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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. Agency Mourns Sudden Loss of Pilot and Friend
Martyna worked as a pilot for the Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office for 10 years prior to becoming a pilot with the Florida Marine Patrol (FWC predecessor) in 1987. In 1999, he was promoted to lieutenant in the FWC's South Region's Aviation Section and operated helicopters. His duties included daily aerial patrols to support law enforcement efforts, and he participated in numerous search-and-rescue missions. As an FWC pilot, Martyna was on call 24/7. His colleagues say he had no problem dropping what he was doing to provide immediate response. “Joe was a pilot's pilot,” said Capt. Kevin Vislocky, Martyna's supervisor of 10 years. “Joe lived and breathed the FWC. Anytime, day or night, he'd stop what he was doing to help people and protect the fish and wildlife resources of Florida. He will be greatly missed.” In the final hours of his life, he was doing what he loved: serving the FWC and the public. He was involved in a search-and-rescue mission just before his death. Martyna is survived by his wife, Pam, and his mother. Funeral services were held for him on November 21 in Cooper City, FL. Those who wish to send cards to the family may address them to: The Martyna Family, c/o Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, 8535 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33412. Officer Dies In Arkansas Helicopter Crash; Pilot Hospitalized
The department's Bell OH-58 aircraft is used to patrol violators of the night deer-hunting ban in Arkansas. "They were in the area and saw some lights in the timber. Obviously, it's kind of strange to see headlights at night in the timber, and that piqued their interest and they went in for a closer look," Keith Stephens said with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Carmikle had been at the Game and Fish Commission since 1985 and leaves behind his wife and son. "He loved his work, did it in the way he was trained and the way he felt it was right," Stephens said. "It's been since the 70s that we've lost an officer in the line of duty. When you lose somebody that's in the family of the Game and Fish Commission, it really hits home." While the helicopter managed to land upright, Stephens said there was considerable damage, indicating that the rotor broke off and the fuselage buckled. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are looking into the crash. Source: www.arkansasmatters.com Department Recognized for Helicopter's Vehicle Recovery Tool
“The City of Fort Worth had the very first law enforcement helicopter in the State of Texas equipped with LoJack tracking equipment and has been the pioneer in its use ever since,” said Lt. Paul Henderson, police spokesman. He said between July 2007 and August 2008, the department had helped recover 60 vehicles using the system, about 90 percent of which involved the police helicopter, Air One. “If you're a car thief in North Texas, Air One and LoJack will jack you up,” Henderson said. Source: www.startelegram.typepad.com Trooper Pilot Honored for Rescue
Along with OHP Trooper Joe Howard (pictured above) and Kingfisher Fire Chief Randy Poindexter, Sturgill helped rescue two people in August 2007. The couple had been stranded in their pickup by rising floodwaters, the result of heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin. The rescue received national attention, as it was shown live on television. The couple credits the troopers and fire chief with saving their lives. Source: www.adaeveningnews.com Police Agency Takes Flight in China
SOURCE: www.shanghaidaily.com
Copter Pilot Visits High School Alma Mater
Students of a physical education class greeted the troopers. Vinci explained that he had become interested in flying about three years ago and earned his pilot's license on his own time. "There are 120 different jobs within the state police and over 3,000 troopers," Vinci said to the students. "Being in aviation is a phenomenal job." The Aviation Unit operates helicopters used for searches, surveillance, rescues and pursuits. Source: www.app.com Man Finally Arrested For Shining Laser A 39-year-old California man who allegedly shined a green laser at police helicopters and other aircraft repeatedly over the past three years was arrested last month. The man was arrested at his home shortly after he shined the laser at a Santa Clara Sheriff's Office helicopter. He was charged with 10 counts of shining a laser at an aircraft and faces a maximum of eight years in prison if convicted. Another incident happened in the area last month, as a 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of shining a laser pointer at a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The CHP helicopter was about 1,000 feet overhead when the beam briefly incapacitated the pilot. Another officer onboard spotted where the laser was coming from and ground officers arrested the suspect. SOURCE: www.sfgate.com Baltimore County Police Aviation Unit Trains For Aerial Rescue Operations
To ensure unit members were ready for aerial rescues, the BCPD Aviation Unit selected SRT Helicopters' staff to train them in aerial rescue procedures. In June 2008, SRT set up 10 days of intensive training for aviation unit pilots and aircrews to hone their rescue skills. “I cannot say enough about how pleased we were with the training,” said Officer Donald Coburn. “Every one of the instructors was a real, no-kidding professional in their field. The training was probably some of the best and most demanding that I have been involved with in 15 years.” Patrolman First Class David McVey echoed Coburn's comments. “Every instructor was very personable, professional and an expert in their respective role as pilot, hoist operator or rescuer. The team as a whole brought their professional real world experiences to bear which added realism, control and safety to the training process.” SOURCE: www.lawofficer.com SABLE Receives Grant For Imager
SOURCE: www.wect.com Pilot Shortage Becomes Problem for South Africa
In a written answer to a parliamentary question last month, police say that they have acquired 13 Eurocopter AS350s and six Robinson R44 helicopters since 2000, as well as a Pilatus PC12, a Learjet 31 and a Cessna Sovereign. The Air Wing is also in the process of replacing its old forward-looking infrared cameras with new generation devices. But the available helicopters require those with aviation skills to operate them. “There is a huge shortage of skilled pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers worldwide,” the parliamentary answer, approved by Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa, reads. “SAPS Air Wing is no exception and pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers are constantly lured to the private sector with better remunerative packages and well-structured career paths.” SAPS Air Wing has embarked on its own training program for pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers to fill the gap. Five helicopter pilots, trained by the Air Wing, have already qualified to function as pilot-in-command of SAPS helicopters. Five more are still being trained. SOURCE: www.citizen.co.za UK Laser Incidents Go To Court Last month, a mentally ill man appeared in court and admitted shining a laser pen at the Suffolk Police Authority (United Kingdom) Air Operations helicopter. Two weeks later, a 35-year-old appeared in court accused of recklessly endangering the helicopter by shining a powerful torch at the aircraft so that he could film it in action. On both occasions, the safe operation of the helicopter was compromised as the pilot was unable to see the instrument panel after being dazzled by a bright light in his cockpit. As he passed sentence, the judge said it was important that people realize the danger of shining laser pens and torches at aircraft as it can cause the pilot to lose his night vision and puts the aircraft and crew at risk. SOURCE: www.eveningstar.co.uk NAASCO Reaches Milestone
NAASCO's Mercury Mod enhanced starter generators have saved operators thousands of dollars over the typical OEM overhaul. This modification aids in cooling of the starter generator incorporating an improved fan cover, modified end bells and an improved brush grade also allowing for slower commutator wear. NAASCO will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in May 2009 and has been a pioneer in the overhaul and repair of starter generators. Source: NAASCO Meeker Debuts New Mounts
For information, contact www.meekeraviation.com.
State Police Show High-Tech Survival From Skies
Using aircraft as well as night vision goggles, a global positioning system (GPS) with a coordinated map, a high-intensity spotlight and various pieces of communications equipment, they can often rapidly find someone who is lost or stranded even at night, provided the victim has taken a few precautions. "The biggest mistake people make is not being prepared," said Lt. Michael W. Habel of the MSP Air Wing. "Cell phones are becoming critical in the woods. Most cell phones produced in the last couple of years have GPS installed on them. So for us, the advent of cell phones has meant searches are quicker," he said. The Air Wing conducts more than 1,900 missions annually, including searches, surveillance of large gatherings, and aerial investigations of crime scenes. The group has a fleet of five helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft, which are based at three air locations in the state, including Westover. SOURCE: www.masslive.com Call For Nominations: Only 10 Days Remaining!
Southeast Region Safety Seminar Heads to Florida The Alachua County (FL) Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville (FL) Police Joint Aviation Unit will host the 2008 APSA Southeast Region Safety Seminar at the Hilton University of FL Conference Center on February 2 - 4, 2009. Join your fellow airborne law enforcement professionals for two days of education and networking. Among classes being held will be accident response planning, critical infrastructure patrol, fuel safety, safety management systems, sleep deprivation, spatial disorientation/vertigo and water survival training. Don't delay. Register now at www.alea.org/public/seminars/ or call 301-631-2406 for information.
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Lt. Joseph Andrew Martyna, 54, a pilot with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) died at his home last month of a heart attack. Martyna was an active APSA member and well respected throughout the airborne law enforcement community.
During a routine evening patrol to target illegal game hunters, an Arkansas Game & Fish Commission helicopter crashed last month, killing observer Sgt. Monty Carmikle, 45. Pilot Jerry Fryar is hospitalized and expected to recover.
The Fort Worth (TX) Police Department's Air Support Division received an award from the Texas Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators (TAVTI) last month. The department was given the LoJack Award for their outstanding performance in locating stolen vehicles using technology of the recovery system.
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol helicopter pilot who helped make a daring rescue of a couple stranded by floodwaters has received a national honor. OHP Lt. Brian Sturgill received an Honorable Mention as Parade Magazine named its National Police Officer of the Year. A recognition plaque was presented to him last month at the 115th annual International Association of Chiefs of Police conference.
The Shanghai Public Security Bureau will launch its first helicopter police team soon after it receives two EC135s and one EC155 next month. The helicopters will help to improve security during World Expo 2010 and will be used to hunt criminal suspects as well as assist in anti-terrorist operations. They will also be used to direct ground traffic and help in disaster-relief operations, the Shanghai, China police authority said.
A Bell helicopter landed at a New Jersey high school last month so students could learn how troopers use the aircraft for searches, rescues and other police work. Piloting the aircraft were Troopers Joseph Vinci and Enrique Villa. Vinci, a 1995 graduate of the school, has been a New Jersey State Police trooper for the past seven years and with the Aviation Unit for one year. "I came back to talk to students about my job and how helicopters are used for rescue and police work," said Vinci, 31.
The Baltimore County (MD) Police Department's Aviation Unit expanded its mission capabilities by installing two Breeze Eastern HS 29700 electric rescue hoists with a 450-lb. load capacity this year. The unit has requested budget funds for a third hoist system so its entire fleet of AS 350 B3s can handle rescue flights.
The Wilmington (NC) Police Department will soon have a new weapon in its crime-fighting arsenal. The WPD received grant money to pay for a thermal imaging system for the Southeastern Airborne Law Enforcement Unit's OH-58 aircraft. SABLE is a regional partnership that provides airborne support for local law enforcement agencies.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing is growing in fleet size, but the expansion to better fight crime is being hampered by a shortage of pilots and technicians. SAPS Air Wing currently comprises 32 helicopters, including two that were delivered last month. Another four will be delivered next year.
NAASCO Northeast Corporation is pleased to announce its "Mercury Mod" configured starter generators have accumulated over one million combined flight hours on Eurocopter products including the AS350, AS355, AS365, EC120, EC130, EC135 and EC145 helicopters. This milestone was made possible by the extended life achieved by the "Mercury Mod" and NAASCO's proprietary 1,000-hour brush life guarantee.
Meeker Aviation and AirFilm Camera Systems are pleased to announce two new EASA/STCs for EC-135 and EC-145 utility step mounts. The step mounts provide an unprecedented simultaneous payload capacity and include four styles of payload arms to accommodate all the most popular sensors, cameras or searchlights. They are proven and tested on four continents.
If you plan on spending time in wooded areas where you could get lost, a well charged cell phone is a crucial piece of equipment to carry, as is a flashlight. That's the message that members of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing delivered last month from their Westbrook base. They showed the public one of their search aircraft and some of the tools that help them look for lost or stranded people, something they were called on to do 88 times in the first six months of this year.
The nomination period for APSA elected offices to serve the term of July 2009 through July 2011 is open now until December 15, 2008. Nominations are being accepted for the offices of President, CFO, Central Region Director, Canadian Region Director and Southeast Region Director. To see if you qualify or to nominate someone, visit our website or contact APSA Secretary Martin Jackson at
