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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.

Two Conferences, One Location: APSA Education Heads to Reno

The Airborne Public Safety Association proudly presents the best in manned and unmanned public safety aviation education and networking, all in one location!  APSCON 2022 and APSCON Unmanned 2022 (formerly Public Safety Drone Expo) will take place concurrently in Reno, NV the week of July 25-30. Conducted as separate educational events with a shared exhibit hall, you now have access to industry-leading public safety aviation training, products and services in one location no matter what type of aircraft you operate!

APSCON 2022 and APSCON Unmanned will provide the best in public safety aviation education and training though conference courses and classes, presented by subject matter experts from our industry. And the exhibit hall is a great place to check out the latest, cutting-edge technology for public safety aviation while networking with your peers. Exhibitors will showcase their products and services to aviation unit decision-makers and end users, while creating an exceptional learning environment in one central location. And don't forget the outstanding social/networking events sponsored by our generous corporate supporters.

Make plans now for a week of public safety aviation education and training. Visit our website for full details and registration. See you in Reno! 

APSA Awards & Scholarships: Submission Deadline Extended to May 15

Help us recognize an APSA member for their contributions to public safety aviation or your child for their academic excellence. The APSA awards are an annual tradition that recognize those individuals whose personal efforts or actions have perpetuated the professionalism and advancement of public safety aviation. Don't miss these great opportunities ... they only come around once a year!

The awards that APSA presents annually are:

• Robert L. Cormier Award
• Captain 'Gus' Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award
• Technical Specialist Award 
• Safety Award
• Fixed-Wing Operator Award
• Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) Award
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Award

Additionally, APSA provides eighteen (18) scholarships totaling $44,000 to recognize the academic excellence of our members' children. APSA funds 12 regional scholarships, which provide $2,500 to each recipient. The remaining 6 scholarships, like our awards, are funded through the generosity of some very special APSA supporters, providing $1,500 to $2,500 to each recipient.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the annual General Membership Meeting during APSCON 2022 on Thursday, July 28. Award winners will be honored at the APSCON 2022 Awards Reception on Friday, July 29. The deadline for receipt of award nominations and scholarship applications is extended to May 15, 2022….so don’t delay.  Nominate or apply today!

For more information about our Awards and Scholarships Program, or to submit award nominations and scholarship applications, visit the APSA website. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach.

Safety Leadership: APSA Seeks Safety Program Manager

The Airborne Public Safety Association is in search of a new APSA Safety Program Manager. APSA is requesting proposals from individuals or entities to provide comprehensive safety programming to public safety aviation agencies, personnel and managers as part of the ongoing APSA Safety Program. This is an exciting safety leadership opportunity. If you’re interested, the deadline for inquiries and submissions is Friday, May 13, so don’t delay.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the contracted APSA Safety Program Manager include developing an annual strategic plan regarding aviation safety for members and their agencies. The candidate will work with the APSA Training Program Manager on the presentation of safety education at APSA training events including, but not limited to, the annual conference, safety seminars, safety stand-tos and on-the-road courses with emphasis on current trends in aviation safety. The Safety Manager will moderate APSA's Safety Online Group bimonthly meetings, as well as other responsibilities that can be found here. 

Any questions regarding this RFP should be sent to Dan Schwarzbach, APSA CEO/Executive Director by May 13. APSA is an equal opportunity employer.

APSA Hires New Training Program Manager

On March 30, APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby advised that after 10 years in the position, he was ready to move to the next chapter of his life.  Don graciously agreed to stay through the end of August to get us through APSCON 2022.  Don has provided a decade of unparalleled public safety aviation education and training for thousands, and for that we owe him a debt of gratitude.

As fate would have it, one of the people on Don’s short list of possible replacements was available and interested.  APSA is pleased to announce the hiring of longtime aviation training stalwart Terry Palmer as our next Training Program Manager.  Terry is currently training with Don and will be by his side throughout APSCON, learning the intricacies of the APSA education and training program.  Stop by the training office during APSCON to thank Don and wish him well, and give Terry a hearty welcome.

Added Locations: NIST's UAS Standard Test Methods Training Courses Offered Through APSA

APSA is offering both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Basic and Advanced sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Courses. In both courses, attendees will learn how to fabricate apparatuses, conduct trials, and embed them into their own training and credentialing programs.

The Basic Course covers two of the four different NIST “test lanes”: Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (Part 107 qualification) and Open Test Lane.  In addition, everyone who successfully completes the course will have the opportunity to become an APSA Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (BPERP) flight evaluation proctor.

The Advanced Course addresses managing the NIST obstructed and confined test lanes, night operations, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and embedding apparatus within scenarios. Ideally, attendees will have previously completed the APSA NIST Basic sUAS Standard Test Methods Proctor Training Course.

Both courses consist of 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction and evaluation at a cost of $575. Upcoming NIST courses scheduled to date are:

Basic Courses

• May 11-13: Tempe, AZ
• May 13-15: Spokane County, WA 
• June 3-5: Pasco County, FL
• August 26-28: Snohomish, WA
• September 16-18: Shelby, NC
• October 6-8: Fort Wayne, IN

Advanced Courses

• October 7-9: Creve Coeur, MO
• October 27-29: Niceville, FL
• December 9-11: Grand Forks, ND
   

The NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program.  Attendees to these courses 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.  Register today!

If your agency is interested in hosting one of these courses and receiving a free set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby.

Kentucky State Police, SAR Teams Perform First Hoist Rescue

The Kentucky State Police Aviation Unit, along with the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team and Red STAR Wilderness EMS, used a helicopter to perform a first-of-its-kind rescue in the Red River Gorge last month. A 911 call came in around 10:30 p.m. about a pair of canoers who were overdue in their return. Conditions that day were tough with below-freezing temperatures, heavy precipitation and rugged terrain.

"Wolfe County Search and Rescue had been engaged in a very grueling overnight search for those two individuals, and they were assisted by Kentucky State Police, who have specialized sensing equipment on their helicopters that can pick up heat signatures," said Red STAR Wilderness EMS coordinator David Fifer. Search teams found the couple the next morning. "They were on a riverbank, beneath a probably 250- or possibly 300-foot cliff," Fifer said. It was soon determined that a hoist rescue was required to retrieve the canoeists given the circumstances.

Kentucky State Police just installed a hoist on their aircraft a few months ago. Two paramedics assisted KSP with the rescue while the helicopter hovered approximately 200 feet above the Red River. The rescue was a success, and it marked the first hoist rescue for the Kentucky State Police Aviation Unit. Watch the rescue here. 

Source:  www.kentucky.com

Vita Inclinata CEO Hand Delivers American-Made SAR Tech To Ukraine

APSA member Vita Inclinata CEO Caleb Carr hand-delivered his company’s donated Vita Rescue System (VRS) for helicopter rescue load stabilization into the active Ukrainian war zone on April 13, 2022. With support of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service, a Russian Mil Mi-8 twin-turbine helicopter was provided to conduct VRS medevac training in Uzhgorod. As a result, Ukrainian Special Aviation Unit crews can now airlift wounded civilians and warfighters using a helicopter hoist in two minutes versus the typical 20-minute process, a capability the Ukrainians have not been trained in before. Due to this engagement, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine has formally requested 30 VRS systems to extend this medevac capability to their fire and rescue units on the eastern front. 

Training the Ukrainian medevac crews took place approximately 20 miles from active bombing in eastern Ukraine and in Russian contested airspace. In just under four hours, Caleb introduced the rescue technology and trained crews to conduct high-risk evacuation missions within a war zone. Vita’s mission is to provide technology that saves lives. Carr put that mission to the test, not only to aid Ukraine but also in the hope of inspiring other company leaders and the U.S. defense industry to take action and provide Ukraine with more medical, protective, and rescue equipment. A short video of this mission was can be seen here. 

“Every defense organization, company, and individual has a responsibility to support people in need. If we can insert technology in Ukraine to help win this fight and save civilians’ lives, let’s do it! There’s a lot of bureaucracy involved, but you need to seize the opportunity and run with it. That’s exactly what Vita is doing and how we executed our mission to Ukraine,” said Carr.

Source: vitatech.co

Captured A Great Shot Lately? Enter Air Beat's Photo Contest

APSA invites you to enter its annual photo contest that will run April 15 through June 15. The more photos you submit, the greater chances of winning. The winning photo will be revealed on July 28 during APSCON 2022 in Reno, NV, with the winning photographer receiving a GoPro HERO10 Black camera. You do not need to be present to win.

To be eligible, the photographer must be an APSA member in good standing. Photos submitted should have a public safety aviation element (aircraft, crew, mission, training, etc.) and include a photo caption of less than 25 words. To submit your photos or learn more, please visit www.airbeatmagazine.com.

ASTREA To Add New Bell Aircraft to Firefighting Fleet

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last month to strengthen aerial fire protection in the region by approving the purchase of a new twin-engine firefighting helicopter and adding two additional firefighting helicopters to a firefighting response agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric.

The new Subaru Bell 412 EPX helicopter will be the first twin-engine in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department ASTREA (Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies) fleet. A twin-engine helicopter is safer, can fly at night, hoist more weight, carry more water and reach more locations to pick up water.

“The reality is we need a twin-engine firefighting helicopter in our county firefighting arsenal. This has been a long-desired goal of making sure as a region, we’re better prepared to fight wildfires,” said Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher at the meeting. “We know over time we will need more than one but moving forward now with one {aircraft} is the right step as we confront the realities of much more devastating risk of wildfires than we’ve seen in the past and we upgrade our fleet and air support arsenal.”

ASTREA’s firefighting and search and rescue helicopter fleet now consists of three Bell 205 helicopters built in the 1960s and 1970s. During wildfires, CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Protection District crew the helicopters, except for the pilot, for water drops. Eventually, all the helicopters will be replaced with twin-engine models. “It’s the next generation for ASTREA,” said ASTREA Sgt. Gavin Lanning. After a purchase is made, it typically takes 18 months for the aircraft to be delivered.

Source: County of San Diego Communications Office

APSA Safety Stand-To Headed to Michigan

APSA conducts virtual Safety Stand-Tos online as well as in-person Safety Stand-Tos on an on-request basis for members at their facilities. The upcoming Safety Stand-To schedule is:

IN-PERSON | Michigan State Police | May 18, 2022 
VIRTUAL | Canadian | September 28, 2022
VIRTUAL | Natural Resources | October 26, 2022

To schedule a Safety Stand-To in your area, please contact APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby at Droby@publicsafetyaviation.org or 717-870-9603.
 

Monthly Webinar Training Series Free for Members

As part of the education and training program for 2022, APSA is conducting a series of webinars, one a month with the exception of June-August. Recognizing the need to provide training to those members who may not be able to travel to in-person APSA events, these webinars continue the series of live, online training originally brought about by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled for Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm EST, the upcoming schedule and topics in this series are:

May 19: Critical Incident Reviews | Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, Rose Lopez, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

September 15:  Using HUMS to Optimize Maintenance & Safety | Ronnie Reis, GPMS International

Registration for these webinars is open. To register, simply click on the webinar(s) you’d like to participate in and complete the registration form. These webinars are offered free of charge to APSA members. 

Interested in sponsoring one or more of these webinars and marketing to the participants?  Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 for details.

Let's Chat: Join APSA's 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 meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups 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 11, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)

Safety Officers: Friday, May 27, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Maintenance: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Natural Resources: Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

SAR: Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Police Aviation Conference in Europe Next Month

PAvCon Europe 2022 will be held June 6-8 in Weiner Neustadt, Austria. PAvCon Europe provides an opportunity for officers of all airborne law enforcement ranks to meet officers from other countries and cultures informally and to see and understand the newest technologies.

The first day will be a training day, led by TFO/Pilot Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Officer Harald Brink of the Dutch Police Air Support Unit. The other two days of the event will be the exhibition and conference. Education provided at the conference will be a broad mix of emergency services and industry experience drawn from across the world. For more information and to register, visit http://www.pavconeurope.eu.
 

Philadelphia Man Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Shining Laser into Police Helicopter

Raji Yusuf, 36, of Philadelphia was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of supervised release for shining a laser pointer into a Philadelphia Police Department helicopter while it was airborne and for violating the terms of his supervised release.

In December 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of aiming a laser at an aircraft. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred in June of that year when two police officers were operating a helicopter as part of a regular nightly patrol. While in flight in the area of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, their helicopter was struck multiple times with a high intensity green laser. The laser flashes illuminated the cockpit, causing the officers to temporarily see spots in their vision.

After regaining normal vision, the officers pinpointed the source of the laser on the ground. The aircrew saw a male wearing a blue shirt and jeans, later identified as the defendant, with the laser pointer. Officers on the ground took the man into custody. At the time, Yusuf was on federal supervision for a 2016 conviction for trafficking firearms; accordingly, federal authorities arrested him a few days later for violating his supervised release.

“Today’s sentencing shows that there are real consequences for pointing a laser at any aircraft,” said Joseph Harris, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Northeastern Region. “DOT-OIG will continue working with our federal and state law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to vigorously pursue anyone who chooses to compromise the safety of the Nation’s airspace.”

Source: justice.gov

Florida Man Rescued by Seminole Sheriff's Aircrew

A Florida man was hoisted to safety after he fell out of a canoe and became hopelessly lost in dense forest for two days. The 39-year-old was out on a canoe with two pals when it suddenly capsized and the trio tumbled into the water, Lake County Sheriff’s Office said. While his friends were able to climb back in, the man couldn’t make it to the canoe and instead swam to a nearby shoreline. He yelled to his friends that he would meet them at their launch point. However, he never made it back and lost his way in a thick forest, officials said.

The agency launched a search operation that included K-9 and helicopter units. After roughly 40 hours in the punishing wilderness, the lost man was located and an aircrew from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit was called to lift him out of the remote area. Video can be seen here.  Officials credited volunteers and multiple agencies for the successful rescue.

Source:  nypost.com

Utah Highway Patrol To Add Helicopter for Southern Region

The Utah Department of Public Safety and Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) along with other leaders in Southern Utah are working to improve response times for remote locations by adding a new helicopter in St. George. UHP will add a third helicopter to its fleet and it will be based in southern Utah by this summer.

“A few years back we received funding from the legislature and bought a new one, but we’ve been working with what is now a 25-year-old helicopter as our secondary,” said UHP Major Beau Mason. “We’ll have two full-time pilots, TFOs and a mechanic based out of St. George,” Mason said. This will improve search and rescue and give two bases on opposite ends of the state to lessen response times, he commented.

“Having that helicopter and being able to lift off and be in rural areas like Cedar City or Zion National Park in a matter of 15-20 minutes in comparison to the two hours it takes now from Salt Lake, will be a huge game changer,” Mason said.

Source: abc4.com

Law Enforcement Agencies Hold Annual Emergency Preparedness Training at Rose Bowl Stadium

Helicopter aircrews from more than 30 law enforcement agencies in California converged at the community field alongside the Rose Bowl Stadium for an annual emergency preparedness training exercise on April 28, which was hosted by the Pasadena (CA) Police Department.

The annual training allows diverse agencies the opportunity to compare protocols. “We all do things a little bit different, but similar,” Lt. Mike Ingram of PPD’s Air Operations Unit said. “So being able to talk the same language, work through our processes to make sure our plans are appropriate and safe is a good way for us to vet what we do. There are always lessons to be learned.”

The 31st annual training had been postponed for two years in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. “We took the two years off,” Pasadena Police Department spokesperson Lt. Bill Grisafe said, “and I think people were very excited about getting out and doing this training this year. The training was very well attended and appreciated.” Grisafe also thanked PPD’s Air Operations Manager Lt. Brad May and Officer Steve Thurston, who has run the training program for the last 30 years.

Source: pasadenanow.com

Last Chance to Enter Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards

The tactical use of airborne thermal imaging can be one of the most powerful tools available to law enforcement. The Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards, returning this year to APSCON, strive to recognize state and local law enforcement agencies for their contributions to public safety through the use of tactical, airborne thermal imagery. Help us honor the very best in airborne law enforcement use of EO/IR technology by entering.

Each year, Teledyne FLIR asks law enforcement to submit their video footage shot during rescues, pursuits, apprehensions and surveillance operations. Entries should highlight the tactical use of EO/IR technology and the importance of the airborne imaging system in the successful completion of the mission. The deadline for video submissions is May 13, 2022, and you can enter here. Multiple entries from each department and airborne team are allowed. Include a brief outline of the incident and list the name, rank and position of each crewmember via the online submission form. All types of infrared and daylight videos will be considered for this award.

Footage from each winning video will be shown as part of the Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards ceremony, as well as highlights from all submitting agencies. Awards will be presented at APSCON 2022 on Thursday, July 28 in Reno, NV.

Source: Teledyne FLIR

Fontana Purchases Used Police Helicopter

The Fontana (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit will purchase a previously owned helicopter to bolster public safety and fire and emergency medical services. Owned by San Diego-based Shier Aviation, the model AS350 B2 aircraft is already is outfitted with law enforcement equipment and will join two Robinson R66 helicopters currently in the city’s fleet. Firefighting gear capable of carrying a Bambi Bucket, or 216 gallons of water weighing 2,100 pounds, will be installed on the newest copter.

City leaders unanimously approved the $2.8 million purchase on April 12 for the Air Support Unit, using funds it received through the federal Coronavirus aid package. The AS350 B2 will be delivered immediately. FPD put its first helicopter in service a decade ago.

Source: sbsun.com

Dorset Police Officer Lost Control of Crashed Drone, Report Finds

A Dorset Police Department officer who was operating a drone in November 2020 lost control of it before it crashed into a house, a report has revealed. The drone was being used at 400 feet at a time when wind gusts exceeded those forecast and were in excess of the manufacturer's limit.

The U.K.’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said one of the drone's two batteries was disconnected shortly after takeoff, which reduced its maximum speed. The report found people "could have been seriously injured" by the drone's propellers had they been on the first floor balcony of the house it hit. The drone advised the pilot to "fly with caution" but stronger than expected winds meant he could not fly it back to him, the AAIB found. There was also no wind speed display on the app being used by the officer to control the drone so he was unaware it was over the limit. After communication with the pilot had been lost, the drone entered an ‘autoland’ mode but it was unable to stop itself from hitting the wall of the house.

The AAIB made three safety recommendations to the drone's manufacturer, DJI, and one to the Civil Aviation Authority over flying guidance. While there were no formal recommendations given to Dorset Police, a number of learning points were implemented, including ensuring that all pilots have up-to-date training and the introduction of a buddy check system.

Source: bbc.co.uk

Aircraft Maintainers: A Vital Part of Aviation Safety

Did you know that May 24 is Aviation Maintenance Technician Day? AMT Day recognizes the achievements of Charles E. Taylor, known as the “father of aircraft maintenance” who built and maintained the engine that was used to power the Wright brothers' first controlled flight. It is also a day to honor aviation maintenance professionals who keep our skies safe today. 

In 2007, a United States House of Representatives resolution was introduced to establish National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, honoring the birthdate of Taylor. In 2008, the resolution passed, and National AMT Day was officially in place to bring awareness to the contributions of aviation maintenance technicians everywhere.

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.
 

Bulloch Sheriff's Remote Pilots Assist Emanuel County Capture Violent Fugitive

Emanuel County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched on April 13 after a 911 call that stated there had been a fight and two people were stabbed. Upon arrival, they found a 41-year-old female and 22-year-old male, mother and son, with stab wounds. Both victims were treated by EMS and transported to trauma centers.

After interviewing witnesses, the 45-year-old suspect was soon identified. Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office was requested to bring their drone with a FLIR system. Within 30 minutes after Bulloch County deputies deployed the drone, the man was located in the woods and arrested on aggravated assault charges. Watch the video here. 

Sheriff Brown thanked assisting agencies and the UAV team for their quick response. All members of this team of drone pilots undergo a certification process and volunteer to be part of a 24-hour on-call list. Most of them are already on-call for their regular jobs, and take this additional assignment on a voluntary basis.

Source: AllOnGeorgia.com

Laser Strikes on Aircraft Are on Pace For a New Record This Year

New numbers from the Federal Aviation Administration last month show incidents of people hitting aircraft with lasers, potentially blinding pilots, are on pace for a new record. The number of reported laser strikes jumped by 41 percent last year with California, Texas and Florida leading the nation in incidents.

The rise prompted an FAA alert and a plea for people to stop aiming handheld laser pointers at aircraft. Forty-seven pilots reported injures from the strikes last year. The lasers can cause temporary blindness, and in some cases, lasting eye injuries.

FAA data suggests the number of reported laser strikes in 2022 is on track to surpass last year's all-time high. During the first quarter of this year, the FAA received 2,275 reported laser strikes, up from 1,944 in 2021. The FAA thinks part of the reason these strikes are surging the way they are is that laser pointers are powerful and cheap.

Pilots are trained to look away from the lasers if they see a strike coming. Last year, Washington State Patrol pilots were first in the nation to test new protective glasses developed by the Air Force Research Lab, aimed at filtering out the laser light to reduce the impact of these strikes.

Source: cbsnews.com

FAA Enables Pilots To Track Medical Applications in Real-Time

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has added a new feature to MedXPress that allows pilots to track the status of their medical certificates online throughout the application and review process. Prior to adding this new feature, pilots had to call the Office of Aerospace Medicine to check their application status.

“If you can track where your ridesharing car is or the status of a company delivering your package, pilots should be able to see online the real-time status of their application,” said Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup. “We will continue to explore how we can be more transparent with the aviation community.”

As soon as an application is submitted, it will appear in the pilot’s MedXPress profile. Status updates will change as the application moves through the FAAʼs review process. If an application is deferred or denied, the applicant will receive detailed information through the mail. The certification process itself does not change. Additional information regarding the FAAʼs medical certification process is available here. 

Source: FAA Press Release

Tuscaloosa County To Replace Helicopter Unit with Drones

Big changes are ahead for one unit inside the Tuscaloosa County (AL) Sheriff’s Office. Administrators call it a cost saving measure that also allows them to be more flexible and respond faster to certain emergencies. The Sheriff’s Office is grounding its helicopters and replacing them with drones. Chief Loyd Baker said operating and maintaining the two helicopters cost several hundred thousand dollars a year. Depending on the size, the agency can buy a drone for $4,000-$6,000 each.

Baker explained that there was also a duplication of services with the Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD) also having helicopters. The Sheriffs Office is giving its two helicopters and equipment to TPD. The Sheriff’s Office will be able to call on TPD to use a helicopter when needed.

Deputies are currently training to fly the drones. The department’s SWAT Team and the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit are also getting drones. A brand-new mobile drone command center was built for the switchover. Baker said the deputies could use drones the same way as helicopters to find people.

Source: wbrc.com

Research Indicates Florida Government Drone Programs Need More Time To Transition to Blue UAS

Research conducted by the Airborne International Response Team (AIRT) has found that Florida public safety agencies and other government entities who operate drones need additional time to comply with the new Florida approved drone manufacturers list, referred to as Blue UAS.

During the first two weeks of April, AIRT conducted a survey through the DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Coordination Group (FLOGRU) of 60 government entities that operate drones. According to the data, 95% of respondents (58 out of 60) said they believe recent changes to Florida Statue 934.50 by the Florida Legislator will have a negative impact on their organization’s drone program over the foreseeable future. And, 87% of those respondents are predicting an “extremely negative impact” due to the change in legislation.

In 2021, the Florida Legislator approved Senate Bill 44 that instructed the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) to create an “Approved Drone Manufacturers” list.  That list was published on December 31, 2021, causing great concern among Florida public safety agencies who had invested heavily in small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) manufactured by DJI – a Chinese company that is the undisputed global leader in the sUAS market, but is perceived as a security threat by federal government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense.

According to AIRT’s research, 92% of Florida government drone programs are currently operating DJI drones as part of their fleet. Autel, another Chinese manufacturer and the second-ranked sUAS manufacturer based on public safety fleet composition according to last year’s research, is used by 22% of Florida government agencies. Neither DJI nor Autel are presently listed as options on the Florida DMS Approved Drone Manufacturers list. 

Source: AIRT

Air Beat Would Like To Feature Your Aviation Unit; Contact Us

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 us 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 April 2022:

Corporate Members:

Cognyte
Jet Shades LLC
Kodiak Aircraft Co.
Lunsford Aviation
Overwatch Imaging

Individual Members:

Stephen Akacsos, Hayward (CA) Police Department
Jamie Allen, Atlantic City (NJ) Fire Department
Paul Apolinar, Phoenix (AZ) Police Air Support Unit
Everardo Arredondo, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Robert Beadel, Tarrant County (TX) Constable Pct 4
Zack Bieker, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Avanti Borucki, Civil Air Patrol / USAF Retired (NJ)
Otoniel Boudet, Dallas (TX) Police Department
Todd Bridges, St. Johns County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Gabriel Cabrera, DFW Airport Police Department (TX)
Lee Conrad, Saskatoon Police Service Air Support Unit
Pepper Cook, Alaska Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section | Alaska State Troopers
Michael Cook, Department of Public Safety (AK)
Kenneth Coon, Washington County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Robby Cordobes, Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department
Zachary Cryer, DFW Airport Police Department (TX)
Tim Cwik, Atlantic Cape (NJ) Community College
George DeCock, Airborne Technologies GmbH
EH DeWit, Air Support Unit Dutch Police (ZH)
Michael Estigoy, SkyIMD (MD)
Scott Evans, Atlantic City (NJ) Office of Emergency Management
Michael Famularo, Atlantic City (NJ) Office of Emergency Management
Brian Fitzgerald, Contra Costa County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Mark Fox, MN State Patrol
Dan Gearhart, Smithville Missouri Police Department
Chase Gorey, St. Johns County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Jeff Greene, Santa Barbara (CA) Sheriff's Office
Sarah Grice, Maryland Natural Resources Police
Alex Hadrych, Splendora (TX) Police Department
Marlon Hardin, Splendora (TX) Police Department
Christopher Hartman, West Bloomfield (MI) Police Department
Brandon Heidelberg, Chino (CA) Police Department
Nathanael Ihuillier, Ascension Parish (LA) Sheriff Office
John Izzo, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department | Air Support Division
Eric Jelinski, Saskatoon Police Service Air Support Unit
Robert Kallendorf, Springfield (OH) Township Fire Department
Edward Leon, Atlantic City (NJ) Office of Emergency Management
Robert Long, South Carolina Constable (SLED)
Ed Manhart, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Brandon Mart, City of Oakland (CA)
Ewan Maxwell, New South Wales Police Force Aviation Support Branch
James McCormick, Clarkstown (NY) Police Department
James McLean, Williamson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Gary Miranda, ABLE (NC)
Cameron Mitchell, Hays County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Michael Mitchell, Washington County (OR) Sheriff's Office
Paul Munding, Clarkstown (NY) Police Department
Earl Nattrass, California (CA) Highway Patrol
Thomas Novell, Contra Costa County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Jacob Oestreich, EPE
Thomas Olson, Washington County (OR) Sheriff's Office
Tim O'Malley, San Diego (CA) Fire-Rescue Department
Daniel Provencio, DFW Airport Police Department (TX)
Brian Pry, Chino (CA) Police
Ehren Rauch, Santa Barbara (CA) Sheriff's Dept.
Clay Regan, Midlothian (TX) Police Department
Steven Richter, West Bloomfield (MI) Police Department
William Rimel, Boone County (MO) Fire Protection District
Dana Robinson, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department Helicopter Division
Ruben Robles, Tucson (AZ) Fire Department
Michael Ruszkowski, Clarkstown (NY) Police Department
Christopher Ryan, Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Gregory Setla, Michigan State Police | Aviation Section
Sam Shurley, Austin (TX) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Jeff Singer, Colorado Center of Excellence Advanced Technology
Andrew Skaggs, Tucson (AZ) Fire Department
James Taggart, Atlantic Cape (NJ) Community College
Keith Thomas, EPE
Paul Titzel, Civil Air Patrol (AZ)
Scott Trosper, Chino (CA) Police Department
Joshua Wells, Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Flight Unit
Larry Whites, Hayward (CA) Police Dept
Matthew Whiting, Monroe County (NY) Sheriff's Office
Sarah Woltmann, Atlantic Cape (NJ) Community College
Ronald Womack, Hayward (CA) Police Department
Brian Wood, Washington County (OR) Sheriff's Office
Jaun Zegarra, Orange County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Madeline Zimmerman, University of Vermont

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This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc. (APSA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. APSA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in public safety and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of manned and unmanned aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety operations.

© Copyright 2022 by the Airborne Public Safety Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), its Board of Directors, staff or membership; nor shall their publication imply endorsement on the part of APSA of any content or claims made therein. APSA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and makes no judgment regarding the accuracy of posted information. In no event will APSA be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the publication or any subsequent public distribution thereof.

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