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APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

APSA Seeks Training & Education Program Manager

The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) is seeking proposals from individuals or entities to provide comprehensive education and training programming for public safety aviation personnel, managers and organizations as part of the ongoing APSA Education and Training Program on a contract basis. The deadline for receipt of submissions is no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Friday, September 15, 2023.

A few of the primary duties and responsibilities of the contracted APSA Training Program Manager include developing an annual education and training plan as well as facilitating all APSA training events including course/class topics and instructor selection/scheduling. This is an important position within APSA. The candidate will work in concert with the APSA Safety Program Manager on the presentation of safety education at APSA training events with emphasis on current trends in aviation safety. Travel is required to perform duties and responsibilities of this position. Click here for the complete RFP information and responsibilities.

All proposals, along with a resume or curriculum vitae should be emailed to Dan Schwarzbach, APSA Executive Director/CEO. 

APSA UAS Courses: Advanced & Confined Courses This Month

APSA offers three proctor courses based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sUAS Test Methods: Basic, Advanced and Confined. These test methods can be used to evaluate sUAS capabilities and sensor systems, remote pilot proficiency and credentialing. Those registering for 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. 

The Basic Course is 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction and covers the BPERP and open lanes. Attendees will learn how to fabricate apparatus, conduct trials, and embed them into their own training and credentialing programs. Successful completion of this course will provide you with a Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilot (BPERP) Certificate and NIST Test Methods Basic Proctor Certificate of Completion, allowing you to serve as a proctor for the BPERP evaluation.  Upcoming courses include:

•    November 6-8, 2023 in Florence, TX (TX DPS Tactical Training Center)  

SOLD OUT – Wait List Only

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:

•    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:

•    September 18-19, 2023 in Fort Wayne, IN.  

If your agency is interested in hosting any of these courses and receiving a free set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, please email dschwarzbach@publicsafetyaviation.org. 
 

Canadian Region Virtual Safety Stand-To This Month

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. Safety Stand-To are open to both APSA members and non-members. In order to participate, however, you must register online. Don't miss this month’s special Canadian virtual event, register now.

VIRTUAL | Canadian | September 28, 2023 

IN-PERSON | Baltimore County (MD) Police Department
40th Anniversary | October 11, 2023 

VIRTUAL | Natural Resources | October 26, 2023 

IN-PERSON | Spokane County, WA | November 14-15, 2023
 

To schedule an in-person Safety Stand-To in your area, please contact APSA at dschwarzbach@publicsafetyaviation.org or 301-631-2406.

Broward County Aircraft Crashes, Crewmember Dies

A 20-year-old man was driving a Ford Mustang through an intersection when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed. He hit a mother and her 4-year-old son standing at a bus stop. A Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Office Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services helicopter was dispatched around 8:41 a.m. to the crash scene, but only a few minutes after the chopper took off, Pilot Daron Roche radioed to say they were going to be forced to head back and that ground transport would have to respond. The helicopter caught fire and crashed into an apartment building at 8:45 a.m. in Pompano Beach.

Broward County Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue pilot Daron Roche and firefighter paramedic Mikael Chaguaceda, along with two civilians were injured in the crash, but have non-life-threatening injuries.

Fire Rescue Captain Terryson Jackson, 50, was trapped in the wreckage and died. "With a heavy heart, we announce the untimely loss of a longtime employee, Captain Terryson Jackson, who passed away this morning, August 28, 2023, after a BSO helicopter crashed," said Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony. "Captain Jackson proudly served the people of Broward County for 19 years. As a flight paramedic, he impacted the community daily, providing critical patients with the highest pre-hospital care. He consistently showed an unmatched passion for the job. He always provided expert care, compassion and reassurance to those during their most significant time of need. His BSO family will forever carry on his legacy," said Tony.

A 65-year-old woman was killed when the helicopter crashed into the apartment building where she lived. The exact cause of the crash is unknown, the National Transportation Safety Board said, but the EC 135T-1 helicopter fell out of the sky after the pilot reported both a left engine failure and an engine fire during flight. Witnesses placed 911 calls and shared video of the accident as it happened.

Sheriff Tony has asked the county for new helicopters to replace the current helicopters for the last three years, he said. In June, he said, he again raised concerns about the state of the helicopters. “Listening back to my statements in June, you probably heard more of an awareness tone,” Tony said, “Of, hey, we need to get this done, because eventually the aircraft are not going to be capable of flying, and the risk factor of one falling out of the sky is too great. Now it’s happened.” The sheriff was honored to promote Captain Jackson to Battalion Chief posthumously. The NTSB will release a preliminary report about the crash in a few weeks.

Source: sun-sentinel.com and local10.com/news
 

UAS Remote ID Final Rule Takes Effect Sept 16

Remote ID is the ability of a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal. The second and final part of the Federal Aviation Administration's final rule on Remote ID goes into effect on September 16, requiring that UAS operators comply to facilitate their identification and tracking. The first part went into effect in December 2022, and it required UAS manufacturers to include the technology in its products.

Remote ID lays the foundation and groundwork needed for more complex drone operations. Remote ID also helps the FAA, law enforcement, and other federal agencies locate the control station when a drone appears to be flying in an unsafe manner or where it is not allowed to fly. 

There are three ways drone pilots can meet the identification requirements of the Remote ID rule: 1) Operate a Standard Remote ID drone that broadcasts identification and location information of the drone and control station; 2) Operate a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module; 3) Operate (without Remote ID equipment) at FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs) sponsored by community-based organizations (CBOs) or educational institutions. FRIAs are the only locations where UAS (drones and radio-controlled airplanes) may operate without broadcasting Remote ID message elements. To review the Final Rule, click here.

Source:  FAA
 

Deadline for Next Class is Oct 20: APSA’s Hybrid Remote PIC Course

APSA offer a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course in a new hybrid format. This course consists of an approximately 16-hour online, self-paced portion followed by a 4-hour live online review, Q&A and test preparation session. This 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 without the added expense of travel. Success requires completion of both the self-paced portion and participation in the live online session. 
  
Registration deadline for the final Hybrid RPIC Course of 2023 is October 20th with the live session scheduled for November 17th, allowing four (4) weeks to complete the self-paced online portion. Click here to register for this course. 
 

NTSB Says Charleston Sheriff’s Helicopter That Crashed Had Missing Bolt

A Charleston County (SC) Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit helicopter crashed on Aug. 1 at Charleston International Airport. In a preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the police helicopter was "substantially damaged" after the accident. The NTSB report revealed the aircraft was missing a bolt in its tail rotor control system. 

"The pilot reported that after about 35 minutes of flight, the helicopter started to yaw slowly to the right. The pilot applied left pedal with no response," the NTSB said in the report. "The pilot stated, 'It felt as if the pedals were not attached.’" 

The NTSB said the pilot then contacted the control tower at Charleston International Airport and declared an emergency as he struggled to bring the helicopter under control. "The helicopter struck the ground adjacent to the runway at a high rate of descent, coming to rest in the grass adjacent to runway 15. The tail rotor boom severed during the impact sequence," the report said. 

Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration later visited the site to inspect the wreckage and learned that "one of the two bolts that secure the lever assemblies in the tail rotor control system was missing," according to the NTSB. 

"A further review of the maintenance records revealed that the bolts would have been removed and reinstalled during recent maintenance on June 28, 2023, about 15 flight hours prior to the accident," the NTSB added. The FAA also confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, and tail rotor system.

The pilot involved in the crash, Lt. Scott Martraya, has been with the agency since 2006 and was released from a local hospital a day after the crash. The wreckage remains under investigation. 
 

Source: foxnews.com
 

Man Arrested for Pointing Rifle at Arkansas State Police Helicopter

Deputies from the White County Sheriff's Office arrested a 53-year-old man after he aimed a gun at an Arkansas State Police helicopter. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the aircrew was flying over an area around noon on Aug. 15, when the man aimed a “scoped rifle” at it. Troopers in the helicopter saw the man enter a home before deputies arrived.

The man refused to come to the door or respond to commands from a loudspeaker. Deputies and troopers set up a perimeter, evacuated nearby homes, and notified nearby schools to use alternate bus routes for students living in the area.

After two hours of no communication from the man, Arkansas State Police’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team responded to the scene. The man surrendered peacefully around 4:30 p.m. and was booked on one count of aggravated assault. His next court appearance is on Oct. 3.


Source: www.kait8.com

Sept 14: Join APSA’s Remote ID & State-Approved Drones Webinar

APSA offers a monthly Webinar Series as part of our education and training program. 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:

• September 14: Changing to State-Approved Drones and Remote ID. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating under Part 107 must comply with the final phase of the FAA’s Remote Identification rule no later than Sept. 16. This webinar is instructed by Aaron Fritch, Texas Department of Public Safety; Jason Day, Texas Department of Public Safety; and Mathew King, Aurora Uncrewed Test Site. Register here.

• October 12: Natural Resources Operations and Challenges


• November 16: Corrosion Prevention and Repairs
• December 14: Thermography for Manned and Unmanned Aircraft

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 addressing the participants?  Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 for details.

 

Man Faces State and Federal Charges for Aiming Laser at Denver Police

A 43-year-old man faces a felony charge, and up to five years in prison, in connection with a laser pointer being shined at a Denver Police Department (DPD) Air Support Unit helicopter. The man aimed a laser pointer at the DPD's "Air 1” helicopter on March 2, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.

The suspect was indicted by a federal grand jury on a single count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. He appeared in federal court last month after he "knowingly aimed the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, and at the flight path of the aircraft," the press release said. He pleaded not guilty. A $10,000 bond was set and the man is due back in court on Oct 10. This case is being investigated by the FBI. 

The case piggybacks on a new Colorado law, SB23-95. On July 1, knowingly shining a laser pointer at an aircraft became a Class 6 felony in the state, punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and 18 months of imprisonment. Federal law already allowed for up to five years of imprisonment if convicted of the charge. 

"A person commits the offense when the person knowingly points, focuses, or aims a laser device at an aircraft while the aircraft is occupied and the incident is reported to law enforcement by the pilot or crew member of the impacted aircraft," the bill summary states. The law also allows for police and prosecutors to take the cases to court on their own. Previously, these incidents had to go through the FBI before the new law was passed.

The new rules were created to help switch off the growing trend of laser pointer activity. The Federal Aviation Administration reported 9,457 laser incidents in 2022, almost 3,000 more than the 6,852 incidents in 2020.
 

Source: denvergazette.com
 

MSP’s Public-Private Collaboration for Lifesaving Trauma Response

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is now carrying blood on medical helicopter runs for transfusions as they fly patients to hospitals. Maryland is first to offer this statewide "Blood on Board" initiative, making whole blood available at traumatic events.

It started on May 10. "We believe this 'Blood on Board' program is already saving lives," Dr. Douglas Floccare, the state air medical director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and medical director for Maryland State Police Aviation Command. As of August 22, the HEMS program had given whole blood to 23 patients across the state, with the majority of those patients being involved in motor vehicle crashes, he said.

The new program uses whole blood, as opposed to blood divided into components, such as red blood cells or plasma. The first two helicopters to carry blood were Trooper 1 in Baltimore County and Trooper 2 at Joint Base Andrews. Now, all MSP helicopters are equipped with two units of whole blood.

Whole blood is used for emergency transfusions when minutes are critical, and is now available onboard MSP’s fleet of “Trooper” helicopters used in prehospital air medical response for critically injured patients. This lifesaving trauma response for Marylanders was made possible by a public-private collaboration between the Maryland State Police, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems and the University of Maryland Medical Center. 
 

Source: MSP and EMS1.com
 

Add to Calendar: Join APSA’s Online Special Meeting Groups

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 registration@publicsafetyaviation.org. 

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:

•    Safety Officers: Friday, September 22, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
•    Natural Resources: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)
•    Maintenance: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
•    SAR: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
•    UAS: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
 

Visit this link for the schedule of future online meetings.
https://publicsafetyaviation.org/apsa-online-meeting-group-schedule

 

Saskatchewan RCMP Working Towards UAS in Every Detachment

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Saskatchewan polices 99% of the 651,900 square kilometers that make up the province. In order to provide efficient and effective policing services, it is important to modernize and keep up with advancements in technologies to help ensure public safety. That's why the Saskatchewan RCMP has been employing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly referred to as drones or unmanned aircraft, to capture aerial images and videos in support of RCMP policing operations since 2010. 

In January 2023, the RPAS 'Expansion Project' began with the objective of having at least one RPAS pilot and one unmanned aircraft in every detachment across Saskatchewan by April 2024. The objective of this Expansion Project is to ensure members have the necessary tools available to them – allowing them to respond to calls quicker and more efficiently when warranted. 

"We're really excited to see this project take flight. By utilizing this innovative technology, we are able to provide crucial air support for our officers on the ground in real time. Expanding this to all of our detachments across Saskatchewan, will most certainly increase our ability to effectively respond to crimes in progress and support search and rescue operations much more efficiently," says Inspector Devin Pugh, Officer in Charge of Saskatchewan RCMP's Support Services Section. 

As of last month, 29 front-line detachment officers have been trained as RPAS pilots and 33% of Saskatchewan RCMP detachments have an unmanned aircraft available to them. 

Unmanned aircraft allow RCMP officers to approach investigations, unfolding critical incidents, and public safety concerns in a more modern, innovative, and efficient way. Calls for services can be responded to quicker, crime scenes can be seen from a bird's eye view, and suspects can be located with lower risk to them, the public and officers. 
 

Source: rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news
 

Louisiana Woman Arrested for Laser Attack on Police Helicopter

A Louisiana woman is accused of unlawfully aiming a laser at a Baltimore Police Department helicopter while the aircrew was on a training flight last month. Crew members reported someone aimed a green laser light at them during their training flight from Metro Aviation, which built the agency’s law enforcement aircraft at their facilities nearby.

Blanchard Police Department initially responded to the report of the laser attack. The helicopter shined its spotlight and led the deputy to the suspect’s home. When the officer arrived, he found the woman pointing a green laser light at the aircraft and the ground. She will face one count of unlawful aiming of a laser at an aircraft.

Laser strikes remain a serious threat to aviation safety, pose a safety threat to pilots, and violate federal laws. Those who violate Federal Aviation Regulations by shining lasers at aircraft can impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. The FAA has imposed civil penalties of up to $30,800 against people for multiple laser incidents.
 

Source: cbs42.com
 

Requesting Your Feedback: What's in Your Survival Kit?

Aircrews involved in manned public safety aviation must prepare for survival in case they are involved in the unthinkable, an aircraft accident. How does your survival equipment compare to that of your fellow public safety aviators? APSA would like your feedback for an article in an upcoming Air Beat issue about survival equipment and training. Tell us what's in your survival kit by Sept. 15, and help your fellow aviators operate more safely.

APSA thanks you for your participation.

Jacksonville Police to Purchase New Drone

The Jacksonville (IL) Police Department will acquire a new police drone following city council approval last month. Jacksonville Police Department already has two police officers who are certified to fly the drone. The department previously operated a drone donated by the Citizen’s Police Academy, which it used for a month and a half before the aircraft suffered a memory system failure.

The department was able to receive an insurance payout of $5,800 following the failure of the drone, but needed additional funds to replace it. The remaining money – approximately $9,000 – will come from tax rebates relating to the purchase of body cameras acquired by the department to comply with Illinois’s recent SAFE-T criminal justice legislation.

The new drone will include a number of upgrades compared with the previous model, including speakers, spotlights and a self-heating battery. It will be used for a range of mission types, including fugitive searches, crime and accident scene photography, and the identification of hotspots on behalf of the Jacksonville Fire Department. Illinois recently expanded the range of missions for police to deploy drones to include the monitoring of large public gatherings.

Source: airmedandrescue.com
 

ASU Will Continue to Provide FAA Fixed-Wing NVG Training

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards Operations Inspectors and Aircraft Certification Pilots night vision goggle (NVG) contract while operating fixed-wing aircraft for the third time recently. ASU will provide both initial training and recurrent training to the FAA.

ASU began training the FAA in 2017, when they were awarded the first fixed-wing training contract, and again in 2020, when they were awarded the second contract. ASU first started training FAA pilots on helicopters in 2007. “When any organization chooses to allow us to retain their business and trust, it is a significant vote of confidence in our team and our organization,” said ASU’s Chief Pilot K Kirkendall. “ASU’s mission is to save lives through comprehensive training and night vision products.”

ASU provides a training environment that can take a pilot from a high-light, open desert environment to backcountry mountainous terrain with zero artificial light. ASU will also conduct recurrent training at its Boise, Idaho site.

“We have worked hard to earn not only the fixed-wing training but also the rotorcraft training contract with the FAA,” said ASU President Joe Estrera. “We appreciate the FAA and look forward to continuing our working relationship with them.”

Source: Aviation Specialties Unlimited
 

Fulton Police Add Drone Capabilities

The Fulton (NY) Police Department has recently added a drone program, with five officers trained as pilots. “A drone flown by law enforcement is a powerful tool to both protect citizens and aid in arrests and deterrence,” Fulton (NY) Police Department Chief Mike Curtis. said. “This program has been enthusiastically embraced by our officers and I’m extremely gratified to have it as part of our city’s police capabilities.”

All five officers in the program were trained by Oswego County Emergency Management Office Drone Coordinator John McGraw, Officer/Drone Coordinator David Wallace said. The department is using an DJI-M30T drone that has thermal imaging capabilities that is especially helpful at night. “Even though our drone program has only been up and running for two months, it’s already aided us in everything from surveying structural fires to searching for fleeing suspects,” Wallace said. “It can also be used for search and rescue cases.”

The department said the drones will provide important information when conducting criminal investigations by providing an overhead view of an area or incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings or properties, providing detailed documentation of crime and accident scenes, and searching for lost or missing persons. Wallace said, “Our officers are awestruck with its capabilities. It really provides an added layer of security for our citizens and brings an exciting dimension to local law enforcement.”

Source:  oswegocountytoday.com
 

USHST Will Host Two September Safety Events

The United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) is hosting two safety-focused events in September, and all interested members of the vertical lift industry are invited to attend.

The events include a nearly day-long “COPTER IFR/Weather Camera Summit” on Monday, September 11, followed by USHST’s quarterly “All Hands” meeting on September 12. Both events are available for in-person or online attendance.  USHST is holding the events at the offices of Helicopter Association International Headquarters (HAI) in Alexandria, Virginia. Registration for both events, either in-person or online, can be made here. 

“The USHST is asking for additional support for the FAA Weather Camera network, and necessary resources for its complete expansion throughout the entire United States.  The FAA has indicated an 85% reduction in weather-related accidents and a 69% reduction in weather-related flight interruptions from 2007-2014. based on pilot decision making related to the cameras. The USHST and HAI are soliciting your support and advocacy to expand the program and increase funding. Additionally, efficient alternative weather sources that can be used in IFR operations to support safe decision making. This is a great opportunity for operators with IFR Programs to share their experiences, challenges and recommendations,” said Chris Baur, USHST Industry Co-Chair.

The IFR/Weather Camera Summit runs from 9 am to 4 pm (EDT), with a break for lunch, and will include seminars on weather cameras and pre-flight risk assessments. During the presentation, panelists will provide an update on the weather camera program and answer audience questions.

Source: USHST 
 

San Diego Police to Acquire Three Additional Airbus H125s

San Diego Police Department is poised to acquire three new Airbus H125 helicopters for its Air Support Unit to complete a fleet renewal process that will replace its aging Airbus AS350 B3s.

The $16 million acquisition received the green light from city council in early August. It authorizes the city to purchase two H125 aircraft in the 2024 fiscal year, with the third aircraft to be purchased in the 2025 fiscal year. These new platforms will join one H125 already in service. 

The Air Support Unit averages over 2,800 flight hours per year. The new H125s will undergo a mission configuration installation process that includes a public address system, spotlight, radios, navigation equipment and wiring installation.

Source: verticalmag.com
 

Portage County Sheriff's Office Finds 100+ Marijuana Plants

The Portage County (OH) Sheriff's Office said that 105 marijuana plants were found and confiscated from residences last month with the help of a state helicopter. An Ohio Department of Transportation helicopter was used to spot marijuana plants during an eradication operation. It’s illegal in Ohio to grow marijuana without a permit from the Ohio Department of Agriculture for Hemp.

"Property owners asked about marijuana cultivation overwhelmingly were cooperative, several admitted to growing pot, and asked if officials wanted the homeowners to pull the plants for them," the Sheriff's Office posted on social media. There were no citations or arrests, but investigations are continuing. 

The last time marijuana eradication was done using a helicopter in Portage County was in 2017, the Sheriff's Office said. Agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation also took part in the effort.

Source: fox8.com and cleveland19.com
 

2024 HAI Salute To Excellence Award Nominations Wanted

Within the vertical aviation industry are pilots, mechanics/engineers, safety professionals, and others who go above and beyond to pursue professional excellence. Their dedication is an inspiration to us all. The Helicopter Association International (HAI) Salute to Excellence Awards were begun to recognize such outstanding achievement.

Do you know such a professional? If so, HAI is hoping you’ll tell us their story and nominate them for the 2024 Salute to Excellence Awards program. The awards are open to individuals, teams, and organizations that work with helicopters and remotely piloted aircraft systems (uncrewed aircraft systems, or drones).

“We are celebrating HAI’s 75th anniversary this year, so we are really hoping to receive some truly noteworthy nominations,” says HAI’s Dan Sweet, Salute to Excellence Awards program co-administrator. “If you’ve long thought that someone you know deserves to be recognized for their contributions to their business or our industry, we strongly encourage you to make the effort and send in a nomination.”

Anyone may submit a nomination, and anyone may be nominated. HAI membership isn’t required. Award descriptions and criteria, as well as additional information about the awards process and profiles of past winners, are available at rotor.org/events/salute-to-excellence. Nominations will be accepted through Oct. 1, 2023.

The winners of the awards will be honored at HAI HELI-EXPO 2024, Feb. 26–29 (exhibits open Feb. 27–29), in Anaheim, California. Also at the 2024 show, HAI will celebrate the association’s 75th anniversary, which takes place Dec. 13, 2023. Multimedia exhibits will be on display to honor our industry’s remarkable achievements since HAI’s founding in 1948.

Source: HAI
 

Royal Oman Police Achieve 20,000 Flight Hours with AW139

Strong collaboration between Leonardo and Royal Oman Police, dating back to the early 2000s, has led to an important operational milestone with the AW139, explains Colonel Pilot Bader Al Siyabi of the Directorate General of Police Aviation at a recent award ceremony.
 
Leonardo and the Royal Oman Police (ROP) recently celebrated the achievement of 20,000 flight hours performed by the ROP’s AW139 fleet. The ROP was one of the first operators in the world to believe in the AW139’s advanced capabilities, resulting in the first contract signature in 2004. Leonardo successfully introduced this state-of-the-art aircraft in a very demanding ‘hot and high’ environment, providing elevated levels of availability and safety and making the Royal Oman Police’s operations a true benchmark.

Law enforcement is a central mission and the AW139 helicopters support law enforcement efforts by providing air support during police operations. The helicopters are equipped with advanced SAR systems and can be deployed to locate missing people, assist in medical evacuations, and provide support during cyclones and other adverse weather events. The AW139 is also deployed in the Air Ambulance role, providing Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) to transport patients and injured people, whether from remote villages and locations, or between hospitals.

Source: helicopters.leonardo.com
 

Get Published: Share Your Story With Members 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.) Editorial topics include safety, equipment/training, maintenance, tactics 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, or 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.
 

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 August 2023: 
 

Corporate Members:

AT Systems, LLC
DJI Technology, Inc.
Euramec USA
ZuluLog

 

Individual Members:

Lisa Acosta, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Johan Ahlén, Swedish National Police
Duncan Brown, Sacramento County (CA) Sheriff's Office | Air Operations
Drake Carder, Oklahoma City (OK) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Kevin Connors, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit
Jason Deal, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department | Helicopter Division
Scotty Evans, Georgia Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire
Calvin Fraites, Elite Simulation Solutions
John Gerber, Robeson County Sheriff
Scott Glazer, PSCC Group
Anthony Glover, Oklahoma City (OK) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Steve Harrelson, Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Rob Harrison, Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Calvin Howell, DDFS
Nicholas Ishii, Stockton (CA) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Travis Jenkins, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department | Helicopter Division
Jonathan Kirkham, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Mark Langley, Airborne Works
John Page, Dallas Police Department
Jason Perrigo, OCFRD
Carlos Pina, Monterey County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Adam Rider, Covered6
Andre Schabron, Canadian Helicopters
Grant Sibley, U.S. Customs
Mike Thompson, Mike Thompson LLC
Berit Voldnes, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department | Helicopter Division
David Wagner, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Aviation Unit



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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.

(c) 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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