. The winner is not required to be present.

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 30, 2021; entries are being accepted at www.airbeatmagazine.com. Please direct submission questions to zack@wrightgrp.com.

MSP Uses Thermal Imaging to Find 78 - Year - Old

The Michigan State Police (MSP) Aviation Unit found a missing 78-year-old man in late April using thermal imaging. The man, dealing with early onset dementia, left his home in 30-degree weather and didn't return for several hours. "We knew we needed to search and find him as quickly as possible, because he was not going to survive the evening," MSP Lieutenant Duwayne Robinson said. Using the thermal imager, the responding flight crew spotted the man face down in the woods. "I got a hotspot just inside of the wood line right there out your right door," Robinson said during the operation. "Almost exactly to the west, probably 10-15 yards into the woods there."

The victim's son said his father was still on his property; a spot the son walked past with a flashlight but couldn't see his dad because of the tall grass. Police K-9s also failed to find the victim. "If the Michigan State Police would not have had this technology on the helicopter, and it had not been available to us, the police would not have located [him] and he would have died because of hypothermia," the family said in a statement.

SOURCE: www.wsbt.com 

Man Gets Probation, Fine for Hitting Police Helicopter With UAS

A Hollywood man was sentenced on April 12 to probation and fined $500 for recklessly operating an unmanned aircraft that crashed into a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter and forced an emergency landing last September. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in January to a misdemeanor charge of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft. U.S. prosecutors said this is the first time the unmanned aircraft charge has been deployed.

During the early morning hours of Sept. 18, 2020, LAPD officers were dispatched on a burglary call to a Hollywood pharmacy. They requested air support. As an LAPD helicopter approached the pharmacy, the pilot saw a drone and attempted to evade it. The drone struck the helicopter, forcing the pilot to initiate an emergency landing. The drone damaged the helicopter's nose, antenna and bottom cowlings, according to court papers.

SOURCE: www.dailynews.com 

Two Coastal Washington Police Departments Embrace UAS

Two law enforcement agencies in Pacific County, WA, are rapidly ramping up use of unmanned aircraft systems to assist citizens in need and provide a safer working environment for officers. The Pacific County Sheriff's Office and Shoalwater Bay Police Department (SWBPD) have both ventured into UAS use. Each has a certified drone pilot, and the agencies train together, along with the South Beach Regional Fire Authority, to build operational expertise. They meet several times a year, and each pilot practices independently several times per month.

SWBPD purchased its first UAS in July 2019 to help with search and rescue and perform water rescues. The UAS can fly over water and drop an inflatable floatation device to save a drowning victim's life or keep an eye on victims until a rescue team can arrive. The unit now operates four UAS. The agency's DJI Mavic Pro was funded with a donation from the Shoalwater Bay Casino, and its DJI Mavic Dual Enterprise was bought via the county's emergency management department.

SOURCE: www.chinookobserver.com 

Third Enstrom 480B Delivered to Botswana Police

Africa's Botswana Police Service Air Support Branch recently received its third and final Enstrom 480B helicopter from Safomar Aviation. The first aircraft, BPS-11, was delivered in November 2020 and is in operation. "The project has been facilitated by the Safomar Group of companies, offering the Botswana Police Service Air Support a turnkey solution," Safomar officials said in a press release. "This included the aircraft type acquisition to mission equipment selection and integration, maintenance support services, spares support and supply and pilot and engineer training." Botswana Police Service pilots received training on the type in South Africa.

Once in service, the upgraded Enstrom 480Bs will be used for crime prevention, wildlife conservation, command and control and search and rescue, as well as training. The new helicopters are customized to the Botswana Police Service specifications and include navigation and communication equipment, cargo slinging and light emergency medical systems. Apart from specialist police duties, the aircraft can be quickly configured for the passenger role and carry three to five people. Australia's Trakka Systems is supplying A800 searchlights and TC-300S multi-sensor cameras for the helicopters.

SOURCE: www.defenceweb.co.za 

Broward County Uses Thermal Imager to Nab Two Criminals

The Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Office is crediting its thermal imaging technology for helping arrest one man charged with repeatedly firing a stolen gun and another who tossed two duffel bags of drugs onto the roof of his home in early April. The department was first alerted to the 47- and 44-year-old men by ShotSpotter alerts. A Broward Sheriff's helicopter crew then used the thermal imager to pinpoint the perpetrators' location. "Our tactical flight officer got the alert on ShotSpotter, recognized there was a shooting going on in the community," officials said.

No one was injured by the gunfire, but the helicopter's heat-sensitive infrared camera showed one of the men running in the darkness with a handgun and tossing it in bushes, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office TFO Oscar Gonzalez. "He nonchalantly walked away, went about two to three houses away to the west, jumped a fence and tried to mingle in with guys in front of the house," Gonzalez said. "We directed our ground units, which were moving in at that time, they made contact with him [and] he was detained."

SOURCE: www.orlandosentinel.com 

Dubai Police Aviation Officer Named UAE Astronaut

Mohammed Al Mulla, head of training for the Dubai Police Air Wing, was selected in early April to represent the United Arab Emirates as an astronaut. Al Mulla obtained a commercial pilot's license from the Australian Civil Aviation Authority at the age of 19 and became the youngest pilot for the Dubai Police. He set another record, becoming the youngest trainer in the organization at the age of 28. He has previously received the Bravery Medal from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Commander in Chief Award for the Best Officer in a Specialized Field, in addition to the Dubai Police Global Excellence Award.

SOURCE: www.gulfbusiness.com 

Las Vegas Police Holds UAS Program Media Demonstration

The Las Vegas (NV) Metropolitan Police Department recently showed off its unmanned aircraft program for local media, highlighting the difference UAS are making to help the department document crimes and save lives. The department launched its UAS program in 2017, and Sergeant Brad Cupp said the unit's first mission was historic. The department used a UAS to document the scene of the Oct. 1 shooting across from Mandalay Bay.

Cupp oversees the small UAS program through Las Vegas's Technical Operations Section. Under his watch, the unit now includes 10 detectives trained and certified with FAA Part 107 drone operator credentials. The unit typically documents homicide scenes and deadly car crashes. On occasion, the UAS assist on officer-involved shootings or SWAT operations. Cupp says the drones limit danger for officers on the ground and in the air.

SOURCE: www.ktnv.com 

Michigan Police Helicopter Helps Seize Guns

A Michigan State Police (MSP) helicopter helped troopers on the ground locate numerous firearms, including an AR-15-type rifle, after an April 2 gunfire report in Flint. MSP Secure City Patrol troopers first reported about 21 gunshots while on a traffic stop. Trooper 1, assigned to assist troopers in Flint, was flying overhead at the time. The crew identified several people running from a vehicle toward a Flint residence. Troopers aboard the helicopter tracked the assailants' movements with thermal imaging and radioed troopers on the ground. "They’re hopping fences," a trooper says in a state police video. "They dropped a gun over the fence, a long gun."

Troopers on the ground responded to the area and saw several people with guns in their hands, one of whom ran from the scene carrying an AR-15-style rifle. Others at the scene placed their guns on the ground as requested. Troopers recovered the assault rifle, which had been hidden in a residential backyard. "With the help of Trooper 1, everyone was detained and questioned about the shots fired and illegally-possessed firearms," Lieutenant Lizabeth Rich said. "This investigation led to the seizure of several firearms and 60 rounds of ammunition." Rich said several other subjects were arrested at the scene. No one was injured by the gunfire.

SOURCE: www.mlive.com 

South Africa Police Service Uses UAS to Monitor Livestock Theft

The South Africa Police Service (SAPS) confirmed it has "undertaken initial engagements" with the nation's Civil Aviation Authority to use unmanned aircraft systems for law enforcement purposes, specifically to monitor widespread livestock theft in borderlands. Police Minister Bheki Cele said livestock theft has become a considerable problem along the border between South Africa and the mountainous Lesotho kingdom. The department's official statement said, "measures have been put in place to address this matter," and Cele confirmed UAS could be helpful in identifying and apprehending suspects. "Police are cooperating with the private sector in effectively using drone technology on a regular basis," Cele said. "The joint initiative has been successful in recovering stolen stock and effecting arrests in mountainous areas."

SOURCE: www.defenceweb.co.za 

Germany's Bundespolizei Contracts for By - the - Hour Support

The German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) has signed a support-by-hour contract with Safran Helicopter Engines to cover the department"s H120 fleet. The contract formalizes a long-term maintenance and service agreement between the partners to support a total of 11 Arrius 2F engines. The Bundespolizei currently operates 10 H120 helicopters for training missions. This is the second support-by-hour contract Bundespolizei has signed; the first was enacted in July 2012 to cover 36 Arrius 2B2 engines powering H135s operated for emergency medical services and owned by the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.

Bundespolizei operates from 12 bases around Germany. The new contract will be managed by Safran Helicopter Engines Germany, which supports more than 300 operators and almost 2,000 engines in Germany, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Safran"s support program is intended to make engine operating costs predictable, eliminate cash peaks, and allow flexibility for scheduled and unscheduled MRO coverage.

SOURCE: www.newswiretoday.com 

Nassau County Helicopter Helps Arrest Suspected Car Thief

A 30-year-old New York man suspected of stealing a car tried to flee on a bicycle as police and a Nassau County Police Department helicopter pursued him. He was arrested near the Long Beach Bridge on April 14, officers said. Police officials said they initiated the pursuit when they received notification of a stolen vehicle. An officer tried to make a traffic stop, when the car's driver fled. Multiple police units began to search the area for the stolen vehicle, along with the Nassau County Police Department Aviation Unit.

The stolen car was found abandoned, and the driver was seen fleeing on the bicycle. Ground officers arrested the 30-year-old man and charged him with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, third degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and multiple traffic infractions. After arraignment, he was remanded to the Nassau County Jail without bail.

SOURCE: www.liherald.com 

St. Clair Shores Police, Firefighters Deploy UAS

The St. Clair Shores (MI) Police Department has trained eight officers to operate unmanned aircraft one year after submitting a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to launch a drone program in conjunction with the local fire department. Three firefighters have also been trained to fly UAS. Police Sergeant Stephen Stindt, who leads the city's UAS program, said drones are ideal for police and fire operations, including search and rescue, in small communities. "Now it's gotten to the point where the technology is so good that you can fly these things and perform just a myriad of operations," Stindt said.

The City of St. Clair Shores purchased three UAS, each with thermal imaging capabilities. Detective Sergeant Matt McCallister said the $15,100 drones were paid for with the FEMA Port Security Grant, which was awarded to St. Clair Shores in September 2020. The city purchased an Autel Evo II, DJI Mavic II and Mavic Mini 2.

SOURCE: www.candgnews.com 

Highlight Your Aviation Unit in Air Beat

Most articles you read in APSA's Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it's easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It's our editor's job to make you look good, so don’t worry if you're not a writer.) Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we'd love to hear from you. Email Lisa Wright at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA's networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation. Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. We would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during March 2021:

Corporate Members:

AERO Specialties - ID
QAI Aerospace - PA

Individual Members:

Clark Austin, Illinois (IL) State Police
Steven Brewster, Kern County (CA) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit
Flavio C Portela, Federal District Fire Brigade - BRAZIL (DF)
Joseph Chabot, Kansas City (MO) Police Department
Brett Degenhardt, New South Wales (NSW) Police Aviation Command
Tony Doughty, Washington State (WA) Patrol Aviation Unit
Michael Flick, DoS (FL)
Paul Follis, Houston (TX) Police Department Air Support Division
Jonathan Gordon, SABLE - Wilmington (NC) Police Department
Jonathan Hess, Kansas (MO) City Police Department
Christine Hogan, Dale County (GA) Sheriff Department
Steven Jessee, New Hanover County (NC) Sheriff's Office
Jessica Johnson, Prince George's County (MD) Police Department
Keith Kelley, Athens-Clarke County (GA) Police
Ray Kelly, America's Finest Foundation (FL)
Shane Kisling, St. Lucie County (FL) Sheriff's Office
David Lash, PA Office of Attorney General (PA)
Houshawn LeGrand, San Diego (CA) Police Dept
Thomas Macchia, Charlotte County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Martin Machado, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air Support Unit
Shahanshah Manzoor, Simpliv LLC (CA)
Nicholas Mercurio, United States Border Patrol (AZ)
Karl Moore, Civil Air Patrol (WA)
Caleb Murphy, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air Support Unit
Darren Neuman, MN DNR Forestry (MN)
David Poirrier, Baton Rouge (LA) Police Department Air Support
Jeff Quale, US Border Patrol (AZ)
Robert Rowe, Pennsylvania (PA) Office of Attorney General
Joel Shreenan, Civil Air Patrol (GA)
Carl Wydrzynski, Ocean County (NJ) Sheriff Office
Shawn Young, Erie County (PA) Sheriff's Office