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Bell to End Production of Jet Ranger
Bell spokesman Mike Cox said the company would fill existing orders for the four models, but as production of their components ceases, it will devote those resources to producing newer models. "It's a shifting of where we're focusing our manufacturing capabilities to those models where there's more demand," Cox said. In addition to the Jet Ranger, Bell will also halt sales and production of the 427, 430 and 210 models. The 427 and 430 are twin-engine helicopters that will be superseded by the 429 model now in development. Bell has orders for more than 200 429s with a value in excess of $1 billion. The company expects to deliver the first new-model helicopters either late this year or early 2009. SOURCE: www.star-telegram.com [TOP] |
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SOURCE:
http://thecalifornian.com [TOP] |
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Safety Fears Ground Police Drone
Inspector Neil Wallace said, "Unless there is an improvement on what we have at the moment, I don't think Strathclyde Police will go for it." He said that when the problems were rectified, police would carry out more tests before deciding whether to adopt the device. Source: www.news.scotsman.com/ [TOP] |
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Ireland Police Aircraft Cleared for Take-off
Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said the unit played a vital role in
combating criminal activity and protecting the safety of the public,
and the new helicopter would greatly enhance that 24-hour aerial
support of the Garda Support Unit's fleet. It replaces their AS355N
Squirrel helicopter, which has been in use since the unit was formed
in 1997. SOURCE:
www.independent.ie [TOP] |
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Project Lifesaver Tests New Antenna  Project Lifesaver is a program where police can put tracking watches
on those likely to wander off, such as Alzheimer's or Autism
patients. Last month in South Dakota, the Minnehaha County Sheriff's
Office, Sioux Falls Police and the Civil Air Patrol teamed up to
test a new fixed-wing airplane antenna that can more quickly locate
the transmitters. "If it beeps, we'll find it in the civil air patrol," Lt. Col. Rick Larson of the Civil Air Patrol said, adding that his unit’s support will provide five to seven miles of extra range to police on the ground. SOURCE: www.keloland.com [TOP] |
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China's Unmanned Helicopter Takes Flight
Source: www.english.people.com.cn [TOP] |
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Alabama Sheriff Wants Air Support The Coffee County (AL) Commission last month approved Sheriff Dave Sutton’s request to acquire a helicopter. Since taking office less than a year ago, Sheriff Sutton says neighboring counties have supplied him aircraft assistance many times and dedicated air support is needed. The sheriff has applied for a military surplus helicopter and plans to pay for operational costs through fundraising events and volunteer efforts. SOURCE: www.eprisenow.com/ [TOP] |
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SOURCE: www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news [TOP] |
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Man Arrested After Claiming To Be State Helicopter Pilot The New York State Police arrested a 33-year-old man last month on charges of impersonation after the man told staff at an elementary school he was a helicopter pilot with the New York State Police. That is a second-degree criminal offense. The man was arraigned in court and remanded to the Fulton County Jail on $2,500 cash bail. He's scheduled to reappear in city court at a later date.SOURCE: www.cbs6albany.com [TOP] |
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DPS Selects Completion Center for New Aircraft
The aircraft will greatly improve the capacity of the department to perform a multifaceted role of law enforcement and transportation requirements for the state. SOURCE: Metro Aviation, Inc. [TOP] |
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Greater Manchester Police Accepts New MD Explorer
GMP purchased its first MD902 aircraft, call sign of "India 99", in June 2001. Phil Rainford, Chief Pilot of GMP and Chair Spokesperson of the European MD Users Groups said, "We are very happy with the product and quite confident in MD’s support. We are now quite positive about the future of the company and look forward to the delivery of the new aircraft, which will include the latest technology available for the police mission. This will provide enhanced capability to the Greater Manchester Police." "We are grateful that we have returned to a place of grace in the eyes of GMP. The return of European law enforcement to MD Helicopters is an important milestone for our company and a vote of confidence that we expect to resonate throughout Europe. We will follow this landmark delivery with many more MD 902 deliveries to European law enforcement and EMS providers already during 2008," stated Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer of MDHI. Source: MD Helicopters, Inc. [TOP] |
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Sheriff Copter Experienced Engine Failure
Eyewitnesses praised the pilot’s quick thinking and actions. "The guy is good," one eyewitness said in a news report. "It looked like he was going for the golf course, but knew he wasn't going to make it, so he chose that spot instead. He missed the power lines and everything in his way." The other eyewitness who showed up shortly after the crash added, "I have never seen anything like it. The (pilot) got out and put out his own fire." Sheriff's officials aren't sure what caused the failure, but are now trying to determine what went wrong and the extent of the damages. The 6-year-old aircraft is one of three emergency and law enforcement helicopters in the Sheriff's Office fleet. SOURCE: www.news-journalonline.com [TOP] |
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Eastern Region Seminar Approaching If you haven’t already, sign up now for ALEA’s Eastern Region Safety Seminar. It will be held in Kansas City, MO on April 2-4, 2008. The Kansas City Police Department Aviation Unit will be the host. Reserve your room before March 4 and receive the ALEA room rate at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Register for the seminar online at www.alea.org/public/seminars or contact Phillip Bender at pbender@alea.org with any questions. See you there! [TOP] |
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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 2008 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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A Volusia County (FL) Sheriff's Office helicopter was on its way to
a vehicle crash last month when it experienced engine failure at 700
to 800 feet in the air. The pilot managed to land the helicopter in
a dirt-filled construction site.
Police have abandoned a three-month test for a new unmanned aircraft
after the device crash-landed last month. Strathclyde Police in the
United Kingdom had agreed to test an UAV, hoping that it would prove
invaluable in mountain and marine searches. However, police
confirmed that the tests had temporarily been grounded because the
prototype was "not reliable." 
Metro Aviation, Inc. has been selected as the exclusive completion
center to finish six helicopters for the Texas Department of Public
Safety, which will include five new Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopters
and one Eurocopter EC145. The first airframe will arrive this month.
Metro Aviation Inc.’s Managing Director, Milton Geltz, stated, "It’s
exciting to add the Texas Department of Public Safety to our
customer base. The TDPS has specified a very technologically
advanced surveillance, tactical communications and avionics package.
A high degree of confidence has been placed in us, and we plan on
exceeding those expectations."
