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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. Rio Gangs Shoot Down Helicopter; Kill Three Officers On Board
Hundreds of police officers were sent into the area to end the fighting and to capture the perpetrators. Three suspects were killed after they opened fire on police who were searching for gang members linked to shooting down the police helicopter. There were 29 deaths resulting from this violence, the city's worst recent outbreak. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promised to deploy federal police and allocate $60 million in aid to Rio de Janeiro after the weekend shootout that raised questions about the city's ability to host safe 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Rio de Janeiro's governor, Sergio Cabral, told reporters that the funds would be delivered over six months and would be used for an armored helicopter and other security investments. Source: http://online.wsj.com Colorado Police Agency Tests UAV Benefits
Ben Miller, who is heading up the testing program, said the sheriff's office obtained the aerial device about two months ago after a lengthy permitting process with the Federal Aviation Administration. The process requires demonstrating the ability to deal with a number of potential liabilities. As a result, the helicopter can only be flown outdoors at the Mesa County Landfill. “You have to prove safety to the FAA,” Miller said. Operating the helicopter outdoors also requires the sheriff's office to submit a “Notice to Airmen” with the FAA. The notice must be filed 24 hours ahead of the scheduled flight, said Sheriff Stan Hilkey. Some other guidelines include altitude and nighttime restrictions. “We just can't go out and fly it,” he said. While the restrictions can be cumbersome, the sheriff's office is using the testing process to gather information that could eventually lead to the UAV being approved by the FAA for daily use by law enforcement. The sheriff's office is the fourth, non-federal law enforcement agency in the country to test the UAV. Source: www.gjfreepress.com Stimulus Grant To Fund State Police Copter
The state police's current helicopter, an OH-58 Bell, has been kept functioning largely because of spare parts from a second aircraft over the past few years, and new parts were becoming difficult to locate. In 2008, the agency declined more than 40 flight missions because of maintenance issues or equipment malfunctions. "We knew the life expectancy of this particular helicopter was coming up," Sadler said of the aircraft, which was acquired in 1996 from the military after it was discarded. "The clock was ticking." The helicopter, which was manufactured in 1972, also is not properly equipped for dropping rescuers into hard-to-reach areas, a limitation that has had deadly consequences, Sadler said. ASP provides the only 24-hour search-and rescue helicopter to assist local law enforcement. About 75 of its more than 100 flights in a year are to assist local agencies. "All it's going to take is for one life to be saved to make it worth it," Sadler said. Source: www.arkansasonline.com Arson Attack Grounds UK Helicopter
Merseyside Police Superintendent Jonathan Roy said, “The prompt response by police officers and aircrew and recently enhanced security measures prevented this from becoming a more serious incident. In addition, outstanding action by all the officers involved resulted in the arrest of three men without injury to any member of the public.” The attack means the helicopter is grounded. Air cover is being provided by another force while the helicopter is repaired. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk Phoenix Police Air Support Unit Adds Another A-Star
“When we started the process to add another helicopter to our fleet, we knew that it was imperative to meet the performance needs of our expanded mission profile as well as the fiscal needs of our department,” said Dave Harvey, Phoenix Police Air Support Unit Commander. “The AS350 provides us with the performance we need as well as better manageability and lower operating costs.” Source: American Eurocopter Teenager Apologizes To UK Crew That He Lased
Two of the aircrew explained the impact his behavior had on their safety and the potentially tragic consequences of his actions, showing him the Eurocopter used by both South Wales and Gwent Police Departments. The pilot, Captain James Grenfell, said he fully accepted the teenager's apology. "From our meeting, he has learned how dangerous this type of incident can be, and I hope that others will understand the same lesson. After speaking to him, I felt that it was not done maliciously and I fully accept his apology." The Caerphilly's Youth Offending Service said the aim of such meetings is to provide an offender with the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and acknowledge the consequences without humiliating them. Caerphilly cabinet member for the environment, Lyn Ackerman, said, "Restorative justice meetings such as this one can be very positive experiences for all concerned. They really can help reduce stress and fear among victims and can also be very effective in helping to motivate young offenders to turn away from a life of crime." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk SPD Posts Mission Activity Online The Sacramento (CA) Police Department (SPD) has added some features to its website to help citizens find out what the department is doing. When the helicopter is circling an area for a significant period of time, the police department will post details of the mission. The new feature is a helicopter graphic on the left side of the screen that users can click to access the mission log. SPD's Air Unit, known as Air 1, flies two Bell OH-58s. With the addition of daily logs, helicopter location information, Facebook and Twitter presence, SPD hopes to keep the community more informed. Source: www.aopa.org/aircraft Botswana Police Sign Aviation Fuel Contract
Source: www.gazettebw.com Pasadena Upgrades Helicopter's Technology The Pasadena (CA) Police Department's Air Operations Section will receive a thermal-imaging camera and a computer mapping system for its new helicopter that the department expects to receive in the next few months. The helicopter equipment will cost the city approximately $500,000. "We've found guns that people have thrown at night," Sgt. Mike Ingram said, noting that versions of such cameras are already installed in three of the department's current helicopters. Although the city is facing a $10.1 million budget deficit, police officials say the equipment is essential for the new helicopter. "The helicopter equipment is a priority because it's a necessary part of what we do and it needs to go on the helicopter," police Chief Bernard Melekian said. "Part of the process of purchasing new equipment is to get the best technology available, especially given the short shelf life of this stuff." Source: www.pasadenastarnews.com Turbomeca Takes a New Approach to Customer Service
Turbomeca Vice President of Customer Support Leo Morrissette said, “The goal is to provide an optimal level of support to all customers, giving them what they want and when they want it. The service center is a way to reach the broad spectrum of our customer's individuality in the helicopter industry that operates Turbomeca engines.” To obtain further contact information on this new Service Center Network, visit their website atwww.turbomeca-usa.com and click on the “Our locations” tab, then Service Centers. Source: Turbomeca Police in India To Buy Chopper
Spokesman Karamvir Singh said, “The helicopter will soon be handed over to the state police. Its availability will help specialized forces to quicken their response during emergency situations.” Source: www.expressindia.com
Tulsa Grounds Aviation Unit To Save Money
In an emergency situation, the city will ask the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to send one of its helicopters. “The purpose of a police aviation unit is to be a force multiplier, the same reason that we put police officers in cars,” Sgt. Ron Moulton said. “We can't afford to put an officer on every corner, so you put them in a car to give them greater range and more flexibility in their response area. The ultimate of that is the helicopter, where two guys can cover the whole city.” When it was announced that the helicopters would be grounded, police were in the process of installing equipment on them that had been obtained with federal grant money. Now, even though they are grounded, the helicopters still will require regular maintenance to comply with federal standards. Source: www.tulsaworld.com Simulator Allows Pilots To “Fly” Realistic Emergency Scenarios
“This certification will allow our customers to fully utilize our EC135 training program and our EC135 FTD for their training needs,” said Marc Paganini, President & CEO of American Eurocopter. “This is the first full motion, developed on manufacturer product knowledge EC135 simulator in the U.S.” The EC135 CFR Part 142 certification, coupled with American Eurocopter's FAA approved EC135 FTD, enables operators to use training credits to reduce or eliminate in-aircraft training requirements. The use of the advanced simulator allows pilots to ‘fly' realistic emergency scenarios alone as the aircraft commander, maximizing the flying experience and the lessons learned. As a level B FFS, this simulator and approved training program provides a complete training experience. It also reduces the risk of weather or operational related delays, while reducing environmental impact. For more information about any of the American Eurocopter training programs, please contact Mike Sliva atmike.sliva@eurocopterusa.comor (972)-641 3594. HAI “Salute To Excellence” Nominations Wanted
For nearly 50 years, the Helicopter Association International (HAI) has celebrated the outstanding achievements and exceptional merits of individuals and organizations through the “Salute to Excellence” Awards program. HAI will present nine “Salute to Excellence” awards recognizing contributions made to advance the international helicopter community, including airborne law enforcement. For more information on the awards, go to www.rotor.com and click on ‘Membership,' then ‘Salute to Excellence,' or contact HAI's Communications Department at 703-683-4646, or email rotor@rotor.com. Join Us On The Island Next Week
Be A Snowbird: Attend The Southeast Safety Seminar in Tampa, FL Start off the year with some airborne police aviation education and networking in Tampa, FL on January 13-15, 2010. Hosted by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the event will take place at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay with an APSA room rate of $103 per night. Click herehttp://archives.alea.org/public/seminars/index.aspx for the educational lineup and registration information. |
A weekend of violence began last month in Rio de Janeiro when a heavily armed criminal gang from one slum invaded another. A police helicopter was flying over the melee when it was targeted in the slum of Morro dos Macacos and shot down. The pilot struggled to put the helicopter down safely after being shot in the leg by suspected drug traffickers. The aircraft landed hard and burst into flames on a soccer field. Police rescuers pulled three police officers to safety; three others died in the fiery crash.
The Mesa County (CO) Sheriff's Office is performing a series of tests with an unmanned, remote-operated miniature helicopter that weighs in at slightly more than two pounds. Powered by brushless motors and rotor blades mounted at the end of three arms, the mostly carbon-fiber aircraft handles and maneuvers with ease. Attach a thermal imaging or infrared camera and the machine, known as Draganflyer X6, could become a perfect complement to law enforcement personnel on the ground during search and rescue efforts.
Arkansas law enforcement agencies received $9.6 million in federal stimulus grants last month, including $3.5 million for a new Arkansas State Police Aviation Section helicopter. The funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program was badly needed, said state police spokesman Bill Sadler.
A gang tried to torch the Merseyside (UK) Police Department Air Support helicopter after they smashed the window of the department's EC135 and doused the interior with fuel. The 16-mile, high-speed pursuit that followed left one police officer injured, a patrol car in flames, and a major tunnel closed.
Members of the Phoenix (AZ) Police Department Air Support Unit accepted delivery of its AS350 B3 helicopter last month. It is the fourth A-Star for the unit, and it will join a diverse fleet covering the Phoenix area. The unit operates 14 hours a day, seven days a week covering more than 500 square miles and serving over 1.5 million residents. The aviation unit has proven itself as a highly skilled team and its scope has expanded to include search & rescue missions as well as firefighting responsibilities.
A teenager who endangered the lives of a police helicopter crew by shining a laser pen at the South Wales (UK) Police Department aircraft apologized in person to them last month. The meeting was organized by Caerphilly's Youth Offending Service to show the 17-year-old the implications of his actions.
The Botswana (Africa) Police Service and BP Botswana have signed a mulit-million dollar contract for the supply of aviation fuel for the department's three police helicopters. The three-year partnership is meant to ensure sufficient and consistent supply of aviation fuel to the helicopters. Commissioner of Police Thebeyame Tsimako said it was imperative to undertake such an initiative because the helicopters play an important role in the provision of public safety to the nation.
Turbomeca will be qualifying approved service centers around the country where support is needed. Every center will have a close partnership with Turbomeca, undergoing extensive training with up-to-date technical and commercial data as well as adhering to yearly operational and quality audits. The first four service centers in the network are Advanced Helicopter Services in Vacaville, CA; Arrow Aviation in Broussard, LA; Helicopter Services of Nevada in Boulder City, NV; and Westcor Aviation Inc. in Scottsdale, AZ.
The Uttar Pradesh Police in India is set to acquire Dhruv, an advanced light helicopter, for aerial surveillance in violent areas, quick movement of commando units and evacuation of injured people. Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the helicopter has a capacity to carry up to 12 people. During relief and rescue operations, it can accommodate two stretchers and four medical personnel.
Tulsa Police Department Air Support Unit's two helicopters were grounded on October 31 due to budget cuts. Officials have said they will be saving $195,000 for the duration of the fiscal year by grounding the helicopters. The four officers assigned to the unit have been reassigned to patrol divisions.
American Eurocopter received CFR Part 142 certification for its EC135 training program last month. The company plans to add its EC145 and AS350 programs to this certificate, pending FAA approval, in late 2009 and third quarter 2010 respectively.
The 2010 “Salute to Excellence” Awards Call for Nominations deadline has been extended to Thursday, November 12, 2009. HAI members and nonmembers will now have more time to submit nominations and signed acknowledgement forms for one or more of the nine prestigious awards.
The 2009 Central Region Safety Seminar will take place in Galveston, TX on November 11-13, 2009 and be hosted by the Jamaica Beach Police Department. You may book your rooms now at the host hotel, the San Luis Resort. To view the educational lineup or for more detailed information, please visit the APSA website at 
