January 2007

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

ALEA  E-Newsletter

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Bird Crashes Into Sheriff Chopper

A large bird struck the Fresno County (CA) Sheriff's Department helicopter in mid-December, crashing through the right side of the windshield and landing on the helmet of the flight officer. The pilot made an emergency landing on the helipad at University Medical Center. The Sheriff's Department says the flight officer was "shaken up" but is expected to be fine. The pilot was uninjured, but the bird did not survive. When the windshield broke, pieces of the Plexiglas windshield flew up and scratched the helicopter blades. It's unknown how long the chopper will stay grounded for repairs.

Source: www.cbs47.tv

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Aircraft Will Establish Unit in North Carolina

The Pitt County (NC) Sheriff’s Office received a 1968 military surplus Bell OH-58C aircraft in December. However, routine maintenance, up-to-date insurance coverage and securing the skills of a pilot are on the "to do" list before its first flight. "We are not rushing," Sheriff Mac Manning said in a news report. "We want to do it right. Safety is our main objective."

When the helicopter finally takes to the air, it will be used for search and rescue, aerial crime-scene photos, spotting illegal drugs and aiding other Pitt County law enforcement agencies. Upkeep and monthly flying costs will be covered by funds from drug seizures.

Source: www.reflector.com

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Caribbean Police To Implement Measures to Reduce Drug Trafficking

With respect to the zero-tolerance mandate on drugs and narcotics, the Caribbean’s Premier Ministry of St. Kitts and Nevis outlined its plans to help prevent the sale of illegal substances. Among the plans is a new police helicopter unit that would operate out of St. Kitts and patrol Nevis on a random basis. Police stations island-wide will be undergoing various renovations and outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to assist police in criminal investigations.

Source: www.sknvibes.com

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Shots Fired At Australian Police Helicopter

Following a high-speed car chase, the driver stopped his car and drew a rifle last month in southwest Australia. As the 19-year-old took the weapon from his vehicle, a public bus with six passengers pulled up. Patrol cars soon arrived at the scene and a police helicopter flew overhead, illuminating the scene with a searchlight. The suspect fired two shots at the patrol car and then shot at the helicopter. Two more shots were fired as police smashed the bus’ emergency window and pulled the driver and passengers to safety. No one was injured in the incident and police did not return fire. A bail application was refused and the suspect was ordered to remain in custody until he appears in court on January 8, 2007.

Source: www.theage.com

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Shanghai to Equip Police with Helicopters

Shanghai, China's biggest city, has decided to purchase three new police helicopters. The aircraft will help to police traffic, assist in crime cases, and respond to medical and other emergencies, according to the municipal Public Security Bureau. They will also be used to police nine preliminary Olympic football matches held in Shanghai in 2008. China currently has seven police helicopter fleets, three police airports and 20 police helicopters.

Source: www.chinaview.cn
Photo:  www.cgstock.com

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Wichita Copter Grounded for Drive Train Overhaul

The Wichita (KS) Police Department's MD 500E helicopter was grounded last month to undergo its first major scheduled maintenance. The job will take at least about a month and perhaps as long as three months, depending on parts availability.

Police Chief Norman Williams said he would prefer to have a second helicopter so that one would be available while the other undergoes repair or maintenance. Unless the department gets an unexpected windfall, the department will not be able to put a second helicopter into service until 2008 at the earliest. With homeland security grant monies, however, the current helicopter will soon have improved night-vision equipment.

Source: www.kansas.com

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Maintenance Contract Awarded for Kuwait Police

Police Aviation Services, which already provides extensive support to the United Kingdom police agencies, has recently been awarded the Police Air Wing engineering contract for the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait. The Air Wing operates two EC 135 and two AS 365 Dauphins on a round-the-clock basis out of Kuwait City. The new contract involves a significant number of staff providing a full range of maintenance, logistics and technical services.

Source: www.specialist-aviation.com

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Surplus Aircraft Received for Parts

Two and a half years ago, the Monroe County (MI) Sheriff's Aviation Unit received a military surplus helicopter, and last month, they received a second aircraft. The 1970 OH58C Kiowa will be used strictly for parts, however.

The first aircraft is known as Raptor, which has been overhauled since its arrival. It has been outfitted with a new engine, paint job and donated search and rescue equipment. In 2006, the Sheriff’s Office used $172,400 in drug forfeiture money for repairs and other expenses to maintain the helicopter. The newest aircraft will save thousands of dollars in parts in case Raptor needs future repairs.

Source: www.monroenews.com

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State Police Aviation Patrol Ready To Go

The Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Patrol Unit is now operational at the Altoona Airport in Blair County. The primary service area for this aviation unit covers nearly 6,600 square miles in nine neighboring counties. The unit's helicopters will now be able to reach any point in the area within 30 minutes.

Source: www.WJACTV.com

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Agusta-Westland Sales Up In Middle East

Helicopter manufacturer Agusta-Westland reported that its Middle East sales are up 15 percent this year, with around $266.1 million likely to be generated. The company has also inked a deal with Abu Dhabi Aviation to provide a spare parts center at the facility where Agusta-Westland helicopters will be assembled. Abu Dhabi Police will buy eight A-139 helicopters next year.

Source: www.ameinfo.com

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Council Approves Hoists

The Metropolitan King County (WA) Council approved spending $203,000 last month to equip the county's Guardian One sheriff's helicopter with a rescue hoist. The lack of a hoist was highlighted recently when searchers in the helicopter located a lost snow skier in the Cascades east of Seattle, but had to call in a Navy helicopter with a hoist to rescue her in the rough terrain.

Source: www.komotv.com

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Goodrich Hoist & Winch Users Conference Announced

Goodrich Hoist and Winch Users Conference will take place on February 26-28, 2007 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The conference will focus on operational experience with hoist products. Both operational and technical forums will be held for the purpose of exchanging information, observations and concerns as well as lessons learned. In addition, hoist maintenance training will be conducted. These dates and venue were chosen to coincide with the Helicopter Association International’s (HAI) Heli-Expo from March 1-3, 2007. For registration information, please contact Ellen Hwang at 909-569-0354.

Source: Goodrich Hoist

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Long-term Contract For Police Departments in the UK

A Eurocopter EC135T2i helicopter will now be available to the South Wales and Gwent Constabularies for 24-hour operations under a seven-year contract with Bond Air Services. The company will provide for full operational and back-up helicopter support, including aircraft, pilots, engineers and base facilities. "The award follows detailed evaluation by the South and East Wales Air Support Consortium of the options to contract full services or purchase an aircraft and sub-contract its operation and maintenance. The full service option provides financial benefits and increased levels of availability through access to the back-up aircraft,” said Allan Williams, Head of Procurement at Gwent Police.

Earlier this year, Bond was also awarded a seven-year contract, effective July 2007, to provide and operate a night vision equipped EC135T2i helicopter, with pilots and engineers and an identical back-up helicopter to the Strathclyde Police in Scotland.

Source: www.shephard.co.uk

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Mechanic Shortage Limits Tucson Helicopter Use

The lack of a mechanic is keeping the Tucson Police Department’s pilots from attacking crime from the air as much as they would like. The city has three helicopters, but one is not flying because the police department's two helicopter mechanics can't keep up with maintenance and repairs. The department's 40-year-old fixed-wing aircraft is grounded for lack of funds. It is hoped that an additional helicopter mechanic would allow the department to increase flying time. Currently, the unit patrols about 3,200 hours per year between the hours of 4 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Source: www.tucsoncitizen.com

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Upcoming Regional Safety Seminars:
Make Plans Now to Attend!

January 22-24, 2007 in Jacksonville, FL
If you haven’t registered yet, sign up now! Complete registration details are available via the ALEA website. For additional information, please contact Southeast Region Director Ralph Groover at (407) 667-6203 or e-mail him at rgroover@alea.org.

April 4-6, 2007 in Columbus, OH
If you haven’t registered yet, make plans now to attend! Complete registration details are available via the ALEA website. For additional information, please contact Eastern Region Director Phillip Bender at (614) 761-7894 or e-mail him at pbender@alea.org.

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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 2007 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.
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