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APSA is now offering three proctor courses based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sUAS Test Methods: Basic, Advanced and Confined. The NIST Test Methods include four different “test lanes”: Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots (BPERP-Part 107 qualification); Open Test Lane; Obstructed Test Lane; and Confined Test Lane. These test methods can be used to evaluate sUAS capabilities and sensor systems, or remote pilot proficiency for credentialing. NIST has created a comprehensive user guide, scoring forms, and apparatus targets that can be printed and placed in the test apparatus buckets.
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. Upcoming courses include:
• March 24-26, 2023 in Cambria County, PA.
The Advanced Course covers the Open and Obstructed Test Lanes. The Open Test Lanes evaluate 5 different flight paths (Position, Traverse, Orbit, Inspect, Recon) to identify objects from safe altitudes in open environments. These tests are scalable for all sizes of aircraft to demonstrate positive control at all times with accurate perches. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting and weather. The Obstructed Test Lanes enable remote pilots to fly safe and repeatable flight paths to inspect objects within close proximity to obstructions. They include a comprehensive set of 5 different tests with increasing difficulty (Perch, Wall, Ground, Alley, Post) that guide remote pilots through a series of 10 positions, orientations, and perches within both the standard test lanes and the operational scenarios embedded with scoring tasks. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting, weather, and access to the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upcoming courses include:
• April 3-5, 2023 in Omaha, NE.
• April 10-12, 2023 in Queen Anne, MD.
• September 20-22, 2023 in Fort Wayne, IN.
The Confined Course covers the Confined Test Lanes, which enable remote pilots to fly safe and repeatable flight paths to inspect objects within confined environments and interior room-to-room searches. They include a comprehensive set of 5 different tests with increasing difficulty (Perch, Wall, Ground, Alley, Post) that guide remote pilots through a series of 10 positions, orientations, and perches within both the standard test lanes and the operational scenarios embedded with scoring tasks. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting, weather, and access to the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upcoming courses include:
• April 6-7, 2023 in Omaha, NE.
• April 13-14, 2023 in Queen Anne, MD.
The NIST sUAS Test Methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program. Attendees to these courses must 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.
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 Terry Palmer.
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APSA held its Rescue Summit 2023 in conjunction with HELI-EXPO 2023 on Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Various presentations by SMEs pertaining to helicopter rescue operations included topics such as balancing hoist operations and training, simulator SAR training, essentials of rotor-flow dynamics, safety and critical incident and accident reviews. Networking opportunities gave everyone throughout the day a chance to interact and learn.
“This is our fifth year hosting this event in person, and it continues to be one of our best attended annual events. We had over 160 attendees this year and expect even more next year in Anaheim,” said Dan Schwarzbach, APSA Executive Director/CEO. “We are quite pleased to be able to bring the vertical lift SAR community together each year and are thankful to our instructors who give their time and expertise to make it a success,” Schwarzbach said.
Special thanks also to these sponsors who made the event possible: Air Rescue Systems, Breeze Eastern, Collins Aerospace, Priority 1 Air Rescue, SkyHook Rescue Systems, Axnes, Airbus, Bell/Aeronautical Accessories, Leonardo Helicopters and HAI.
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In 2021, the Huntington Beach (CA) Police Department signed a $10-million purchase agreement for three MD 530F helicopters equipped with the latest law enforcement technology. HBPD ordered the helicopters to replace its aging fleet of MD 520Ns. The purchase agreement included a full fleet replacement package, which includes MD Helicopters facilitating the sale of the department’s current aircraft, offloading NOTAR specific spares as well as providing a comprehensive training program specifically tailored to the department’s pilots and technicians.
HBPD’s next two aircraft are expected to arrive in the next couple of months. Each helicopter is custom configured with a full law enforcement package, crash resistant fuel tanks, and an advanced NVIS interior designed to enhance safety during nighttime patrol, surveillance and tactical operations. Their upgraded glass cockpit avionics feature the Garmin G500TXi Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert Systems (EICAS), and Garmin GTN 750 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS.
The department’s Air Support Unit was established in 1968 and also contracts with the cities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine. “Airborne law enforcement is critical to public safety,” Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said. “Anybody that’s been a police officer knows there’s nothing more comforting than when you’re out there looking for somebody, or you’re in a situation that’s dangerous, and an airship is there overhead. It’s like the voice of God coming over. I know it’s not the same, but it’s so close, because it gives you comfort, it gives you confidence, it gives you things you can’t do without that airborne law enforcement.”
Some in attendance at delivery event and takeoff at the HBPD heliport called it a bittersweet day. It occurred nearly a year after HBPD Officer Nicholas Vella died in a helicopter crash while responding to a call in Newport Beach. It also came four days after a 3-mile stretch of Beach Boulevard was designated as Nicholas Vella Memorial Highway. “We will forever associate this helicopter with Nick Vella and the tragedy that occurred, but we’re going to use these to enhance public safety here in Huntington Beach,” Parra said.
Source: MD Helicopters and latimes.com
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The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) arguably has one of the largest public safety UAS programs in the country. Last month, Texas DPS achieved a major milestone as it celebrated its 100,000th flight conducted using unmanned aircraft. The 100,000 flights have resulted in some amazing statistics which include 22,000 flight hours, 13,000+ suspects located, 9,000+ arrests and more than 4 million dollars in seized drugs and assets.
In 2017, under the leadership of former Chief Pilot Bill Nabors, the department established policies and procedures for multiple divisions within the agency to utilize UAS. The department quickly put the aircraft to use and has since grown from a small team of remote pilots to over 300 strong. To support ongoing operations, the department has added full-time personnel under the Aircraft Operations Division, including a UAS Captain, Program Manager, Maintenance Coordinator, and two Lieutenants. Further growth is planned in the near future with the addition of full-time remote pilots to support missions along the Texas-Mexico border and at the State Capitol.
TXDPS has learned a lot about conducting UAS operations over the past six years. There have been great successes and failures and has not shied away from learning from both. The department has established strong network connections and collaborations with other agencies and, in January 2023, established the Texas Public Safety UAS Working Group which is a coalition of agencies across the state that operate UAS. TXDPS believes that it takes a community to make this industry stronger, more efficient and safer.
“The Texas DPS UAS team continues to be an industry leader in law enforcement aerial support. The team, under the direction of Program Manager Jason Day and Captain Aaron Fritch, continues to move the program forward with emerging technology on both air support and counter drone capabilities. As The State of Texas continues Operation Lone Star to combat unprecedented numbers of illegal entry, human smuggling, and narcotics trafficking, the UAS team will continue to be a trusted and integral part of the campaign,” said Stacy Holland, Assistant Chief, Aircraft Operations Division.
Source: Texas DPS
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As part of APSA’s education and training program, a series of nine (9) webinars is being provided this year. 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 Eastern, the upcoming schedule and topics in this series are:
- March 30: Counter-Drone Operations; Anthony DeMolina, Tactical Drone Concepts
- April 20: Tactical Training & Simulation; Matt Roberts, FlightSafety International
- May 18: Training Tactical Operations; Nick Minx, Tactical Flying, Inc
Registration for these webinars is open. To register, simply click on the webinar(s) you would 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 addressing the participants? Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 for details.
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Last month, the Orange County (FL) Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Aviation Unit received its customized Bell 407 from completion specialist AeroBrigham. The OCSO’s jurisdiction includes the greater Orlando area.
Components of the installation included a HeliSas autopilot, Garmin avionics, terrain awareness warning system, VisLink HDX 1100 downlink system, L3 Harris MX10 thermal imaging camera, TrakkaBeam A800 searchlight, SpiderTracks X aircraft tracking & flight data monitoring system and Shotover ARS-700C moving map system. An extended instrument panel was installed to accommodate the law enforcement and tactical equipment configuration, as well as the aircraft receiving custom interior and exterior painting.
AeroBrigham provides MRO, completion, and reconfiguration services for helicopters and airplanes. The company is expanding into a 45,000-sq-ft hangar solely dedicated to helicopter support, including paint. The current facility will be dedicated to fixed-wing support.
OCSO’s Aviation Unit began flight operations in the 1950s and it operates a fleet of four helicopters—three Bell 407s and one Bell 206L4. It also flies a Cessna T206H Stationair.
Source: AeroBrigham
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Last month, the New York State Police added six full-time tactical flight officers to the NYSP Aviation Unit. TFOs perform aerial law enforcement missions while the pilots maintain the safe operation of the aircraft.
The TFOs will undergo four weeks of training at Aviation-Albany, where they will learn about aircraft operations, FLIR/camera systems, night vision goggles (NVG) operations, rescue hoist operations, internal/external load crew chief responsibilities, and aerial firefighting operations. Upon completion of the training, the officers will report to their respective stations.
Pictured left to right is Technical Sergeant Atiba Celestine (Lead Instructor), Trooper Dyllan Albiani-Gross, Trooper Gregory Szulis, Trooper Michael Orcutt, Trooper Kevin Aurigema, Trooper Ryan Hogan, Trooper Francis Rush and Major David Kolb, Director of Aviation.
Source: rochesterfirst.com
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from across the State of New York.
In 2022, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 359 search and rescue missions, extinguished 162 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 53 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate nearly 900 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests. "With more people visiting state lands and enjoying New York's myriad, world-class outdoor recreational opportunities, DEC's Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help visitors get outside responsibly and get home safely," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Each day, these highly trained first responders are protecting irreplaceable natural resources and utilizing their expert knowledge of wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, land navigation, law enforcement, and technical rescue techniques to successfully execute critical missions for DEC and our countless local, state, and national partners."
Last month, 13 forest rangers participated in hoist training with New York State Police (NYSP) pilots at Stewart State Forest. Working in conjunction with NYSP, rangers and pilots train together for potential hoist rescue missions. Rangers serve as hoist operators inside the helicopter while lowering rangers to the ground. During the training, rangers tested out different colors to assess visibility of the rangers on the ground so they can better help the pilots locate them during a rescue.
Source: dec.ny.gov
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APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR, natural resource, 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 tpalmer@publicsafetyaviation.org.
The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:
- Safety Officers: Friday, March 17, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
- Natural Resources: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)
- Maintenance: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
- SAR: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
- UAS: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)
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Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) Air 1 was on a scheduled patrol flight last month when a Spokane Valley Police Department deputy attempted to contact an occupied vehicle in a parking lot. The driver fled recklessly, swerving through the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Per Washington state law, deputies were unable to pursue or even get close enough to attempt a PIT maneuver to stop the suspect’s reckless actions for the safety of the public.
Air 1 quickly located the vehicle and provided its real-time location to patrol deputies, who followed at a safe distance, without lights or sirens, and well out of sight. One deputy got into position and successfully deployed spikes trips which caused at least one tire to deflate.
During the approximately 30-minute incident, the suspect drove erratically into oncoming lanes and disobeyed red lights and stop signs during the busy evening commute. Once he and his passenger parked and began to walk away, Air 1 guided deputies to their location. The 36-year-old man was arrested for attempting to elude a police vehicle and reckless endangerment. You can see video of the pursuit from the helicopter here.
Source: Spokane County (WA) Sheriff's Office
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A jail inmate climbed over razor wire earlier last month, only to be rearrested about 10 miles away two weeks later. The man was being supervised while taking out the trash on Feb. 2 when he took off running, hopped over a fence and vanished. On Feb. 14, Calaveras County (CA) Sheriff's Office deputies, probation officers, and members of the United States Marshal Fugitive Task Force were conducting a follow-up investigation for the escaped inmate, Larry Albert McDonald Jr.
As they began searching, the suspect fled from a trailer into a wooded area. A perimeter was established to contain the suspect, and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Air Support was requested. A helicopter equipped with thermal imaging was dispatched to assist. At about 6:27 pm, the helicopter advised ground units they had located a possible heat signature of the suspect. The helicopter directed ground units as they safely collapsed the perimeter. The suspect attempted to maneuver to evade capture, however, the aircraft was able to continually give updates to the deputies. The 41-year-old suspect was taken into custody at about 7:07 pm without incident.
The man was arrested, transported to the county jail and booked. He's facing his original charges, among them lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, as well as several others linked to his escape.
Source: Calaveras County Sheriff's Office
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Police arrested a man accused of drag racing who fled from law enforcement in a high-speed chase Feb. 3. According to the Baton Rouge (LA) Police Department Air Support Unit, officers were called to a busy intersection on reports of a "street takeover" by street car gang "2ActiveBR" shortly before midnight.
One of the cars involved, an orange Dodge Charger, was doing repeated donuts in the intersection while people stood to the side and watched. A BRPD Air Support Unit helicopter followed the Charger away from the intersection as it traveled at an "extremely high rate of speed." Another officer on the ground in a police unit saw the vehicle drive by at over 100 mph through a red light and against oncoming traffic.
The BRPD aircrew followed the Charger and watched it leave the roadway multiple times and hit a sign that belonged to the city of Zachary. The driver ultimately stopped at an intersection and was arrested. The 23-year-old driver will face charges of aggravated flight from an officer, obstruction of justice, criminal damage to property, hit and run, and drag racing.
The man's car didn't have a license plate on it. Arrest records show that he used an automated license plate cover. It's a device that flips over the plate, usually by pushing a button, in order to make the car harder to be detected by police.
Source: wbrz.com
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We’re well underway in planning for APSCON 2023 and APSCON Unmanned, being held in Orlando, FL this year, the week of July 17-22. These events will take place concurrently at the Orange County Convention Center. 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!
Start making plans now to take advantage of the best public safety aviation training anywhere. More information is coming soon with registration starting this month – check your email inbox and our website for the most up-to-date information.
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The Port St. Lucie (FL) Police Department unveiled its new Teledyne-FLIR drones last month. The police department had to ground its old drones, which were made by a Chinese company, because they were no longer approved by the State of Florida. A Florida state law that went into effect January 1 requires law enforcement to solely use drones made by manufacturers on an approved list, which features four American companies and one headquartered in France.
The department showcased the thermal abilities of their six new drones by finding an officer intentionally hiding in the woods. “Significant upgrade from the last resolution that we had, so it’s a much better system in terms of the sensor package that we had, and even the zoom packages for the color camera,” said Sgt. Matthew Reynolds of the department’s SWAT Tech Team.
After two months without the drones, the department is just happy to have their aerial assistance back. The most critical thing the drone does is help the agency work quickly when minutes count. “There were several use cases that we could’ve deployed the drone," Sgt. Reynolds continued, "so it’s good to have them back up, and just get back into our normal swing of things.”
Port St. Lucie operates a six-drone fleet, and the six pilots operating them train 20 hours a month to keep their skills sharp.
Source: cbs12.com
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The Medford Police Department notified the Michigan State Police (MSP) that they were looking for a missing man, and officers had reason to believe the man could be experiencing suicidal ideations. An MSP Aviation Unit helicopter responded with a flight crew of three troopers.
The aircrew located the man under an overpass, near the edge of the Malden River. The aircrew then coordinated with officers on the ground to reach the man. Troopers called for EMS and walked the man to an ambulance, where he was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Police only identified the man as a “young adult.” Video taken by the MSP's helicopter shows the incident unfold.
“The state police air wing, as seen time and again, is a great public safety resource for the entire state,” the MSP said in a statement. “The mission was completed through a team effort by compassionate first responders.” The video shows officers meeting with the man and helping him to an ambulance.
The MSP Aviation Unit is the “most comprehensive public safety aviation unit in the New England region,” according to the agency. Crews are positioned on air bases around the state, and can respond to incidents rapidly. The MSP Aviation Unit responds to more than 1,900 mission requests a year.
Source: Boston.com
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Francis Neeley, a rotorcraft/fixed-wing pilot, firefighter and medic, was recently named as 2021 Firefighter of the Year-Wildland. The belated Florida Forest Service (FFS) award ceremony was recently held at the Florida Senate Chambers in Tallahassee. The event had been postponed from Spring 2022, due to Covid and the senate and governor's scheduling.
Neeley flies for the Florida Forest Service Aviation Unit under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a district pilot in District 11 Withlacoochee Forestry Center, located in the northern Tampa Bay area. Neeley’s career in public service spans 43 years as a firefighter (both structural and wildland), an EMT and a law enforcement officer at the local, county, state and federal level where he served as a special agent and supervisory special agent for two agencies over 33 years. He is also a long-time APSA member.
The FFS requires all its pilots to be both federally and state certified as a Structure and Wildland Firefighter. District pilots like Neeley serve as scout pilots locating wildfires throughout the state and southeast compact as needed. They also aid ground units, getting them to their target location on the fire ground in the most remote, extreme and difficult areas. Once ground units are on scene, the district pilots serve as both command-and-control platforms aiding the on-scene commanders. They also serve as a State Air Attack Group Supervisor (ATGS) or Air Attack for both FFS air assets as well as other county fire and law enforcement air assets with firefighting capabilities.
The award stated that Neeley was being awarded the FFS Firefighter of the Year honor for both an accumulative effort and a single act, both while going above and beyond. Neeley was very humbled to have been included with those that went before him to have been the recipient of such an honor, and to have shared it with his fellow pilots, mechanics and the entire Florida Forest Service Aviation Unit.
Source: FFS
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The IACP Leadership in Police Aviation Award recognizes public safety individuals and agencies that exemplify excellence in airborne law enforcement operations for both manned and unmanned aircraft operations in the law enforcement community. This award emphasizes initiatives that enhance general safety operations, accident prevention programs, and the efficiency and effectiveness of airborne law enforcement. Please note there are two unique nomination types available for this award: agency level and individual level.
Efforts eligible for recognition may range from the unit level to the national or international level including rotary, fixed-wing, or unmanned aircraft operations. Any agency or individual that operates a manned or unmanned aircraft is eligible for the respective award type. The deadline to submit a nomination for this award is March 31, 2023. Learn more here.
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With 100 flights as of last month, the Fort Wayne (TX) Police Department’s Air Support Unit is taking its Drone as First Responder Program from testing to operational. Since its inception in 2017, the unit has seen rapid advancements in its drones, starting with non-zooming, non-thermal cameras on drones that could go out 2,000 feet from their base to a drone they can pilot six miles out from their starting point with cameras that allow officers to take an active role in assessing situations before first responders arrive on scene.
Now with 11 officers assisting the unit both full and part time and learning how to use the equipment, the department is seeing successes. In the first 100 flights, the drone was first on scene 72% of the time (average 2 minutes before officers), spent an average of 10.7 minutes on scene, and helped determine if an officer could disregard the call 12 times.
Officer Matt Rowland, who works full time for the Air Support Unit, said he sees no limits to what the drones can do and that he believes they will help save lives. “It’s just exciting to see where we’ve gotten to and, you know, as the future progresses, we want to have a seven-day-a-week, daytime operation as weather allows. Then we want to move on towards having more locations and being able to cover more areas of the city,” Rowland said. “All that takes time, money resources and manpower; manpower is always a big thing as well.”
Source: journalgazette.net
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Gwinnett County (GA) Police Department released video from their Aviation Unit last month that shows the moment the cockpit of their Air One helicopter took a laser strike on a recent night patrol operation.
After the aircrew initially spotted the laser from a distance away, they were then struck with the green laser in the cockpit of the helicopter. Within seconds, the video shows the aircraft take a direct hit inside the cockpit and then the crew locate where it was coming from. Police found the suspect crouching in front of a construction van. After being questioned, he admitted that he was just messing with the helicopter and did not know it was a crime.
"This is very dangerous and I don't think people know the magnitude of it," explained Gwinnett Police Department's Master Police Officer Hideshi Valle. "The gentleman that pointed the laser was found with the laser and he was apprehended on-scene," Valle said. She explained this video should raise awareness on why no one should be shining a laser at their helicopters or any aircraft for that matter. Valle said it not only puts the pilots and crew on board in danger, but also citizens on the ground. The light can be so blinding it could cause a critical error in the air that brings down the aircraft, which could create catastrophic damage.
"In general, I don't believe that citizens know the magnitude or the impact of the actions when pointing a laser at an aviation unit or a plane in general," Valle said. "And we're just trying to bring awareness because this is a could be a very serious or even deadly incident."
Source: 11alive.com
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A National (UK) Police Air Service fixed-wing plane spotted a vehicle suspected to be traveling with false plates. Information was passed to officers on the ground who closed in on the vehicle as it entered the highway in Nottinghamshire. The vehicle was being driven dangerously and at high speeds as officers worked to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. The vehicle was later spotted heading down a dirt track and off-road into a horse paddock. Ground officers tracked down the suspect and arrested him after his vehicle came to a stop at the end of a field.
The 34-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, driving without a valid test certificate, failing to stop, fraud by false representation and possession of cannabis. Police Constable Marcus Smallman said, “These charges are a result of a great proactive team effort to follow and track down a suspect. Nottinghamshire Police takes any incidents of dangerous driving very seriously. Our top priority is to keep people safe and our work, in this case, shows how we will take robust action against anyone posing a danger to others by committing such offenses.”
Source: westbridgfordwire.com
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The Onondaga County (NY) Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter rescued a stranded fisherman from the ice of Lake Oneida last month. The precarious rescue was captured on cellphone video by Oneida Lake Association president John Harmon, who lives on the shore of South Bay.
According to eyewitness accounts, the man was riding a four-wheeler across South Bay, dragging his ice-fishing shack as he broke through the ice. The water isn’t particularly deep in this part of the bay, Harmon said, ranging from 7 to 10 feet depending on the time of year. The ice fisherman, in his 20s, was unharmed and pulled himself out of the water. Air One arrived minutes later.
The helicopter hovered inches above the weak ice and maneuvered as close as possible to the stranded ice fisherman. “The chopper kind of skidded towards him,” Harmon said, “and the prop wash just blew this guy back because it’s slippery. It’s wet out there. It’s ice with a few inches of water on it. So, he slides and slides, then he gets on all fours and just crawls to the chopper.”
“They just sucked that guy in and went for it,” Harmon added. “It was incredible, incredible to see.” Watch the video here.
Source: romesentinel.com
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XPONENTIAL 2023 is a chance to contribute to the next draft of the "Blueprint for Autonomy", which is this year's Association for Uncrewed Vehicles International (AUVSI) conference theme. Each layer of the plan depends on the unique perspective and skills of leaders in the drone community that includes public safety.
Are you going to AUVSI XPONENTIAL this year? The event will take place May 8-11, 2023 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Come see the APSA team at booth #1648. We look forward to meeting new and old friends!
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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.) Editorial topics include safety, natural resource aviation, hoisting, night vision, thermal imaging, survival equipment/training, and more. Our editorial team is always looking for public safety agencies that want to highlight their aviation unit or members who want to share their knowledge, so please reach out.
Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we would love to hear from you and be able to spotlight your agency in Air Beat this year. Email us at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.
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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 February 2023:
Corporate Members:
FlightHelmet.com
Entrenadores Olarte S.I.
Air Technology Engines
HENSOLDT USA
Individual Members:
Ryan Anderson, Ventura County (CA) Fire Department
Derek Arnold, Liberty Lake (WA) Police Department | Aviation
Juanpablo Ayala, Monterey County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Civil Unit
Graham Binkley, Metro Nashville (TN) Police Department | Aviation Unit
Clint Blankenship, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Bakley Carlton, DHS
David Castillo, Oxnard (CA) Police Department
Tim Ciocarlan, Teton County (WY) Sheriff's Department | Search and Rescue
David Cochrane, Sedona (AZ) Fire District
Brian Conn, Sacramento (CA) Metropolitan Fire District
Jesse Dacanay, El Dorado County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Nicholas Davy, Ventura County (CA) Fire Department
Kara Dinwiddie, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Bryan Dorsey, Texas Department of Public Safety
William E Ford III, Veterans Affairs Police Department
Phillip Fox, Teton County (WY) Sheriff's Department | Search and Rescue
Andrew Galvan, McFarland (CA) Police Department
Todd Griffin, Miami-Dade Police Department
Matthew Hansen, Santa Barbara County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Bureau
Andri Harasym, Canadian Helicopters Limited
Jacob Hirner, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Mark Hoffman, VA ARNG
Greg Hurst, Salinas (CA) Police Department
Ron Justice, Henderson County Sheriff's Office
Charbel Kastoun
Butch Keahiolalo, Last Ditch International LLC
Eric Keim, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Mashaad Kiburi, Salinas (CA) Police Department
Alex Kueck, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Alexander Lee, Solano County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Josh Leonard, Sacramento (CA) Metropolitan Fire District
Charles Lill, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department
Cody Lockhart, Teton County (WY) Sheriff's Department | Search and Rescue
Mel Lovo, Ventura County (CA) Fire Department
Jason Lujan, Fremont (CA) Police Department
Justin Lundstedt, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Sean Marston, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Blake Mathews, Plumas County Sheriff
Patrick McFall, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Tom Melia, Salinas (CA) Police Department
Dion Miller, VA-ARNG HART
Bryce Mitchell, Sacramento (CA) Metropolitan Fire District
Angel Morales, Sedona (AZ) Fire District
Nick Napierski, Utah DPS
Corrie Neufeld, Regina Police Service
Brian A. Panell, Rabun County (GA) | Office of Emergency Management
Nik Pavan, Edmonton (AB) Police Service | Flight Operations Unit
Keegan Pfiel, Teton County (WY) Sheriff's Department | Search and Rescue
Katherine Rafter, Frederick Police Department
Jason Ramos, UAS Center at SBD
Steve Rose, Putnam County Sheriff's Office
Arturo Salgado, Monterey County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Civil Unit
Patrick Scales, La Plata County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Matt Slappey, Rabun County (GA) Sheriff's Office
Jeffrey Smith, New Mexico State Police | Aviation Unit
Edward M. Stagmiller, Martin County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Timothy Starn, Costa Mesa (CA) Police Department
Anthony Stevens, Teton County (WY) Sheriff's Department | Search and Rescue
James Stoneking, Dixie Jet and Rotor Service
Heiko Stopsack, King County Sheriffs Air Support and Rescue
Aaron Strafraco, Canadian Helicopters Limited
Brian Sweeney, Portland Police Burau
Arthur Swiecki, Fremont (CA) Police Department
Matthew Texter, UAS Center at SBD
Callie Volle, Missouri State Highway Patrol
Justin Whitesell, Larimer County Sheriff's Office
Jacob Willis, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
If you know of other public safety aviators or industry-related companies that could benefit by becoming APSA members, please share this link and help our association grow!
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This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Public Safety Association (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 aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety operations.
© Copyright 2023 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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