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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. The Passing of an APSA Founding Father:
After completion of his military service as a fighter pilot, George joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). He was one of DPS's first two pilots and was placed in charge of their helicopter operation in 1967. He then became the department's first chief pilot in 1969. At that time, he worked with Bell Helicopter to demonstrate their helicopter's unique capabilities for law enforcement operations. Through the 1970s, he helped acquire additional aircraft and pilots to meet the Texas DPS' growing needs. George retired from the DPS in 1977 with 30 years of service. Because his father had died at a young age, he never expected to live much past 60 years, so he retired in 1977 at age 55 and figured he had a few years to enjoy retirement. Those few years turned out to be 33 years in good health with wife Dorothy. His three children, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren as well as his police aviation family will miss him. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries NYPD Aviation Crew Honored for Cadet Rescue
The freshmen cadets had gone rappelling on Storm King Mountain and gotten stuck on a narrow ledge. The cadets called 911. Firefighters and other emergency workers went to the mountain but were unable to reach the cadets, who had tied themselves to a tree branch jutting out between rocks. The aircrew of NYPD's Bell 412 helicopter spotted them using infrared devices and night vision goggles. The NYPD crew said the mission was a textbook example of a team effort, as they described working in together in extreme conditions of wind and stress on such a delicate operation. Source: http://newyork.cbslocal.com Police Acquire Light Sport Aircraft for Patrols
The department had hoped to purchase a helicopter, but was unable to due to the cost. However, according to Captain David Williams, the new aircraft will be able to do some of the same tasks as a helicopter, and in some cases, even more. The German manufacturer has agreed to install a video and forward-looking infrared camera and spotlight. In addition, the department also plans to upgrade the panel in the cockpit to an all-digital display. Captain Williams added that, “We will be the first law enforcement agency to utilize a light support aircraft in support of patrol. About the only thing the plane can't do that a helicopter can is land on a road or open field.†Source: www.visaliatimesdelta.com APSA's Awards & Scholarships Open Until May 1
APSA is proud to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty in the name of public safety. There are six awards to honor those who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism in the performance and advancement of airborne law enforcement. Specific details can be found athttp://archives.alea.org/Members/restricted/scholarships/app.aspx. There are 12 scholarships, with a combined worth of $28,000, that are available to children of APSA members. Eligibility and submission requirements can be found at http://archives.alea.org/Members/restricted/scholarships/app.aspx. The awards and scholarships will be presented at the APSA 41st Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans, LA, July 20-23, 2011. Please direct any questions to the Chair of the Awards and Scholarships Committee at dschwarzbach@PublicSafetyAviation.org or to Steve Ingley at singley@PublicSafetyAviation.org or 301-631-2406. Don't delay; submit your nomination or application today! Source: APSA SABLE Welcomes New Sheriff's Department to Program
Wilmington Police Chief Ralph M. Evangelous said that New Hanover County brought a lot to the table and, because of that, the sheriff's department will not have to pay a one-time $25,000 fee to join the program. Instead, New Hanover County will transfer a $275,000 grant that was to be used on the county's now defunct helicopter program. The county's move to join SABLE came after New Hanover County Sheriff Edward J. McMahon announced plans to dissolve the county's helicopter unit because of the economy. The helicopter, a Robinson R44 Raven II, was declared surplus last month and will be sold using GovDeals, an online Internet-based company that sells government surplus and unclaimed property. Source: www.starnewsonline.com Police Program Partnership Dissolved
Costa Mesa has had police helicopters since the 1970s and in 1996 merged with Newport Beach's program to form ABLE. With the program gone, the four Costa Mesa aviation officers involved will be folded back into regular department operations, displacing four less senior officers who will be laid off, city officials said. Source: www.coronadelmartoday.com Chinese Police Aircraft Watch Crowds; Soon To Offer Patient Transfers
Also last month, the Beijing Emergency Medical Center (BEMC) reached a preliminary agreement with the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau on the future use of police helicopters for patient transfers. Reports say that the transfer of patients through commercial flights usually costs too much money. For instance, to transfer a patient from Manzhouli to Beijing, the cost is about 20,000 Yuan ($3,038 USD). Besides the high price, the complex transfer process is another problem that this agreement will address. Source: http://english.cri.cn Cobham EFIS Selected by Los Angeles Police Department
The addition of Cobham's EFIS system will provide superior precision and increased readability resulting in higher dispatch rates, lower operating costs and reduced equipment maintenance expenses. Plus, the display's lighter weight will enable enhanced payload capabilities. Synthetic Vision reduces the pilot's workload and fatigue, and the field-updatable software allows new functionalities to be installed without replacing hardware components. The LAPD responds to more than 46,000 police incidents while logging over 17,000 flight hours every year, thus the demand for reliable equipment and strong customer support. It is imperative that the LAPD aircraft remain on the cutting edge of technology in order to provide constantly improving mission readiness while ensuring enhanced situational awareness and safety. Source: www.cobham.com Zhehiang Police Purchase Aircraft
The top-of-the-line AW119Ke is a leader in the single-engine market and has an excellent performance history, even in extremely hot and high operating environments. The AW139 has the largest cabin in its weight class and is equipped with large sliding cabin doors for quick and easy access. It has a maximum speed of 167 knots and can be quickly deployed to any crime scene or accident location. Source: www.agustawestland.com Mesa County Police Get OK To Fly UAS Anywhere In The County
MCSO is currently testing the Canadian made Draganflyer X6 model. The UAS is on lease at no charge to the sheriff's office, which is leading the way in testing UAS for law enforcement purposes and is one of only a few agencies in the country currently flying UAS. Source: www.suasnews.com Woman Arrested For Shining Laser At Police Helicopters A 34-year-old woman was arrested last month for pointing lasers at police helicopters while they conducted an aerial search in an unrelated incident. The California woman was charged with two felony counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft. The laser incident occurred while a Long Beach (CA) Police Department helicopter was involved in an intensive search for suspects in the shooting of two gang detectives. A Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Department helicopter reported the same laser incident. Officers on the ground identified the location where the laser originated resulting in the seizure of the device. A police press release stated that the laser “was making it impossible for the pilots to continue their assistance in the search. By blinding the operators of aircraft, the act of pointing a laser at an aircraft not only endangers its occupants, but also the community below, putting many lives at risk.†Source: www.lbpost.com Estonian Police and Border Guard Get Third AW139
All three AgustaWestland 139s are based in Tallinn; however, one aircraft will be deployed to a new base once the third aircraft is operational. This latest addition is the first SAR-configured AW139 featuring the Full Icing Protection System (FIPS), allowing flights in known icing conditions with real all-weather capability. Source: http://rotor.com 'Excellence in Police Aviation' Award Seeks Entries
The award will emphasize initiatives to enhance the general level of safety of operations, accident prevention programs and the efficiency and effectiveness of airborne law enforcement. Submissions are to be no more than two pages in length and may be accompanied by explanatory photographs. No video or audiotapes will be accepted. Nominations must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2011. Submit to IACP, Attn: Mike Fergus, IACP Technology Center, 515 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Source: IACP Underwater Survival Team Unveils New Simulator
Despite an economic recession that has affected small businesses across the United States, SSUSA continues investing in the safety and fidelity of its training programs. In keeping with the company's philosophy of high-fidelity training, SSUSA has incorporated surface winds, rain, downwash fans, lightning/thunder, and other acoustic effects into its training, in order to prepare clients not just for the ditching scenarios, but for the environmental situations they could find themselves in following the initial impact. Source: Survival Systems Mumbai Police Request 24 Unmanned Systems
In January, India's Navy announced that it was looking to station a squadron of Israeli-made drones in the northwestern state of Gujarat to help with coastal patrols. A similar squadron has been based in the southern city of Kochi since 2006. Mumbai police were criticized for being under equipped and trained to deal with the deadly 2008 attacks on the city. Improving coastal security and modernizing the police force have been key issues since then. Source: www.uasvision.com Take A Cover Photo; Win An Apple iPad
The entry period starts now and ends on July 1. The winner will be chosen by the Air Beat Committee from the top 10 entries selected by our publishing partners at Wright Publishing Group. The winner will be announced at the General Membership Meeting during the 41st Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans, LA on July 21, 2011. For submission and eligibility details, please visithttp://archives.alea.org/public/airbeat/contest. Attend APSA's Eastern Regional Safety Seminar This Month!
APSA is offering an optional Water Survival Course on Tuesday, March 22 from 0900-1700 to be held in the classroom and hotel pool. There is a nominal $30 fee for members ($45 for non-members). Survival Systems USA, Inc. will teach this course. Any questions, please contact Eastern Region Director Kurt Frisz at (314) 575-4344 or email atkfrisz@PublicSafetyAviation.org. |
George W. Burnup, age 88, passed away on February 13, 2011 due to complications from heart surgery. He was one of the founding fathers of the APSA.
Five New York Police Department Aviation Unit officers involved in a helicopter rescue of two West Point cadets stranded on a cliff in high winds were recognized last month for their heroism. “This is a case where skill, experience and bravery combine to save lives,†said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who handed the officers a certificate of recognition at a ceremony.
Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department, with the help of a homeland security grant, will be purchasing a new, single-engine light sport aircraft. The new Flight Design CTLS will be replacing the existing 1973 Cessna Skymaster and will save the department money in both fuel and maintenance costs. Delivery is scheduled for May or June of this year.
APSA is now accepting nominations for its annual awards and applications for this year's scholarships. The submission deadline is May 1, 2011.
The Southeastern North Carolina Airborne Law Enforcement (SABLE) program board voted unanimously to bring in the New Hanover County Sheriff's Department as the fourth member in the helicopter unit. SABLE is a helicopter-sharing program that began in January 2007 and includes Wilmington and Leland Police Departments and the Pender County Sheriff's Office.
The Costa Mesa (CA) City Council voted last month to pull out of ABLE, a shared helicopter program jointly run by Costa Mesa Police Department and Newport Beach Police Department. Newport Beach Police Chief Jay Johnson said that ABLE (which stands for AirBorne Law Enforcement) was a very “valuable and effective law enforcement tool,†and that it was disappointing to have the partnership with Costa Mesa come to an end. Chief Johnson stated in an email that, “Every city is struggling with making tough budget decisions and we certainly understand Costa Mesa's position. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that Newport Beach would attempt to continue with ABLE in its current form without Costa Mesa.â€
For the first time last month, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau decided to strengthen security surveillance over the popular “temple fair†festival events by using helicopters. Temple fairs offer glimpses of traditional Chinese celebrations for the Lunar New Year, including the lion dance, stilt walking and the tasting of old-fashioned street snacks. During the first three days of the weeklong festival, attendance was over 1.4 million people, up 43% from the same period last year.
The Los Angeles (CA) Police Department (LAPD) chose Cobham last month to supply the Synthetic Vision Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) for their fleet of Eurocopter and Bell helicopters. The LAPD operates a fleet of 19 patrol helicopters. They are a lifesaving, 24/7 force that serves a population base of four million.
Zhejiang Public Security Bureau of China ordered two AgustaWestland helicopters last month. Airborne law enforcement and fire fighters will use the AW119Ke single-engine and AW139 medium twin-engine aircraft. After a long, rigorous evaluation process, these two aircraft were chosen for their performance, operational capabilities, safety and ease of maintenance.
Last month, the Mesa County (CO) Sheriff's Office (MCSO) received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly unmanned aerial systems (UAS), with some restrictions, anywhere in Mesa County, making this the largest flight approval for law enforcement nationally to date. Previously, they had a one-year certificate of authorization (COA) to fly only within a one-mile area at the Mesa County landfill.
The Estonian Police and Border Guard took delivery of their third AW139 medium-twin helicopter last month. This aircraft will perform search and rescue, border patrol, medical missions and utility duties to support the community. The Police and Border Guard is a unified governmental agency within the Estonian Ministry of Interior and are responsible for law enforcement and homeland security in the Republic of Estonia.
Awarded by the leadership of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and its Aviation Committee, the Excellence in Police Aviation Award is presented annually. To be eligible, the nominee should be an individual who holds a management or leadership position in police aviation. The nominee could also be an aviation program or unit that exemplifies excellence in airborne law enforcement.
Survival Systems USA Inc. (SSUSA), a leader in underwater egress training and survival, completed their state-of-the-art Survival Training and Simulation Theatre (STST) at their headquarters in Groton, CT last month. Unlike traditional flat-water training, the new STST provides full environmental replication of the conditions encountered in real open water scenarios by both aviators and mariners. Additional improvements include the first commercially installed Cross Gantry Hoist (XGHT) system, specifically designed for dynamic underwater egress and surface water survival training scenarios.
The Maharashtra State Government has included 24 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on a list of equipment being procured for the Mumbai Police Force. The city's police would become the first force in India to deploy UAS.
The APSA and its editorial team are excited to announce our Air Beat Magazine cover photo contest! Most all of the Air Beat covers are taken by APSA members like you, so get out your digital camera and send us the best three photos you have. The winner will receive a new Apple iPad!
The Columbus (OH) Police Department Helicopter Section will host the 2011 APSA Eastern Region Safety Seminar on March 22-24, 2011. The seminar will take place at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Click here for online registration
