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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. Australian Aircrews Help In Massive Flooding
The Western Australia Police Air Wing (PAW) responded to calls for assistance as the river levels rose on December 18. During the next three days, the agency's BK117 conducted 42 day and night hoist rescues and recovered 45 people (including an 11-day-old baby) from rooftops, vehicles and isolated properties. The helicopter was also used to conduct reconnaissance flights and to drop supplies in isolated properties. The PAW Jandakot-based Pilatus PC12 was also utilized to carry supplies and relief crews as well as to refuel the BK117. The refuelling system designed locally for PAW allows the PC12 to land at remote locations and refuel the helicopter via a small electrical pump from the PC12's fuel system. This was the first opportunity to use this system in the field. The logistics and sheer size of the affected area was massive, which exercised the unit's full resources. In mid-2011, the PAW will take delivery of a Eurocopter AS365 to further increase the unit's capability. Source: Western Australia Police Air Wing (PAW) Pilots Hospitalized After Laser Strike
Source: www.naplesnews.com Collision with Bird Forces Emergency Landing
The Aviation Services program is staffed as an “ad-hoc” support team, available on an as-needed basis. Ongoing training allows the team to provide critical mission support in airborne law enforcement and emergency management. Source: www.oregonlive.com Poachers Turn Dazzling Spotlights on Helicopter
Sgt Jenkins said there were strong links between poaching and organized crime. "I have yet to meet a poacher who doesn't have a criminal record. There is a connection because often we see thefts of equipment and diesel from farms a day or so after poachers have been in the same area." Source: www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk Orlando Man Faces Sentence For Pointing Laser
Source: www.orlandosentinel.com
Register Now for Public Use Aircraft Meeting
For those who cannot attend in person, the meeting will be broadcast over the Internet; registrants will be provided with access instructions and a password on Tuesday, January 18. Internet participants will be able to submit questions and comments electronically during the meeting. Estimated start time will be 1:00 p.m. EST. Anyone interested in attending the meeting in person or participating via the Internet must register in advance. To access the registration form, check herewww.rotor.com/HiddenForms/PublicAircraftMeeting.aspx. HAI and the FAA encourage directors of operations, chief pilots, directors of maintenance, and pilots of Part 135 air carriers, and entities contracting aircraft in support of public aircraft operations to participate in this important meeting. Source: HAI Backpackers Rescued In Heavy Rain
Source: www.ksby.com
Dallas Police Completes Equipment Upgrade
URS also installed the downlink equipment for the Dallas Police Department's ground and mobile units and provided training for these systems. The installation of the downlink system can now provide real-time images to command staff, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of critical incident management operations. Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions Mexican Police Drone Plane Crashes
“The plane is ours, and if it did violate U.S. airspace, it was only because of a mechanical malfunction,” said Ricardo Alday, a spokesman for the Mexican Embassy. He added that the flight was part of a coordinated operation and that the Mexican Federal Police had kept American law enforcement officials informed about it. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the accident. Source: www.nytimes.com Police Helicopter Lands Onto Freeway
After skidding about 100 yards, the pilot was able to land the 3-year-old Schweizer “Blue Eagle” helicopter successfully and nobody was injured during the incident. However, the emergency landing tied up traffic for hours near San Antonio International Airport. Chief William McManus said the aircraft was just shy of the airport's edge but did not have enough power to reach it or the adjoining open space, less than 300 yards away. Source: www.upi.com Port Authority Police Eliminate Airborne Services
Source: www.recordonline.com Malaysia Takes Delivery of Three Aircraft
Source: www.defpro.com
Don't miss the 2011 Southeast Region Safety Seminar that will take place January 26-28 in St. Augustine, FL. Among the many educational sessions offered such as airborne threats, fuel handling, obstacle avoidance and safety training, there will be an optional Water Survival Course for $30 available on Wednesday the 26th. Also on Wednesday, a Unit Commander's Forum will be held from 1300 to 1600 hours. This forum is an excellent opportunity to network with other aviation unit commanders and discuss issues of specific concern. All unit commanders are encouraged to attend. The St. Johns County (FL) Sheriff's Office is hosting the safety seminar. All of the classes will take place at the host hotel, Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. Please direct any questions to Kevin Vislocky at kvislocky@PublicSafetyAviation.org. |
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The town of Carnarvon in Western Australia recently suffered the worst flooding it has experienced in 50 years. The region was hit by a monsoonal low that delivered more rain in a single day than the region's annual rainfall. This resulted in the Gascoyne River, normally dry at this time of the year, bursting its banks and cutting off many remote locations. 
Two teenagers face felony charges after pointing a laser light at a police helicopter on New Year's Day. While patrolling at 500 feet, the pilots of the Collier County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit aircraft were hit by the green laser beam. They each suffered ruptured blood vessels in their left eyes and were treated at a local hospital.
A Lane County (OR) Sheriff's Office Aviation Services helicopter apparently collided with a large bird at 1,800 feet while on a training flight last month. The pilot of the MD 500E helicopter landed in an open grassy field after the tail rotor started malfunctioning. The helicopter, operated by two volunteer pilots, landed safely. There were no injuries or property damage.
Poachers in England tried to evade arrest by directing powerful lights at a chasing Humberside Police Department helicopter. The poachers were in a vehicle fitted with lamps for nighttime poaching and they turned the lamps on a police car and then on a police helicopter. "Overall, this went on for a 30-minute period," said Humberside Police Sergeant David Jenkins. "Endangering an aircraft is an offense and carries a five-year prison sentence," he added.
A 43-year-old man faces up to 20 years in federal prison for pointing a laser at an Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office helicopter and temporarily blinding the pilot. Last month, the man signed a plea agreement in federal court admitting guilt to a count of interfering with the operation of an aircraft in April 2010. The light beam illuminated the cockpit and blinded the pilot, who lost temporary sight of the aircraft's instrumentation and horizon. The man illuminated the cockpit a second time, and the tactical flight officer saw the laser beam was coming from a vehicle. Court records show that the man is set to formally enter his guilty plea before a judge on January 19. 
Helicopter Association International (HAI) President Matt Zuccaro will host a forum on public aircraft in Alexandria, VA on January 20, 2011 in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration and industry participants. HAI will facilitate the January 20 forum to address industry-developed questions and related information pertaining to public aircraft operations. 
Three hikers went home safely last month after being rescued during intense rain by the Santa Barbara County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit. The hikers had planned a weeklong backpacking trip and had not anticipated the serious storms. The police aircrew said they decided to take advantage of the short window of opportunity in between storms to conduct a search and rescue operation before the water rose any higher. The helicopter located all three backpackers in good condition.
United Rotorcraft Solutions recently completed the Dallas (TX) Police Department Helicopter Unit's upgrade on its two Bell 206 B3 helicopters. The upgrades were made possible by a federal grant and included a BMS digital video microwave system, upgrade of existing L-3 Wescam camera system and auto-tracking, Avalex digital video recorder upgrades, and AFS engine inlet barrier filters. 
An unmanned aircraft belonging to the Mexican Federal Police crashed in a residential neighborhood in El Paso, Texas last month. No one was injured and the seven-foot Orbiter Mini UAV System was quickly returned to the Mexican government. The drone was following a specific target across the Rio Grande when its operators lost control because of a mechanical malfunction, officials said. 
A San Antonio (TX) Police Department helicopter lost power and made an emergency landing on a busy freeway on December 30. The helicopter crew was headed to the northern part of the city in response to a call when they experienced an engine failure.
The New York Port Authority Police Department sold its two Sikorsky helicopters and eliminated its airborne services unit. The action, formally authorized last month, followed a cost-benefit analysis that showed the helicopters were used primarily for routine aerial patrol rather than emergency response. The New York Port Authority adopted a $12 billion budget for 2011, which calls for zero growth on the operating side and funding to keep priority capital projects moving forward. The sale netted $4.3 million. 
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) accepted three AW139 helicopters during a ceremony held last month. The aircraft will be used to perform search and rescue, coastal patrol and airborne law enforcement duties around Malaysia's extensive coastline. The MMEA's AW139 aircraft are fitted with latest mission equipment including a FLIR, NVG-compatible cockpit lighting and an automatic flight control system with SAR modes. 
Randal “Randy” Rowles recently earned Master Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) Helicopter accreditation from Master Instructors LLC. The Master CFI designation is a national accreditation recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration in which candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth and service to the aviation community, as well as passing a rigorous evaluation by a peer Board of Review. Rowles first earned professional accreditation in 2005 and he is the first aviation educator to earn the new Master CFI-Helicopter designation. 
For the last 26 years, the Manatee County (FL) Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has co-sponsored an event called “Flight to the North Pole” that brings Santa together with local children suffering from life-threatening or special health problems. Last month, 130 sick children enthusiastically greeted Santa and the MSCO Aviation Unit flight crew as they landed at the airport. Many local businesses, organizations and individuals contributed time, talent, gifts and money to again make this a memorable public service event.
Register Now! APSA Safety Seminar in St. Augustine, Florida!
