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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. Four Nigerian Officers Die in Crash
The helicopter crashed barely three minutes after taking off from the Nigeria Prisons Service field for routine air patrol. Residents spoke of hearing a loud noise and seeing the aircraft crash into homes, bursting into a huge ball of fire. There were no survivors on the aircraft, and no reports of casualties on the ground. The Nigerian Police Force, in conjunction Nigerian Accident and Investigation Bureau of the Aviation Ministry, is investigating the incident. SOURCE: www.thenationonlineng.ne Georgia Aircrew & SWAT Demonstrate At Airshow
Pilots Lt. Greg Mercier, Sgt. Hamilton Halford and TFC2 Lance Scott flew GSP's Bell 407 and the UH-1 Huey helicopters in two different demonstrations for several thousand spectators. The first demonstration was a water drop using two different Bambi buckets. The pilots showed off their skills in both types of aircraft by dropping loads of water precisely in and on predetermined targets. The second demonstration included eight members of the SWAT Team fast roping from the UH-1 Huey while the Bell 407 helicopter circled with an airborne sniper providing aerial cover and support. Once on the ground, five of the SWAT members quickly assembled, hooked up to the extraction rope and were SPIE lifted out with the UH-1 Huey. In addition to the demonstrations, the SWAT Team also had their Bearcat Armored Personnel Vehicle, F6A robot and many different weapon systems on display for spectators to view. SOURCE: GSP Aviation Unit Thief In Stinky Situation; Caught By Aircrew
Police examined the man's van and found the tank and pumping equipment. The man was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal, but later released without charge. SOURCE: www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news Act Now - APSA Awards & Scholarships
Now is the time to nominate that worthy someone for an award and/or apply for a scholarship! We are accepting nominations and applications through May 1, 2012, and will announce the recipients in July during our 42nd Annual Conference & Exposition. Please visit the Awards & Scholarship section of our website at www.alea.org/areas/awards/ for submission information. Don't assume that someone else is nominating that worthy person or that there are so many applicants that you'll never get a scholarship. Take the time now to help us recognize excellence in our membership and their families. Nominate or apply today! MD Aircraft With Performance & Technology Enhancements
"This aircraft will be a game changer for our company," said Lynn Tilton, CEO of MDHI. "The commercial and military markets have long sought an affordable, light, single-engine helicopter that can perform exceptionally well at hot and high altitudes while carrying a larger useful load. The MD 540F will be that aircraft. Our engineers have managed to increase max gross takeoff weight and useful load dramatically. This increase will allow the MD 540F to carry a full avionics and weapons package while hovering at 6,000 feet/95°F." The MD 540F will be equipped with a fully integrated digital glass cockpit. Information will be displayed to the pilots on large, easy to read, multi-function color displays. The increased useful load will allow the armed version of the 540F to carry an advanced, lightweight weapons platform with four stations. Various mixes of guns, rockets and missiles can be carried simultaneously. Development of the MD 540F is ongoing and flight tests have commenced. Certification is projected for the first quarter of 2013. SOURCE: MDHI Police Purchase New 429s for Missions
"It is a measure of great satisfaction to see the right helicopter matched with the requirements of a great customer with the benefits to Turkey and the service that these helicopters will provide the men and women of Turkish law enforcement and the Turkish people," said Larry Roberts, senior vice president, Commercial Business for Bell Helicopter. The Bell 429 is an advanced light twin-engine helicopter. SOURCE: Bell Helicopter Canadian APSA Course; Become A Certified Thermographer
Designed and presented by airborne law enforcement and industry professionals, this course features instructors Jack Schonely, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department, Kevin Means, San Diego (CA) Police Department, Cyndi Jo Means, San Diego County (CA) District Attorney's Office and Brian Spillane of FLIR Systems, Inc., all of whom are recognized experts in the field of thermal imagery, airborne law enforcement and laws pertaining to airborne searches. The course cost is $575 for APSA members ($650, non-members) and will take place at the Best Western Plus Couchiching Inn http://www.bestwesternorillia.com. Discounted room rates are available, $79.25 per night that includes a hot continental breakfast. Please contact Jim Di Giovanna at jdigiovanna@PublicSafetyAviation.org or 714-615-2057 for additional information. CHP Unit Rescues Lost Hiker
Within minutes of arriving and beginning a search, the crew located a light source. Due to the distance from park rangers/deputies, H-30 landed in the remote section of the park and confirmed the identity of the hiker. The hiker was cold after being out for several hours in the 39-degree weather, but uninjured. The helicopter crew was Officer/Pilot Pete Gavitte, Officer/Paramedic Mark Mitchell and Officer/Paramedic Whitney Lowe. The air unit, based at the Napa County Airport, operates four aircraft (two airplanes and two helicopters), which patrol approximately 6,923 square miles that incorporates a residential population of more than 7,150,000 people. SOURCE: CHP Broward Adds Aircraft; Extends Life of Fleet
The BCSO helicopter is an eye in the sky for deputies on the street and a vital lifesaving tool in medical emergencies. Last year BCSO helicopters flew 3,557 total missions, contributing to 498 arrests, and transporting 214 seriously injured patients to local trauma centers. SOURCE: American Eurocopter Federal Accident Investigators Release Crash Cause
Schuengel had discussed the low fuel supply before the accident. Before the fatal flight, Schuengel and two other highway patrol officers had flown from the Arnold Police Department toward Interstate 55 to conduct speed enforcement. Schuengel told the officers that they would not be able to remain in the air as long as normal because he would have to refuel before a flight in Franklin County later that day. The model of JetRanger holds about 76 to 91 gallons and burns about 25 gallons an hour. One of the officers said the helicopter's fuel gauge was "slightly above 25" gallons during the flight. By the time it landed back at Arnold, it was "halfway between E and 25" gallons, NTSB reports show. Schuengel flew alone toward the Spirit of St. Louis Airport when the helicopter crashed, just missing some houses. Nobody on the ground was injured. In the NTSB's "probable cause" report, investigators added that the pilot's medical records showed he had a history of depression, anxiety and obstructive sleep apnea. None of the conditions had been reported to the Federal Aviation Administration as part of the pilot's airman medical application in 2010 or earlier, according to the NTSB report. In addition, toxicological tests showed the pilot was taking the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (the generic name for Xanax) and an antidepressant, venlafaxine. "The fact that the blood level of venlaxafine found was higher than normal therapeutic levels makes it more likely that the side effect of dizziness occurred and impaired the pilot's performance," the report stated. Missouri Highway Patrol officials made several operational changes following the crash. Most notably, the patrol stepped up training intervals for both helicopter and airplane pilots. The patrol also requires greater minimum fuel reserves in its aircraft. SOURCE: www.stltoday.com Carabineros de Chile Expand Their AW109 Power Fleet
The AW109 Power attributes include a single-pilot instrument flight capability, a class leading maximum cruise speed of 154 knots and unmatched single engine safety. The AW109 Power's unobstructed and spacious cabin allows easy configuration changes between roles and the large baggage compartment can be used to carry a range of mission equipment. Its characteristics make it the ideal solution for law enforcement purposes. The AW109 Power law enforcement variant is designed to perform a wide range of security duties to meet the changing demands of law enforcement: patrol, surveillance and tactical operations, state border control, counter-terrorism, search and rescue, armed interdiction and other homeland security missions. SOURCE: AgustaWestland First New A-Star Delivered to Arizona Agency
Pima County covers over 9,000 square miles, and PCSD pilots may find themselves flying in desert temperatures of 112 degrees one day and mountainous terrain with altitudes of up to 10,000 feet the next. PCSD Unit Commander Lt. Bob Kimmins said, "Its capabilities match our diverse needs in terms of the missions we fly and the climate variations we experience." The search for a new helicopter came after a tragic accident in early 2011. Lt. Kimmins and Capt. Don Kester were tasked with redefining the department's helicopter mission and identifying the appropriate aircraft for that mission. "While we can't celebrate this delivery without a sadness for how we got here, we are extremely excited to have partnered with American Eurocopter to restart our helicopter program," said Kimmins. "It is gratifying to know lives will be saved as we continue to look toward the future." SOURCE: American Eurocopter Maryland State Police Aviation Division Receives Local Recognition
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is the only flight program in Maryland that performs medevac, aerial law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment. Since 1970, Maryland State Police Aviation Command has been instrumental in saving the lives of citizens throughout the county and throughout Maryland. SOURCE: connectedcommunities.us Helicopter Helps Responders See Damage From Chemical Leak
The helicopter is equipped with a forward-looking infrared sensor that can detect heat signatures given off by particular chemicals. That device helped hazardous-materials teams identify the chemicals on the train, including methanol and propanediol. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is used as a solvent and an alternative fuel, but was not leaking from the train. "The Anderson County Sheriff's Office helicopter is probably your best surveillance when it comes to dealing with train wrecks and derailed rail cars," said Taylor Jones, Anderson County's Director of Emergency Services. "Not only does it help us give intel to people on the ground, but it can give you — quite literally — the big picture of a disaster." "We were able to provide the kind of information that was needed by the folks on the ground," Jones said. "Our guys were able to feed the kind of information they needed back at the command post. From the air, you can see what kind of risk exists for residents, if any does. That air time helped determine which streets were evacuated." SOURCE: www.independentmail.com Selling Old Aircraft To Pay Balance Of Newest
The department's aviation program began in 1979 with the purchase of three military surplus choppers. In the 1990s, the county purchased two JetRangers and a Bell UH-1H, which is used primarily for tactical and rescue missions. In 2009, the county bought its first new, turbine-engine EC110. The decision to sell the JetRanger and the two shells was made to offset the $800,000 balance outstanding on the EC110 aircraft. SOURCE: www.posttrib.suntimes.com Nominations Wanted To Honor Excellence In Police Aviation
To be eligible, the nominee should be an individual who holds a management or leadership position in police aviation (broadly interpreted). The nominee could also be an aviation program (unit) that exemplifies excellence in airborne law enforcement. The award will emphasize initiatives to enhance the general level and safety of operations, accident prevention programs, and the efficiency and effectiveness of airborne law enforcement. Efforts eligible for recognition can range from the unit level to the national or international level. The deadline for nominations is June 15, 2012. For submission questions, please contact Mike Fergus by phone at 800-843-4227 x811 or by email at fergus@theiacp.org. 
The Biggest Stack Is The Knowledge You Take Home: APSA Returns to Reno in July; Register Now Now is the time to start making plans now to join us in Reno, NV, July 11-14, 2012, for our 42nd Annual Conference & Exposition. Better yet, plan to make an entire week of it and join us for a pre-conference course, July 9-11, too. All of the information you need to plan a week of the best tactical aviation training you'll ever experience is now available on our website athttp://archives.alea.org/events/Annual-Conference. APSA Training Headed to Maryland; Join Us!
An optional water survival course is available for $50. Register for the seminar at http://archives.alea.org/events/detail.aspx?i=124&p=1&d=05/01/2012 or contact APSA Northeast Region Director Kevin Chittick at kchittick@PublicSafetyAviation.org for further information.
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Four senior police officials were killed last month when a police helicopter crashed in the central Nigerian city of Jos. They were identified as Nigeria's Deputy Inspector General John Haruna, 55, ACP Garba Yelwa (pilot), CSP Alexander Pwol-Ja (co-pilot) and Sergeant Sonatian Shirunam.
Members of the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit and the state's SWAT Team combined forces to put on a spectacular show during the annual “Thunder in the Valley Air Show†last month. The Aviation Unit was among 16 other performers scheduled for the weekend-long air show.
A suspected fuel thief in southwest England tried to avoid detection from the Wiltshire Police (UK) helicopter's onboard thermal imaging camera by hiding in manure. An officer explained that suspicions were aroused when a van was spotted with a tank and pumping equipment, so the force helicopter was called in. After abandoning his van, the suspect had been hot from running and was easily detected on the helicopter's thermal imaging cameras hiding in a manure heap. The 34-year-old man was found "face down in the dung" by officers.
Annually, APSA presents six awards, sponsored by some very special corporate members, which recognize outstanding performance by our members in our highly specialized profession. The winners of these awards epitomize our motto, "to serve and protect from the air". Additionally, APSA provides 13 scholarships totaling $29,500 to recognize the academic excellence of our members' children. The APSA funds seven regional scholarships, which provide $2,500 to each recipient. The remaining six scholarships, like our awards, are funded through the generosity of some very special Corporate Members and the James Bland Memorial Fund, and provide $1,500-$2,500 to each recipient.
MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) will soon release its first new helicopter in 15 years, the MD 540F. The 540F is an upgrade to the popular MD 530F, boasting a six-bladed, fully articulated rotor blade system made up entirely of composite material and a more rugged landing skid built for heavier takeoff and landing weights.
The Turkish National Police signed a contract with Bell Helicopter for the purchase of 15 Bell 429s last month, with deliveries to begin in May 2013. The new Bell 429s will be used as multi-mission airborne platforms flown across the full array of law enforcement missions from surveillance to air support of ground operations.
APSA's upcoming Canadian Tactical Flight Officer & Thermal Imaging Course offers an in-depth study of helicopter patrol and thermal imagery use in the areas of tactics, theory and technology. The course will take place in Ontario, Canada from June 4-8, 2012. Certification as an Airborne Thermographer is offered to qualified students who attend all segments of the thermal imagery training and pass the written exam. Space is limited, so please register by May 3 to reserve your spot.
On March 10, the crew of California Highway Patrol (CHP) Helicopter 30 (H-30) assisted the Marin County (CA) Sheriff's Office and the National Park Service in locating a lost hiker within Pt. Reyes National Seashore. The hiker had called his family via cell phone stating he was lost and that he was trying to get to the Estero Trail. The crew of H-30 advised sheriff's dispatch that if they were able to contact the victim, to relay that he should wave a light source towards the helicopter as even a faint light source can be seen with night vision goggles.
The Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Office (BCSO) purchased an EC135 in February, the third EC135 in its fleet and fourth Eurocopter aircraft overall. In last month's edition of APSA Enews, an incorrect photo of the new aircraft was published. “The new helicopter (pictured) will allow BCSO to safely stay on top of police and medical emergencies in Broward County, and we will not have to hire new pilots or mechanics to do it,†said Sgt. Dale Owens, who heads up the BCSO Aviation Unit.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said last month that "fuel exhaustion" likely led to the October 15, 2010, crash of a Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter. NTSB found that the pilot's "inadequate preflight planning and decision-making" resulted in the Bell 206B JetRanger running out of fuel and losing engine power. Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Joe Schuengel, 47, was killed when the helicopter plunged into a subdivision.
Carabineros de Chile accepted its fifth AW109 Power light twin helicopter last month. The aircraft's primary responsibilities are public safety, crime control, counter-terrorism, drug control and border security across the nation. For the last four years, their AW109 Power fleet have been effectively and successfully supporting these missions as well as performing search and rescue and transport. The latest expansion will further enhance the operational capability of the Carabineros de Chile and its ability to serve the community.
Pima County (AZ) Sheriff's Department (PCSD) accepted the first AS350 B3e to a law enforcement agency in the United States during a ceremony at American Eurocopter's Grand Prairie Delivery Center last month. One of the most notable features on the new model is the powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine with dual-channel digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control). The upgraded engine enhances the aircraft's performance and system management and enables the AS350 B3e to operate at maximum takeoff engine power for up to thirty minutes.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command received the 2012 Public Safety Government Partner of the Year Award from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce last month. Over 1000 guests, comprised of the public safety community, business leaders, elected officials, and media, attended the 38th Annual Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards Luncheon. The Public Safety Government Partner of the Year Award, sponsored by Motorola Solutions, recognizes a federal, state or other governmental agency that strengthens Montgomery County public safety agencies through outstanding leadership and collaboration to ensure a positive and integrated response to challenges that impact the National Capitol region.
The Anderson County (SC) Sheriff's Office helicopter played a key role in showing emergency responders the extent of the damage done last month when a CSX freight train carrying chemicals derailed. Crews were able to see from the helicopter that one of the 28 derailed train cars was leaking propanediol, a derivative of soybean oil that is used in antifreeze and in laundry products. State environmental officials said the leak was contained and the chemical did not pose a threat to public health.
Lake County (IN) Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit is advertising for any takers willing to purchase three of the county's helicopters. On the block are a flyable Bell OH-58 JetRanger and two non-flyable JetRanger shells.
Awarded by the leadership of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and its Aviation Committee, nominations are now being accepted for their Excellence in Police Aviation Award.
Anne Arundel County (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit and Howard County (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit will co-host this year's Northeast Region Safety Seminar in Annapolis, MD. The safety seminar will take place May 1-3, 2012. Discounted room rates of $116 at the Doubletree Hotel are available until April 18th. Call 410-224-3150 to make reservations.
