October 2005

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

ALEA  E-Newsletter

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2006 ALEA Annual Conference in New Orleans

We are confident that New Orleans will be ready to host the 2006 ALEA Annual Conference and Exposition next July. We are monitoring the situation very closely, however, and will make a final decision in a few weeks as we verify the restoration progress with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The main areas that we will be using, the Morial Convention Center and the French Quarter, will be back in business very soon as they did not flood. The Fairmont Hotel is only a half mile from the Convention Center and they should be open for business very soon as well.

Hang in there with us – New Orleans needs our business and support!

Sherry W. Hadley, CAE
ALEA Executive Director

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MD Helicopters Hires David Oglesbee

David Oglesbee has been named Vice President of Sales for MD Helicopters (MDHI). MDH hopes Oglesbee's experience will help pave the path as MDHI seeks new inroads in the domestic helicopter market.

Oglesbee comes to MDHI from Bell Helicopter Textron, where he served most recently as Director of Marketing and Sales for non-DoD government customers with emphasis on homeland security. He has been recognized as one of the top two sales people at the company. Previously, Oglesbee had served as a US Army Aviator, chief pilot for the Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff's Department and chief pilot for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Source: MD Helicopters

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Phoenix Police Select the A119 Koala

Agusta Aerospace Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of AgustaWestland, has been selected to provide the Phoenix Police Air Support Unit with two new high performance single engine A119 Koala helicopters. This selection takes place just a few months after the Phoenix Police & Fire Departments took delivery of their first multi-role twin engine A109 Power helicopter. The Koala helicopters will be configured with new high tech mission specific electronic equipment for the law enforcement role.

The Air Support Unit was established in 1973, with one helicopter and now operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The Koala’s will be replacing ageing MD520N helicopters that the unit currently operates. This change will allow the unit to expand their mission capabilities. Mission expansion is more critical than ever, now with the ever changing world situation and the rapidly changing face of law enforcement. The Phoenix Police Air Support Unit has procured an aircraft that will meet their mission of today and is fully capable of mission expansion to meet the unknown missions of the future.

Source: Agusta Aerospace Corporation

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"Hurricane Katrina has greatly impacted this country on many levels," said MRC President Tony Finizio. "The devastation is immense. We’re providing microwave and satellite equipment to broadcasters and public safety organizations, in this case Hearst Argyle, to help with their communications efforts. MRC is also providing technical expertise."

Hearst Argyle is using the MRC Mantis 1.2m Flyaway System, which includes a high performance 1.2m Carbon Fiber Flyaway Antenna along with EXOS baseband and RF electronics. The baseband and RF electronics system is configured with an EXOS MPEG-2 Digital Video Exciter, Satfinder, L-Band to Ku-band Block Upconverter, 50W SSPA and an EXOS Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD).

"MRC has a consistent track record of charitable work and contributions," MRC President Tony Finizio added. "In recent years substantial contributions include NY broadcasters in order to rebuild after 9/11; for military requirements to assist with the arduous communications tasks in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are committed to continuing efforts that aid in a quick recovery and rebuilding of the area."

Source: Microwave Radio Communications

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On July 29th, Bell Helicopter Textron was awarded a $3 billion contract to build 368 armed reconnaissance helicopters for the U.S. Army. Bell plans to equip these aircraft with infrared sensors built by FLIR Systems. The IR deal alone is worth up to $250 million over a four-year period starting in 2008.

Source: Investor's Business Daily

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Central Region Safety Seminar Just Around The Corner

The ALEA Central Region Safety Seminar will be held in Dallas, Texas, November 9-11, 2005, at the Adam's Mark Dallas.  Dallas Police Department, Garland Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety are co-hosting this educational seminar and would like to invite you to attend.

An optional tour of the "Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza" – JFK Assassination will depart from the hotel lobby, Wednesday at 1:00pm and return by 4:00pm – transportation provided.

The Seminar will officially begin Wednesday night with an ALEA-Sponsored Cocktail Reception from 5:00 - 7:00pm in the exhibit hall. The exhibit hall will also be open on Thursday from 8:00am – 5:00pm.

All meals – Wednesday evening thru Friday morning are sponsored.

The packed agenda includes:

• Aviation Risk Management - ALEA

• Police Aviation Accident Reviews– FAA

• Night Vision for Aircraft – San Diego PD

• Fixed Wing Operations – Texas DPS

• Tour of the "Frontiers of Flight Museum" at Dallas' Love Field

• Thermal Imagery Operations and Theory - Dallas & Garland PD's

• Avoiding Small Arms Fire – U.S. Army

• Night Confined Area Operations – PHI Air Medical

• Swift Water Rescue – Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

You can view the complete seminar schedule online.

For more information contact Greg Bourland, Central Region Director.

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The Huntington Beach Police Department, located in one of Southern California's most densely populated areas, has ordered its fourth MD 520N®.

The department has operated MD 500 series helicopters for most of its 33-years in operation. The new MD 520N replaces a similar model that has accumulated more than 13,000 flight hours. Cumulatively, the department has flown more than 100,000 hours over its history, with just over 22,000 hours in NOTAR®-equipped aircraft.

Source: MD Helicopters
Photo by: Glenn Grossman

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FAA - Risk Assessment Programs For EMS

The FAA has published a report entitled "Operational Risk Assessment Programs For Helicopter Emergency Medical Services", targeting the commercial U.S. rotary wing EMS community. The 20-page document is available for download and includes: review of recent accident data, basic concepts used in a risk management/assessment program, risk assessment program configurations and examples of risk assessment and management processes.

An Advisory Circular provides guidance and information to establish minimum guidelines for Air Medical Resource Management (AMRM) training. This 18-page document is available for download and focuses on training for all air medical service operations team members, including pilots, maintenance technicians, flight nurses, flight paramedics, flight physicians, medical directors, specialty team members (such as neonatal teams), communications specialists (dispatchers), program managers, maintenance staff, operational managers, support staff, and any other air medical team members identified by specific needs.

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Oakland County Sheriff Orders Gyrocam® IR

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit, based in Pontiac, Michigan, recently purchased the Gyrocam® IR for installation on their A-Star 350 helicopter.

The Gyrocam IR combines thermal imaging with a high resolution color camera in a single, lightweight gimbal. The 800-line, 3-chip color camera provides clear, crisp images, recording every detail in all weather conditions. The integrated 3 to 5 micron infrared sensor can capture differences in heat signatures in either traditional black and white, or as color enhanced images.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Aviation unit, formed in June 2001, is available to every County police department 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Source: Gyrocam Systems

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Hawthorne Partiers May Pay For Helo Responses

City officials in Hawthorne, California are considering the use of police helicopters to help officers quiet large, rowdy parties. The City recently approved a 50 percent increase in the maximum cost recovery fee for police responses. After a "free" warning from ground officers, home owners and party hosts could be fined up to $1,500 per incident. Officials say this would cover the cost of air support flights over such "loud, unnecessary and unusual" parties.

Source: Daily Breeze

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Eurocopter Gets "Green Light" To Claim A-Stars "Made-in-America"

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Eurocopter’s application to build A-Star 350 B2 and B3 helicopters at American Eurocopter’s 85,000 square foot facility in Columbus, Mississippi. 1,127 AS350 B2 and B3's have been sold in 45 countries to 587 customers.

Initially, American Eurocopter will build over 30 AS350s annually at its Mississippi plant; with future production increases being linked to sales. In addition, the facility will manufacture parts and subassemblies for other Eurocopter aircraft such as the twin engine AS355 and 365 Dauphin; and continue to customize other Eurocopter helicopter models such as the EC120, EC135, EC145 and EC155. Should American Eurocopter win the DoD contract for the U S Army and National Guard UH145 light utility helicopter requirement, they will also be built in the U.S.

American Eurocopter’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, TX.

Source: American Eurocopter

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Matthew Zuccaro to Serve as New HAI President

The Helicopter Association International announced that Mr. Matthew Zuccaro will begin serving as the new HAI president on November 1, 2005. Mr. Zuccaro will replace President Roy Resavage. Currently, Mr. Zuccaro is the president of Zuccaro Industries, LLC, which provides domestic and international aviation consultation services, specializing in helicopter related issues.

During his 35-year career, Mr. Zuccaro has held several executive level and operations management positions, with commercial, corporate, scheduled airline, and public service helicopter operations in the northeastern United States. During his tenure with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, he served in operations management positions at Kennedy International Airport and the Port Authority’s public and private heliports.

Mr. Zuccaro is a former Chairman of HAI. During his 20-year association with HAI, he served as Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer, as well as a Director for six years, and Special Advisor to the HAI Board. Mr. Zuccaro was instrumental in a number of key HAI initiatives, to include the relocation of HAI to its current headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and the revision of HAI’s by-laws. Additionally, he has served as the chairman or member of many HAI committees, as well as numerous industry research and task force groups.

Mr. Zuccaro is a past president and chairman of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC). For the past 10 years he has served as a special advisor to ERHC’s Board of Directors. In this capacity he has actively represented ERHC and its members in the promotion, development, and retention of heliports, community interface, public relations, regulatory, airspace, and infrastructure issues.

Mr. Zuccaro received his initial helicopter flight training as a U.S. Army aviator and served with the 7/17 Air Calvary unit in Vietnam, for which he was awarded several commendations to include, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, and 19 Air Medals. He was subsequently assigned as a flight instructor at the Army Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Mr. Zuccaro holds Airline Transport Pilot and Instrument Flight Instructor certificates for both airplanes and helicopters. He is a recipient of HAI’s "Salute to Excellence" Augusta Community Service Award and 10,000-Hour Helicopter Pilot Safety award, as well as numerous other industry awards for his efforts and commitment to the helicopter industry.

Source: HAI

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F.O.P. Backs Shenandoah Valley Helo Plan

With local law enforcement officials wrestling over the high cost of a proposed regional air unit, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 24 has voiced support for the project. Rockingham, Augusta, and Page Counties plus the City of Staunton, Virginia would share the aircraft and operating expenses.

In July, Ed Bright, a retired police officer and president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 24, proposed a $1-million plan to be funded by local agencies to purchase a new helicopter. But authorities nixed that plan for financial reasons.

The most recent proposal would provide for 100-hours of leased R-44 time at a cost of $50,000 per agency. Campbell Aircraft Services in Weyers Cave would operate the aircraft and provide three pilots, while tactical flight officers would come from participating agencies.

If the lease proposal is approved, local agencies that have not yet committed to the project would have six-months to become participants.

The short-term plan is to form an official board committee to make decisions for the consortium by the end of this month, with the aspiration of launching an operational aircraft by next March.

Sources: Daily News Record and WHSV-TV

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Virginia Beach Considers New Police Helicopter

An unexpected $10.4 million budget surplus has the Virginia Beach, Virginia City Council considering a new police helicopter. The plan calls for $1.9 millions dollars of City money to be spent on the aircraft with an additional $1 million coming from federal drug asset seizure funds. The budget surplus occurred when actual spending levels dropped below those projected, and tax revenues came in higher. The Council will cast a final vote on the new aircraft November 1st.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot

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Nominations for ALEA Offices 2006 / 2008

The nomination period for ALEA elected offices to serve the term July 2006 thru July 2008 will be open from November 1, 2005 to December 15, 2005.

The following offices will be open for nomination:

• VICE PRESIDENT

• SECRETARY

• EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR

• NORTHEAST REGION DIRECTOR

• WESTERN REGION DIRECTOR

Region directors shall be elected by members residing in that region and the Director must reside in the Region which he is elected to represent.

Nominations must be submitted by post, facsimile or e-mail and must be addressed to the ALEA Secretary. Please insure nominations indicate the following:

• Name of nominee

• Position person is being nominated for

• Person making the nomination

Both the person being nominated and the person making the nomination must be current members and in good standing in the ALEA.

Nominations must be received or postmarked on or before December 15th, 2005.

Confirmation of the nominations will be provided. The ballots will be distributed by mail on or about April 1, 2006. The ballots will be counted at the next annual meeting during the annual conference in New Orleans, July 19 – 22, 2006

Send your nominations to:
Martin L. Jackson, Secretary
Airborne Law Enforcement Association
Post Office Box 3683
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74101-3683
E-mail: secretary@alea.org
Facsimile: (918) 583-2353

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Gyrocam Helps Student Hurricane Relief Effort

Students of the Bradenton Preparatory Academy recently left for Baton Rouge, Louisiana as part of a relief effort for the victims of hurricane Katrina. With special clearance to land at Baton Rouge Municipal airport, the students dropped off supplies to the victims.

The Bradenton Preparatory Academy’s students raised over $2500 in monetary donations and approximately 2,500 pounds of clothing and nonperishable food items. The funds went towards purchasing water, food, diapers, toiletries, and other supplies that were donated to the Lifeline Foundation in Baton Rouge. Upon arrival, students visited one of the local area shelters to talk to victims.

Gyrocam Systems provided its corporate aircraft and resources such as pilots and fuel to carry out the trip. “It was a great pleasure to work with a student body and faculty that mobilized so quickly to help out the survivors of this desperate situation,” said Ken Sanborn, President & CEO of Gyrocam Systems.

Source: Gyrocam Systems

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For rates and availability, contact:

Jennifer Thornton
ALEA Marketing Manager
Phone (918) 599-0705
Fax (918) 583-2353
E-mail: jthornton@alea.org

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ALEA’s Monthly E-Newsletters are designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry.  Our E-Newsletters are distributed by email, as an additional benefit to our membership. Anyone may join our mailing list.
 

This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. The ALEA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in law enforcement and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of aircraft by law enforcement agencies.

© Copyright 2005 by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the ALEA.

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.
411 Aviation Way
Suite 200
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone (301) 631-2406
Fax (301) 631-2466