November 2007

Airborne Law Enforcement Association, Inc.

ALEA  E-Newsletter

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Wildfires Hit San Diego County Hard

The devastating wildfires in Southern California have caused at least $1 billion in damage in San Diego County alone, officials reported last month. The fires have destroyed 2,000 homes and caused at least a half-million people to flee, the largest evacuation in state history.

The announcement of San Diego's staggering losses came as President George W. Bush signed a major disaster declaration for California in the wake of wildfires that have so far charred about 480,000 acres. The declaration will make federal funds available to residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The funds can be used for temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

Nearly 50 helicopters and 23 airplanes took flight against the California wildfires. Pilots dropped water on hot spots, specialized foam on stubborn areas, and flame retardant chemicals ahead of fire lines. An unmanned NASA aircraft with high-tech imaging equipment helped locate hot spots. Pilots at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center were remotely controlling the Predator aircraft, outfitted with a thermal-infrared imaging system capable of seeing through thick smoke.

Source: winnipegsun.com
 

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IACP Honors Law Enforcement Aviation

On October 15, 2007, the International Association of Chief’s of Police presented its Bell Helicopter Textron “Excellence in Law Enforcement Aviation” awards at its annual conference in New Orleans, LA. This year, a total of 23 nominations were received and judged by members of the IACP Aviation Committee Awards Sub-Committee. The award categories were Individual Achievement, Small Agency Award (four or less aircraft) and Large Agency Award (more than four aircraft). The winners were:

• Individual Achievement: Captain Kurt Frisz of the Saint Louis County (MO) Police Department.
   
• Small Agency Award: Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Gainesville (FL) Police Department Joint Aviation Unit.
   
• Large Agency Award: San Diego (CA) Police Department.

In addition to the above awards, the IACP honored committee member Chief Timothy Swanson of the Countryside (IL) Police Department for his hard work and diligence in single-handedly initiating the Illinois Regional Air Support Service for the Chicago Metropolitan area. The committee also honored Mr. David Tollet whom recently retired from the IACP. Tollet served as the staff liaison for the Aviation Committee and was instrumental in the achievements of the committee. Each recipient was presented their award by IACP Aviation Committee Chairperson Chief Donald L. Shinnamon (Holly Hill, FL), Mr. Paul Pitts (Bell Helicopter Textron) and William Brown (Director, DEA Aviation).
 

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Cessna To Offer Diesel-Powered Aircraft Next Year

After an extensive market survey and flight-testing, Cessna Aircraft Company announced last month that it will offer the Thielert turbo diesel engine in its Skyhawk 172S aircraft with deliveries set to begin in mid-2008. With increased range and endurance, the Skyhawk TD will offer an ideal solution for special mission applications like flight training, wildlife conservation efforts, traffic reporting and airborne law enforcement.

The Skyhawk TD (turbo diesel) will feature a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) equipped Thielert Centurion 2.0 liter engine. The DOHC (double overhead camshaft) in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine develops 155 horsepower, is certified to operate on Jet-A fuel, is liquid cooled and drives a composite three-blade constant speed propeller. The engine features low specific fuel consumption, electronic engine control systems and improved hot-and-high engine performance.

The new Skyhawk TD will be priced at $298,500 with the G1000 avionics system that includes the GFC700 autopilot. That's only $15,000 more than a similarly equipped 172s with a conventional avgas-burning engine. The TD will have a constant-speed, variable-pitch propeller. It will have a top speed of 130 knots, slightly faster than the 160-horsepower (123 knots) and 180-horsepower (126 knots) versions of the model 172.

Source: www.finanznachrichten.de

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Long Beach Reduces Patrol Hours

Budget cuts have raised concerns among members of the Long Beach Police Department, most notably with the elimination of regular helicopter patrols and the reassignments of two pilots and one observer. The police chief said last month that the department has not officially grounded its Air Patrol Unit, but has limited the number of hours the helicopters will spend in the air until they can be replaced by smaller and more affordable models.

Deputy Chief Robert Luna, who oversees the division that includes the Air Patrol Unit, said that until recently, the department's two EC130s regularly patrolled the skies much like squad cars on the street. One of the EC130s was purchased with asset forfeiture money and the other was secured on lease. But the cost to maintain the bigger helicopters is so prohibitive, the chief said, there was little or no choice but to sell the EC130s and replace them with the smaller MD models. Although Long Beach has already filed its letter of intent to purchase the MD500s, there is an 18-month waiting list and the city must make due in the meantime with the two helicopters it has. Because the department plans to sell both of the helicopters once the MD500s are in place, the decision was made to limit the time the helicopters are in use.

Source: www.presstelegram.com/news

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Recent Rulings for Law Enforcement Use of UAVs

The National Institute of Justice, National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers: Border Research Technology Center, has recently released the following technical bulletin on law enforcements use of UAS:

“Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as UAVs, is a rapidly emerging technology that has exceptional appeal to law enforcement. UAS are considered aircraft. These aircraft can often be flown autonomously and at great distances from the command station. In addition, these aircraft can be very small and still carry enough equipment to provide video downlink capabilities.

The operation of a UAS by a public agency, whether it is federal, state or local law enforcement, is enforced by FAA regulations and federal statutes. With the increase in use of UAS by the military in overseas operations, there has been a significant increase in the number of vendors both producing and marketing these same units to law enforcement. Prior to purchasing or leasing a UAS, please consider the following:

For a public aircraft operation, the FAA holds the position that a Certificate of Authorization (COA) is required to operate UAS in the national airspace. The FAA has stated publicly that COAs would not be issued for use of a UAS over populated areas. Any law enforcement agency operating a UAS will be required to establish their own airworthiness for the UAS. The airworthiness establishment is the responsibility of the agency and not the vendor. Remember, any agency applying for and receiving a COA assumes liability for the entire operation. While vendor information may be used in deeming an aircraft airworthy, it should not be the only information relied upon.

A vendor approaching a law enforcement agency offering to demonstrate a UAS must have an experimental airworthiness certificate issued by the FAA prior to the flight. A vendor cannot rely upon an agency’s COA to fly the aircraft. COAs are only issued for aircraft that qualify as “public” aircraft.

It is not anticipated that the FAA will amend their position on the operations of UAS before the year 2010. However, there are two key activities taking place that will push the airspace access issue forward. The first is that the FAA has agreed to conduct two test projects with major metropolitan police departments. One is Miami/Dade (FL) and the other is the City of Houston (TX). Each of these will provide valuable insight into the difficulties that may exist in operating UAS in urban environments. The other activity is the creation of new regulation for small UAS to fly in the airspace. This recent development is just starting and will be the genesis for getting small UAS flying in a majority of the U.S. without a COA. Rulemaking can take time, however, so stick with the COA process for the next year or two.”

The ALEA is committed to working with the FAA, NIJ, and others on rules and regulations regarding the use of UAS by law enforcement, and plans to participate in a NIJ forum on this subject during the winter of 2007-2008.

Source: National Institute of Justice
 

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Sheriff’s Advisory Council to Help Raise Funds for Copter

By the end of this year, the Monterey County (CA) Sheriff's Office hopes to have air support. Last month, Sheriff Mike Kanalakis met with potential contractors about acquiring, for two years, a fully equipped helicopter to provide support for sheriff's patrol units. "We've been working on this project for years, and this county is long overdue with respect to getting resources available on a permanent basis," Kanalakis said. "We're very short on deputies and this will help fill a gap that's missing."

The two-year pilot project will cost about $500,000 a year, paid through money available for use by the sheriff at his discretion. The Monterey County Sheriff's Advisory Council, a nonprofit organization that has nearly 200 private citizens as members, has also agreed to raise $300,000 for the effort through private donations and fundraising.

Besides helping officers stay safe on the ground with the help of aerial observation, Kanalakis said, the Robinson R-44 helicopter will aid search and rescue efforts, gang task force operations and community relations at special events. It will also have features including forward-looking infrared, a searchlight and microwave downlink.

Source: www.thecalifornian.com
 

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Columbus Pilots Unharmed In Crash

Two Columbus (OH) Police Department officers walked away after their MD369E helicopter went into engine failure last month and crashed on its side in the muddy edge of the Scioto River. The crash left the city with four operable helicopters, said city officials, who were just thankful that no one was hurt. It’s unclear how much damage there was to the helicopter.

The week prior, Columbus City Council approved the purchase of a new police helicopter for $1.3 million. That helicopter was supposed to bring the police fleet back to six, which is what it used to be before CPD retired a helicopter recently. Now, the new helicopter is needed to return the fleet to five.

SOURCE: www.columbusdispatch.com
 

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ATP Offers New Digital Eurocopter Libraries

Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) released its new digital Eurocopter airframe and engine AS 350 series libraries now available on the industry standard ATP NavigatorV® Desktop Viewer. "By providing access to Eurocopter libraries in digital format, ATP continues to be in the forefront offering time-saving productivity tools to the rotorcraft community, and we are the only company offering a combined AS-350 airframe/engine with Turbomeca and Honeywell engine bundle," said Jeff Seiler, Product and Services Manager. "With NavigatorV® the aviation maintenance professional is able to spend more time focused on maintaining the rotorcraft and less time conducting tedious research or loading CDs."

Source: www.atp.com
 

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Austrian Police Force Orders Eight EC135s

The Austrian Interior Ministry signed a purchase agreement for eight Eurocopter EC135 P2i light twin-engine helicopters for police operations. Four of the machines are scheduled to be delivered in March 2008, followed by two each in March and May 2009, respectively.

Designed as light multi-purpose helicopters, the first four EC135s will be operational in time for the 2008 European Football Championship, when they will be able to demonstrate their capabilities. The four EC135s slated for delivery in 2009 will additionally be equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and searchlights. All eight helicopters have roping devices, are qualified for IFR flights, and are fitted with glass cockpits compatible with the use of night vision goggles.

Source: Eurocopter
 

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First AW139 For Estonia Enters Service

AgustaWestland announced last month that the first of two AW139 medium twin turbine engine helicopters ordered by Ministry of the Interior of Estonia for Border Guard has entered service. This AW139, based in Tallinn, will effectively carry out patrols as well as search and rescue operations over the whole territory within the area of responsibility of Estonia. The helicopter, whose procurement is one of the biggest projects to have been accomplished utilizing Schengen Facility program funds, will fulfill one goal of this program: to ensure that the work of guarding the external borders and the border control infrastructure are in compliance with the Schengen zone requirements.

By ordering a second AW139, Ministry of Interior of Estonia has clearly shown its further strengthened reliance on air support capable of setting new standards for disaster relief, SAR and law enforcement missions.

Source: AgustaWestland
 

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Argentina Explores Use of UAVs

Argentina has been awarded a four-month trial contract to explore how a mini-UAV could be used in law enforcement and homeland security roles. The contract is a precursor to a possible Argentine government purchase of a fleet of UAVs. The Argentine government wants to explore how mini-UAVs could support or replace manned helicopters in monitoring car hijacking situations and local surveillance operations.

Cabure is an all-electric, hand-launched UAV system that is scheduled to be handed over in December with the second one to arrive in early 2008. The University of Santiago will be responsible for integration of a sensor suite and a precision navigation suite that will include either a laser or a radar altimeter. One UAV will be operated in northern Chile, while the second is to fly in the central region.

Source: www.flightglobal.com
 

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HAI Selects Award Winners

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) announced its “Salute to Excellence” award winners. The 2008 “Salute to Excellence” awards program, now in its 47th year, recognizes outstanding achievement performed by individuals or companies in the international helicopter community. Winners will be recognized during the HAI “Salute to Excellence” banquet and awards ceremony to be held on Monday, February 25, 2008, at HELI-EXPO 2008 in Houston, Texas.

ALEA affiliated winners include: MD Helicopters’ Law Enforcement Award to Daniel B. Schwarzbach, President of ALEA, and the Aviation Maintenance Technician Award to Milton K. Geltz, Maintenance Director of Metro Aviation, Inc. Congratulations!
 

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Air Base Could Mean More Police Support

St. Clair County (MI) law enforcement officials met with federal representatives last month to find out what the addition of an Air Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base will mean for local police. The Department of Homeland Security announced that Selfridge would be the home of the fifth and final Northern Border Air Wing for the Air National Guard. Officials hope that the aviation base will mean more air support for local police departments.

The Department of Homeland Security plans to bring 100 border agents and 11 new aircraft to the base, beefing up the Customs and Border Protection crew that scours 863 miles of land and water along the border in the Detroit sector. Beginning next spring or summer, the Michigan-based agents will work with state and local law enforcement on border security.

DHS will station two Cessna Citation Interceptor aircraft, two single-engine Cessna planes, two Black Hawk helicopters, two turbo-prop Dash 8 Multi-Role aircraft, two AS 350 helicopters and one EC-120 helicopter.

Source: www.macombdaily.com
 

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Heading South? It’s Not Too Late For ALEA’s Southeast Region Seminar

In addition to an outstanding line-up of classes for this year's Southeast Regional Safety Seminar, ALEA will team up with the Helicopter Association International (HAI) to present Steve Bassett's very popular one-day course on Pre-Accident Planning entitled "Crisis Management 101". This class will take place on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 from 8 am to 4 pm at the host hotel. A special discounted price of $225 for ALEA members is offered for this class and members can sign up now on the ALEA web site.

Among the educational classes offered during the seminar will be an update on the ALEA Safety Program introducing "Safety Management Systems" as the most recent safety management philosophy adopted by the FAA and the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST); a very entertaining as well as educational class on Aviation Risk Management presented by one of ALEA's most popular instructors; a report from an FAA security representative on Air Traffic Security and how TFR's can be used to support law enforcement operations; a new presentation on Aviation Human Factors taking us from concept to the cockpit and presented by an Embry Riddle instructor who was a former law enforcement pilot; a very interesting and captivating class on the complexities of today's digital cockpits presented by the author of a recent Air Beat article on glass cockpit technology; and, an insightful look at the hazards and precautions needed when mixing law enforcement flight operations with the news media aircraft to be presented by a retired law enforcement pilot who is now flying part time for the news media.

All of these classes focus on new and emerging technologies and hazards facing the aviation law enforcement community whether you fly helicopters or fixed-wing in an urban or rural environment. Don't delay in registering. Additional information is available online at www.alea.org/upcomingevents/Regional Safety Seminars/Southeast Region or by contacting Southeast Region Director Mark Cherney at mcherney@alea.org or Education Program Manager Jim Di Giovanna at edcoordinator@alea.org. See you there!
 

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Women Wanted for Air Beat Magazine

The editorial team of Air Beat Magazine is looking for female pilots, unit commanders, tactical flight officers and maintenance technicians to be a part of the March-April 2008 edition. If you, or another ALEA member at your unit, would like to participate in this exciting issue, please contact Lisa A. Wright via email at airbeat@alea.org.
 

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For rates and availability, contact:

Jennifer Thornton
ALEA Ad Sales Representative
Ph (918) 274-3874
Fax (918) 274-8450
E-mail: jthornton@alea.org

Get Your Organization's News Online

Send your press releases, company logos and photos to:

Lisa Wright
Editorial Director
airbeat@alea.org

Join Our Mailing List

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.

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