ALEA’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.

NYPD Chopper Made Water Emergency Landing

A New York Police Department Bell 412 helicopter with six officers on board made an emergency landing into the water off Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn last month. The Bell 412 was heading back to its base to refuel. The crew had been on security patrol at Kennedy Airport for President Barack Obama's trip to the United Nations.

"The pilot stated she heard a loud bang, and the helicopter descended rapidly," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. The aircraft then started losing elevation, falling about 60 feet before hitting the water. "We were very lucky. It was a very hard landing and it could have been much worse than it was," Kelly said.

Police say the chopper's automatic flotation devices inflated upon impact. However, the force of the landing was strong enough to smash the aircraft's windshield and bend one of its rotor blades. The aircraft first went into service less than a year ago and is one of seven currently being used by the department. The National Transportation Safety Board will examine the chopper to try to determine what caused the malfunction.

Source: www.nypost.com

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Scotland Teenager Arrested During Pope’s Visit

An 18-year-old man has been charged after a laser beam was fired at a Strathclyde Police Air Support Unit helicopter during the Pope's visit to Glasgow last month. The incident happened after Pope Benedict XVI had celebrated Mass before 65,000 people in Bellahouston Park.

Officers used tracking equipment in the helicopter to pinpoint where the beam was coming from and subsequently raided an address on the city's Southside.

Strathclyde Police said the misuse of lasers was a growing problem and warned that shining a beam at a moving aircraft was a serious offense.

Inspector David Dick of Strathclyde Police's Air Support Unit said, "We had spent seven hours in the air following the Pope. The day had been a real success, so it was a sickener for that to happen at the end.”

Source: www.news.stv.tv/scotland

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ASTREA Helicopter Makes Third Rescue in a Month

San Diego County (CA) Sheriff’s Department ASTREA helicopter came to the rescue of three hikers last month. Three hikers were hoisted to safety after becoming lost without warm clothing, food or water. Their rescue marked the third close call for visitors of the backcountry in less than one month.

Such incidents may be a growing trend, according to helicopter pilot Deputy Scott Bligh. “I have been at ASTREA for almost six years and remember very few if any rescues before this year,” he commented. On August 21, Bligh flew the helicopter that rescued two hikers who narrowly escaped a wildfire. On September 2, the helicopter was used to locate a hiker lost in a rugged area surrounded by high vegetation and boulders.

A lack of heavily traveled trails and steepness in some parts make the mountain (also known as El Capitan) difficult to traverse. The mountain itself isn’t the problem, though, it’s the hikers, said Bligh. “Mother nature demands more respect than some folks realize,” he said. 

Source: www.sandiegoreader.com

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Police Helicopter Crashes During Training Flight

A DeKalb County (GA) Police Department Aerial Support Unit helicopter crashed and caught fire between two runways near their base last month. A police pilot and a trainee were practicing hydraulic maneuvers during a training flight when the accident occurred. The aircraft turned on its side and spun across a runway before catching fire.

Both men were able to get out of the burning aircraft before firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the blaze with foam. After a hospital examination, both men were discharged with minor injuries.

The damage to the helicopter was extensive and will no longer be used by the department, according to a news report. DeKalb County Police Department has one other AS350 helicopter. The cause of the "hard landing" is not known. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

Source: www.ajc.com  

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Wichita PD Air Section Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Wichita (KS) Police Department Air Section is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. The WPD Air Section is one of the original 13 charter members of "Operation Sky Knight," the first formal police helicopter patrol program in the United States which was initially launched as a pilot program by the Los Angeles (CA) Sheriff's Department.

The Air Section owns and operates one 2003 MD 500E light single turbine and is budgeted to fly up to 1,000 hours annually. The unit's full-time staff is comprised of Lt. Paul J. Shields (Supervisor/Pilot); Officer Peter D. Dolieslager (Pilot); Officer Bradley E. Carver (Tactical Flight Officer); and David L. Frye (Director of Maintenance). Since its inception, the unit has logged over 50,000 flight hours without a serious injury or fatality.

The Wichita Police Department's personnel strength includes a compliment of over 800 commissioned officers and non-commissioned civilian employees. The Air Section is dedicated to supporting officers assigned to the field at the operational level and plays a vital role in the department's “Safe and Secure Community” Public Safety Initiative.

Source: Wichita Police Department   

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Tip From Air Helps Police Locate Grow Site

After getting a tip from Air 2, one of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland police helicopters, Delta Police Department officers dismantled three outdoor marijuana grow operations last month. The Lower Mainland Traffic Safety Helicopter Program is the result of a partnership among the British Columbia government, the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police and police departments in the Lower Mainland. The two helicopters in the program, called Air 1 and Air 2, are tasked to enhance and support the Lower Mainland police in their efforts to reduce injuries and deaths on roadways as part of the National Road Safety Vision 2010.

"The excellent partnership the Delta Police Department has with the Lower Mainland Traffic Safety Helicopter Program proved effective once again," department spokesperson Sgt. Sharlene Brooks said. Air 2 officers were returning to the air after a lunch break when they noticed what looked like two possible outdoor marijuana grow operations, and subsequently found a third site a short distance from the original two. Air 2 was able to guide drug section officers, who were on the ground, into the area.

Officers seized a total of 1,200 mature plants and removed related equipment, which will be destroyed. "It is believed that these plants were just a few weeks from harvest and would have yielded an estimated street value of $450,000," Brooks said. Police do not have any suspects at this time.

Source: www.delta-optimist.com
 

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Golf Fundraiser Helps Metro Air Support

The Fourth Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised nearly $30,000 in late August for the St. Louis (MO) Metro Airborne Law Enforcement Foundation and the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Scholarship Foundation.

The tournament, sponsored by Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (a division of Donaldson Company, Inc.), attracted more than 120 participants in an 18-hole, four-person “scramble”. The event featured lunch, dinner and prizes.

The St. Louis County Police Department has provided metropolitan area helicopter patrol and search and rescue services for nearly 40 years, combining resources with the St. Louis Police Department and St. Charles County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. In 2009, the unit answered more than 2,300 calls for help, located 20 missing persons and helped to recover nearly $1.5 million in property. Because their budgets do not fully cover the airborne unit’s costs, Metro Air Support, as it is known, has established a foundation to raise additional funds and endow the operation. Donaldson’s St. Louis location and its helicopter filtration systems have given the company a close and natural connection to Metro Air Support.

Pictured at right is Donaldson’s St. Louis President Michael Scimone as he prepares to drop a bucket of balls onto a golf course from a helicopter as part of the fundraising event.

Source: www.rotor.com 

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Witness Scared Of Laser Beam Consequences

Two men, ages 18 and 20, were arrested after a laser beam was shone at a Cambridgeshire police helicopter hovering over Cambridge (UK) while it was on a call last month.

After the beam was pointed, the pilot reported the attack to officers on the ground that launched a manhunt lasting almost four hours. Residents who were caught up in the drama feared the aircraft could have crashed into homes because of the “idiotic” stunt. A witness said, “There were about three or four lads who were shining a laser at the helicopter. It was scary. They could have blinded the pilot. They could have brought it down on top of our homes. This is serious stuff. These idiots have put our lives and the lives of the officers in the helicopter at risk.”

Captain Bob Jones, Head of Flight Operations at the Civil Aviation Authority issued a stark warning. He said, “Lasers are not toys, they pose a serious risk to all flight safety. I advise individuals who may think shining one of these things at an aircraft is a bit of fun, to think again. The chances of getting caught are increasing rapidly and, once caught, criminal charges are now inevitable. Anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft should contact the police immediately – just as they would if they observed any other criminal act.”

Source: www.cambridge-news.co.uk

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Mexican Air Unit Completes Training

Night Flight Concepts completed specialized airborne law enforcement training with the Mexico State Government’s Air Rescue Unit last month. The training was conducted on-site at the unit’s location in Toluca, Mexico, and included ground and flight training for the pilots and tactical flight officers.

The ground training portion included instruction on various aspects of law enforcement aviation such as crew resource management, pursuits, perimeters, equipment use and officer/suspect tactics, to name a few. The flight training portion took place in the unit’s Agusta 119 Koala aircraft with NFC instructor Brent Wineka and included suspect searches, perimeters, personnel/vehicle surveillance, pursuits and operational area training while using NVGs.

"Mexico State Government Air Rescue Unit is a highly professional group of aviators which will use this course to gain an invaluable increase in law enforcement mission confidence and safety while flying day and night missions,” commented Wineka.

Source: Night Flight Concepts

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Grant Funding Will Allow Agency To Acquire Helicopter

Arkansas law enforcement agencies received notice of $9.6 million in federal stimulus grants that was awarded last month, including $3.5 million for a new Arkansas State Police 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.

The state police's current helicopter, an OH-58, has been kept functioning largely through the use of spare parts from a second aircraft over the past few years as new parts were becoming difficult to locate. In 2008, the agency declined more than 40 flight missions because of maintenance issues or equipment malfunctions.

The state police provide the only 24-hour search and rescue helicopter to assist local law enforcement. It's still too early to know what type of helicopter will be purchased, but Sadler said it would be equipped with a hoist that will allow for the deployment of rescue crews into hard-to-reach areas. "All it's going to take is for one life to be saved to make it worth it," Sadler said.

Source: www.policeone.com 

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Namibia Adds Second Aircraft to Fleet

An AS350 B3 "Squirrel" was delivered to Namibia’s Police Air Wing Division last month during a ceremony at the biennial Africa Aerospace & Defense (AAD) exhibition. This is the Namibian Police's second helicopter.

The Namibia Police Air Wing Division was established in 2009 and has successfully flown its initial AS350 in crime prevention and law enforcement operations throughout South Africa. Inspector General of the Namibia Police Force, Lt. General Sebastian Haitota Ndeitunga, said, "Namibians, like millions of people in other countries around the world, are reaping the benefits of this investment in modern, versatile, reliable and efficient crime-fighting assets such as our AS350 helicopters".

The AS350 was selected for its performance and efficiency in Namibia's typically hot and high elevation conditions. Its Turboméca Arriel 2B1 engine generates greater power, enabling the helicopter to carry heavier and versatile payloads (including sling load capacity) and to fly at a higher cruising speed in comparison with other similar size machines.

According to Ndeitunga, the Air Wing Division is expected to grow and acquire more helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, pilots and other personnel to provide the essential airborne police services to augment the fight against crime.

Source: www.informante.web.na

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Shanghai To Manage Traffic With New Air Unit

During the first half of this year, Shanghai Public Security Bureau police began to research the feasibility of setting up an aerial traffic police division. According to Guo Yonghua, deputy director of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, the bureau is going to use police helicopters to improve traditional road traffic management and achieve comprehensive control. The city plans to set up air units for its traffic police. Helicopters will dispatch the traffic policemen, the firemen and medical rescue teams to the scene of the accident in real time as well as quickly remove disabled vehicles to ensure smooth and orderly traffic.

Source: www.english.peopledaily.com.cn

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Wanted: Nominations For ‘Salute to Excellence’ Awards

For 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 awards recognizing contributions made to advance the international helicopter community, including airborne law enforcement.

HAI is now accepting nominations for the 2011 awards, and the winners will be recognized at the Golden Anniversary "Salute to Excellence" Banquet on March 7, 2011 in Orlando, FL. Any individual or organization, whether they are HAI members or not, may submit nominations or be nominated. To submit a nomination, complete the online form at http://www.rotor.com/portals/1/salute/2011/form.pdf. 

The nomination deadline is December 3, 2010. However, HAI strongly encourages you to submit your nomination as soon as possible. Should you require additional information, please contact HAI’s Communications Department at 703-683-4646 or visit www.rotor.com.

Source: HAI

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ALEA Canadian Safety Seminar

October 13-15, 2010, the York Regional Police will host the 2010 ALEA Canadian Region Safety Seminar in Richmond Hill, Ontario. ALEA is offering an optional Winter Survival Course to be held on Wednesday, October 13. Seminar topics include safety management systems, tactical communication and navigation, decision-making, ice rescue operations, security planning and a panel discussion on issues pertinent to the Canadian Region.

Register now at http://www.alea.org/events/detail.aspx?i=104&p=1&d=10/13/2010 or contact Region Director Dave Saunders at dsaunders@alea.org for more information. 

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Ft. Worth To Host Central Region Safety Seminar

If you live in the Central Region, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Central Region Safety Seminar, November 3-5, 2010 in Ft. Worth, TX. A fantastic educational lineup is scheduled, which includes water survival training, aviation safety, IIMC hazards and recovery, staying healthy, spatial disorientation, pursuit tactics and more.

You’ll get to see some of the latest offerings from ALEA corporate members, as well as network with each other during breaks and evening events. A reduced hotel rate of $109 at the Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle is available until October 20. Visit http://www.alea.org/events/detail.aspx?i=105&p=1&d=11/3/2010 for the latest details and registration information.

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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.

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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.

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