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APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website. Man Found ‘Not Guilty' After He Admits To Shooting Arrow At Helicopter Crew
The pilot who testified said the man came out of his trailer kind of fast with a compound bow in his hand. The pilot said he began to pull the helicopter up from 500 feet as he watched an arrow arch behind him. The arrow did not strike the helicopter and it was never located. Although the man admitted to shooting an arrow at the helicopter, his defense said no crime was committed because he was concerned for his safety. The six-member jury took about an hour to reach the not-guilty verdict. Source: www.wwmt.com Teenager Knowingly Points Laser At Aircraft
"It's a very dangerous incident," said Phoenix (AZ) Police Department Officer Matthew Bolin, who flies for the department's Air Support Unit. During night patrol, a green laser struck the unit's cockpit causing the pilot's eyes to become blurred and forcing the officers to immediately land at a nearby elementary school. "His vision was compromised seriously," said Bolin. Investigators say the pilot is still working to recover his full sight. The next day, another aircrew of two was conducting an aerial search for a felony suspect and was also struck by a laser. The air unit, with assistance from officers on the ground, was able to locate the teenage suspect who admitted to pointing the laser light at the helicopter and knowing it was a police aircraft. The suspect was later detained at the Juvenile Correction Center pending charges of aggravated assault. Officers say the number of laser incidents have increased. "They've been pretty consistent and frequent," said Bolin. "It's just so dangerous, if a pilot can't see because of it (laser) and if you can't land, it's going to be an interesting situation," said Bolin. The department is now using the recent incidents to remind and warn people that if you are caught pointing a laser at any aircraft, it is a felony offense. Source: www.abc15.com Bell Names New Leader of Commercial Business
“Larry is a dynamic leader with unparalleled expertise in the commercial helicopter market,” said Bell President and CEO John L. Garrison. “He's clearly been a force in shaping the helicopter market, and we're proud to have him join the Bell team. I'm confident that, with his experience and commitment to the industry, he will enhance Bell's ability to exceed the expectations of our commercial customers throughout the world.” Roberts joins Bell from American Eurocopter, where he served as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support. Prior to joining that company in 1997, Roberts had served as captain of criminal investigations for the Citrus County (FL) Sheriff's Department and as patrolman and watch commander with the Gainesville (FL) Police Department for the preceding 13 years. He was a founding member of the Gainesville Police Department Helicopter Unit, which provided air support for ground operations of both agencies. Roberts holds licenses and ratings as a single- and twin-engine commercial pilot and rotorcraft instructor. Source: www.bellhelicopter.com Man Jailed After Shooting At Sheriff's Helicopter
The 26-year-old was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and shooting at an occupied aircraft. No one was hurt. Investigators haven't reported why the man was firing the shots. Source: www.orlandosentinel.com
Wichita Air Section Recognizes Maintenance Provider
The WPD Certificate of Appreciation is awarded to any civilian or civilian organization that renders services to the community and citizens of the City of Wichita in the interest of better law enforcement. “High caliber customer service is an important part of what we do and how we conduct our business,” said WPD's Lt. Shields. “We can tell it's equally important at Mid-Continent Instruments.” The mission of the WPD's Air Section is to assist and support ground units engaged in field operations, with a strong emphasis placed on the enhancement of officer safety. The unit's helicopters have been a familiar and welcome police presence in the skies over Wichita. This year, the unit is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Source: Wichita Police Department Kayaker Rescued By Helicopter Crews
Due to the extremely high and dangerous water and difficulties accessing the search area, Trooper 3 began searching the river, islands and small pockets of trees that protruded up through the high water with both the searchlight and night vision goggles. The victim was located, clinging to a small group of trees that were partially submerged in the water. The victim was able to climb into one of the trees and stand on a branch elevating most of his body out of the frigid rushing water. Trooper 2 arrived on scene just in time to assist Trooper 3 by providing additional lighting and clearing hazards. Trooper 3 executed the extremely difficult night hoist over rushing water from approximately 50 feet; they lowered a rescue basket down to the water beside the trees in which the kayaker was stranded. The kayaker was able to climb into the rescue basket and was hoisted to the hovering aircraft above him. The rescue was an overwhelming success and well coordinated with all of the involved agencies. Source: http://wbal.com Laser and Flashlight Shone At Police Aircraft
The Bell 407 aircrew of three was wearing night vision goggles when they were lased and experienced some vision distortion. Utilizing the Wescam MX15 and the Aerocomputer moving map, the crew pinpointed the exact address from where the laser was coming. The suspect was filmed with the FLIR as well as the daylight camera to capture the subject using the laser. The man faces charges of interfering with the operation of an aircraft, obstruction of justice and endangering lives. In a news release, Fairfax authorities state that "interfering with the operation of an aircraft and endangering life is a Class 6 felony and is punishable by at least one year up to five years in jail, or at the discretion of a judge or jury, not more than 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine." Source: www.examiner.com L-3 Acquires Insight to Expand Night Vision Business
The company said Insight develops and manufactures night vision and electro-optical equipment including laser aiming and illumination devices, laser rangefinders, laser markers and designators, night vision goggles and monoculars, and thermal imaging systems. The acquisition should be completed in the second quarter of 2010. Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com Texas DPS Adds More Powerful A-Stars To Fleet
“We perform a variety of missions throughout the state and we are incorporating new equipment to help us meet the growing demands of our missions,” said Texas DPS Chief Pilot Bill Nabors. “The role of the modern police helicopter is changing and our helicopters are tasked to do more and more,” adds Nabors. “The AS350 B3 gives us more useful load, added performance in higher density altitudes and the option for hoist capabilities.” The Texas DPS is a long-time operator of A-Stars, the first of which entered into service in 1984. These helicopters form the bulk of the fleet that supports the Department from the air in its mission to provide public safety services to the people in the State of Texas. Source: American Eurocopter Dallas Chaplain Will Be Missed
Merkel worked for 20 years as an air traffic controller in Fort Worth, TX before he devoted himself full-time to his ministries at St. Stephen's Anglican Catholic Church and the Dallas Police Department (DPD). Merkel always said the DPD Helicopter Unit and patrol flights were a place he could leave all his other responsibilities behind. Merkel was truly a man of many interests, including firefighting, scuba diving and motorcycle riding. Merkel was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and Priest. His life's work consisted of service to others, and his positive attitude, fighting spirit and depth of character were an inspiration to many. He will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to assist The Officer Foundation c/o Dallas Police Association, 1412 Griffin Street East, Dallas, TX, 75215 or Dallas Police Widows and Orphans Fund, c/o Sr. Cpl. Julie Arnott, 1400 South Lamar, Dallas, TX, 75215.
Source: www.al.com CHP Helicopter Plucks Man From Mud
Source: www.mercurynews.com
Moving Map Maker Releases New Technology
The company builds powerful, GIS-based digital moving map systems. The FMS Moving Map has the ability to display underwater features, fire footprints, and collect data on the fly for later review and debriefing. Powerful options like linking addresses to reverse 911phone numbers, occupant names and existing threat level data (or building your own database), are available. Ortho Photo layers provide a daytime picture of the target address so ground crews can be safely directed to positions. The FMS Moving Map is available through Dart Helicopter Services at www.darthelicopterservices.com. Tampa Police Pilots & TFOs Train Using NVGs The Tampa (FL) Police Department's Aviation Unit completed initial NVG pilot training offered by Night Flight Concepts (NFC) recently. The comprehensive NVG training took place onsite at TPD's flight operation facility and incorporated the use of their Bell 407 and 206L-4 aircraft. There was ground and flight training for the pilots and tactical flight officers. Ground training included the use of a Virtual Terrain Board supplied by Night Readiness, LLC. Flight training included single engine maneuvers such as touchdown autorotations, hydraulic-off landings, FADEC and operational area training while using NVGs. “TPD's Aviation Unit stands to gain an invaluable increase in night flying confidence with the use of their NVGs,” commented instructor Randy Rowles. Source: Night Flight Concepts, Inc. Europe's Police Aviation Conference
Speakers will include APSA's own Kenneth Solosky, Glenn Daley and Jose Mendizabel. Other presenters are from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Belgium. Access to the conference is restricted to airborne emergency services personnel and associated professionals. For more information, please visitwww.pavcon.org. Exceptional APSA Training Opportunities Coming to Northeast
Educational sessions planned include Aviation Safety for Aircrews, Inadvertent IMC Hazards & Recovery, Operational Considerations for Cold Weather Climates, Surveillance Techniques, Airborne Patrol Tactics, Accreditation, and much more. Additionally, a Water Survival Training course will be held on May 5, but you must register and pay a $30 fee in advance. To register or for more detailed information, please visit www.alea.org. Receive the discounted hotel rate of $119 if you book your room by April 12, so don't delay! |
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In Michigan, a man faced trial last month because he allegedly fired an arrow at a Michigan State Police helicopter while officers reportedly came onto his property during a drug sweep in late 2009. The West Michigan Enforcement Team, a multijurisdictional drug enforcement unit, was flying in a helicopter looking for marijuana fields. The crew was searching the property around the suspect's home for marijuana, not even targeting the 38-year-old man, until he fired an arrow at their helicopter.
A 14-year-old suspect was detained in Arizona after two police aircrews reported having laser lights pointed into their cockpits last month.
Bell Helicopter-Textron Inc. has hired Larry D. Roberts as Senior Vice President of Commercial Business. He will be responsible for the sales, marketing and program development of Bell's line of helicopters.
An Orlando man was arrested last month after he fired at deputies in an Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office helicopter. Emergency dispatchers received a report that someone was shooting in a residential neighborhood. Deputies responding in a helicopter and K-9 units went to check it out when at least one shot was fired at the helicopter.
The Wichita (KS) Police Department's Air Section has recognized Mid-Continent Instruments' excellent customer service with the WPD Certificate of Appreciation. Lt. Paul Shields and Director of Maintenance David Fry presented Mid-Continent Instruments President and CEO Todd Winter (center) with the award recently. Mid-Continent literally helped keep the Air Section's 2003 MD 500E helicopter in the air to provide critical support to ground operations, and the City of Wichita saved thousands of dollars in the process.
Maryland State Police aviation crews rescued a kayaker last month. Fire and rescue units from both Frederick and Washington Counties dispatched five boats and two ambulances, as well as two MSP helicopters, Trooper 3 and Trooper 2.
A 47-year-old man was arrested after allegedly shining a green laser light and a flashlight at a Fairfax County (VA) Police helicopter while the crew searched for a suspect in an unrelated case in February.
Technology and communications services provider L-3 Communications agreed last month to acquire Insight Technology Incorporated to expand its electro-optical and night vision business. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) ordered two A-Star helicopters last month. DPS will expand mission capabilities by adding a more powerful version of the AS350 B3 coupled with the benefit of the Turbomeca Arriell 2B1 Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). These new helicopters will join the DPS fleet that already includes 13 A-Stars and one multi-mission EC145.
Chief of Chaplains for the Dallas (TX) Police Department, Rev. Craig Merkel, 56, died last month after a long battle with melanoma, having lived with leukemia for over 10 years.
The U.S. Army hit a modern milestone last month: one million flight hours using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), reported the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The number isn't important in and of itself, said Col. Gregory Gonzalez, UAS Project Manager in the Program Executive Office for Aviation during a conference last month. He explained that it's a million hours of operating a technology that keeps soldiers safer.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew rescued a 52-year-old man who became stranded in mud and weeds last month. The man was hiking near Santa Rosa and got lost. He called 911 and asked the Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Department for help. A CHP helicopter was sent to look for him, and with assistance from the Sheriff's Department, the man was found in about five minutes standing in mud up to his waist and inaccessible by foot or car. The CHP helicopter crew pulled the man to safety. He was uninjured.
Devon & Cornwall Police took delivery of a new EC145 helicopter last month. The agency are pioneers of police aviation in the United Kingdom and have operated helicopters in support of police activities for more than 25 years.
Flight Management Systems introduced its “Lock and Forget” technology for the FMS series of moving maps used in law enforcement aviation last month. Greg Taylor, President of FMS, explains that the amazing accuracy of the technology is coupled with the ability of the FMS Moving Map to control the SX-16 and the Trakka searchlights, effectively performing the function of a searchlight slaving system.
PAvCon 2010 will take place in the Conference Centre at Pribram Airfield in Prague, Czech Republic on May 28-29, 2010. PAvCon will be in conjunction with the AeroExpo Europe, which is Europe's Festival of Aviation.
The APSA Northeast Region Safety Seminar will take place in Springfield, MA on May 5-7, 2010. The seminar is being hosted by the Massachusetts State Police.
