UK’s Devon & Cornwall Police takes delivery of a new EC145
Source: Eurocopter, 10 Mar, 10
On Friday 5th March the Devon & Cornwall Police took delivery of a new EC145 helicopter. This most modern machine was customised at Eurocopter UK in Oxford to meet the demanding needs of the modern police service. It is equipped with the latest aids to police reconnaissance and airborne crime fighting. Included is a state-of-the-art [...]
After 2½ years of controversy, Cayman Islands Police take delivery of EC135
Source: Cayman News Service, 7 Mar, 10
After almost three years and a considerable amount of controversy, the police helicopter has finally landed in the Cayman Islands
Norfolk Police re-consider air support options after current contract ends in 2011
7 Mar, 10
No decision has yet been made over who could be awarded the contract beyond that date and all operations were being looked at over its future, the statement says. Options include awarding a contract for a dedicated Norfolk Police helicopter or collaborating with Suffolk Police
Texas Department of Public Safety adds two AS350B3s
Source: American Eurocopter, 2 Mar, 10
March 1, 2010 Grand Prairie, Texas – American Eurocopter announced today that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has ordered two AS350 B3-2B1 helicopters expanding mission capabilities to the department by adding a more powerful version of the AS350B3 coupled with the benefit of the Turbomeca Arriell 2B1 Full-Authority-Digital-Engine-Control (FADEC). These helicopters will join [...]
Brazil’s National Institute of Environment adds AS350
Source: Globo, 28 Feb, 10
The helicopter will help in monitoring in the detection of environmental crimes, deforestation and illegal construction in protected areas.
Cleveland Police Authority chairman rejects UK national helicopter pool plan
Source: Evening Gazette, 28 Feb, 10
He told a meeting of the authority that there has been a discussion at ACPO – the Association of Chief Police Officers – on the idea of bringing police helicopters in the country into a central unit.
Shanghai Police pilots train in Oregon with Brim Aviation for specialist mission techniques
Source: Mail Tribune, 27 Feb, 10
The deal was firmed up last September for three months of training in the Western United States, followed by 30 days support by Brim Aviation personnel in China and consulting for the next three years.
US Customs and Border Protection orders six AS350B3s
Source: American Eurocopter, 24 Feb, 10
From the Eurocopter booth at Heli-Expo, American Eurocopter announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has entered into the first option year on the Light Enforcement Helicopter (LEH) contract and placed an order for six AS350B3s. This is the second order on the LEH contract that was awarded to American Eurocopter by the Department of [...]
Profile – Virginia Beach Police Aviation Unit
Source: Virginian Pilot, 24 Feb, 10
The Virginia Beach Police operate a Bell 407 which has recently gone through a major equipment upgrade program
Colorado Springs Police OH-58 sold to Wyomning for $170K
23 Feb, 10
Colorado Springs Police OH-58 sold to Wyomning for $170K
Metro Aviation delivers new Massachusetts State Police EC135
Source: Metro Aviation, 23 Feb, 10
After receiving a competitive bid award last year, north Louisiana based Metro Aviation, Inc. has delivered the first new law enforcement equipped Single Pilot IFR (SPIFR) EC135T2+ to the Massachusetts State Police Aviation Section. The comprehensively equipped aircraft was delivered in new “green” condition from the manufacturer to Shreveport, Louisiana where it underwent the extensive [...]
Suffolk County Police Department Orders Another AS350B2
Source: American Eurocopter, 23 Feb, 10
American Eurocopter announced today that the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) has ordered another AS350 B2 helicopter that will join the department’s existing fleet of two AS350 B2s and one EC145. The aircraft will replace another helicopter and with this addition, the SCPD’s Aviation Section will become an all-Eurocopter fleet operator.
“Due to their outstanding performance [...]
Sikorsky Global Helicopters Honors the Houston Police Dept at Heli-Expo 2010
Source: Sikorsky, 23 Feb, 10
Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a Sikorsky company, today at Heli-Expo honored the Houston Police Department (HPD) for its customer loyalty and outstanding service to the community. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
The Houston Police Department’s Air Support Division plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of city residents. In [...]
Night Flight Concepts Completes NVG Initial Qualification Training for Tampa Police
Source: Night Flight Concepts, 22 Feb, 10
The Tampa (Florida) Police Department’s Aviation Unit completed Initial NVG Pilot Training offered by Night Flight Concepts (NFC), the industry’s premier provider of night vision goggles, training and maintenance.
The Tampa Police Department’s (TPD) comprehensive NVG training took place on-site at the departments’ flight operation facility located at the Tampa International Airport. The training incorporated [...]
MD Helicopters delivers three more 500Es to Houston PD, taking total to ten
Source: MD Helicopters, 22 Feb, 10
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) delivered three new MD 500E® Helicopters to the Houston Police Department Air Support Division over the span of three months last fall.
The first delivery was made at the 2009 Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Annual Conference and Exposition on July 23. The two newest were delivered on September 29 and October [...]
MD Helicopters Delivers another MD500E® to St Louis Metro Air Support
Source: MD Helicopters, 21 Feb, 10
MD Helicopters, Inc. delivered a new MD 500E® to the St. Louis Metro Air Support Unit in January. This new helicopter will be utilized to perform search and rescue missions, increase patrols of the region’s critical infrastructure and provide support to first responders.
The Metro Air Support Unit is a consolidated flight Unit initiated in 2004 [...]
Fleet lead MD Explorer® exceeds 11,500 Flight Hours
Source: MD Helicopters, 21 Feb, 10
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) and the Air Operations Unit of the West Yorkshire Police have announced that an MD Explorer®, helicopter serial number 078 has extended its record for flight hours, reaching 11,565 hours as of mid-January of this year. The flight hours far exceed any other MD Explorer in the fleet.
The Air Operations Unit, [...]
Sikorsky Global Helicopters Honors Edra Aeronáutica at Heli-Expo 2010
Source: Schweizer, 21 Feb, 10
Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a Sikorsky company, today at Heli-Expo honored EDRA Aeronáutica of Brazil for its contributions to law enforcement flight training through the use of S-300 series helicopters. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
EDRA has been a distributor for Sikorsky light helicopters since 1997 and has been active [...]
Baton Rouge Police add Robinson R44
Source: The Advocate, 19 Feb, 10
The Police Department received the four-seat chopper — equipped with technology allowing police to track a fleeing suspect in the dark, a camera and a spotlight — in January
Merseyside Police make first arrest using unmanned helicopter
Source: Merseyside Police, 18 Feb, 10
Thermal imaging technology has been used for the first time on the Force’s ‘drone’ or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to make an arrest.
Two men suspected of stealing a Renault Clio in Bootle were tracked by the UAV, which is a remote-controlled aerial camera operated by a police officer on the ground, and after fleeing the [...]
Westchester County Police to host and sponsor TFO and Advanced Thermal Imaging Courses
Source: Westchester County, 18 Feb, 10
The Westchester County PD (NY) will be hosting and sponsoring a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) Course and an Advanced Thermal Imaging Course the week of March 22, 2010.
The Tactical Flight Officer Course, instructed by Jack Schonely (LAPD), will be Monday – Wednesday (mid-day). The program will start with the Suspect Tactics and Perimeter Containment Course on [...]
Virginia State Police pilot nominated in All-Star contest
Source: America's Most Wanted, 17 Feb, 10
This follows an incident where Aviation Sergeant Don Childs safely landed his Bell 407 after being shot seven times (see HeliHub.com accident report)
Airborne Law Enforcers Flying High with Donaldson IBFs
Source: Donaldson, 17 Feb, 10
Criminals cringe and citizens cheer the sound of police helicopters overhead, fighting crime from the Arizona skies. Airborne law enforcers from several agencies in that southwestern U.S. state have benefitted from installing high-performance Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs) designed by Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI). Longtime law enforcement agency [...]
Province of Manitoba commits extra money for Winnipeg Police helicopter
Source: CBC, 17 Feb, 10
The Manitoba government has agreed to pony up extra money to cover any operational cost increases associated with the chopper, according to Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, who revealed the latest development to reporters Tuesday afternoon
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2010/02/16/mb-police-helicopter-funding-winnipeg.html#ixzz0flsWk5tq
Minimum bid met for Colorado Springs Police helicopter
Source: KRDO, 13 Feb, 10
At least one potential buyer is making the minimum bid for 1 of 2 Colorado Springs police department helicopters grounded by budget cuts.
Plan for Winnipeg Police helicopter thrown in doubt
Source: CBC, 13 Feb, 10
Winnipeg won’t have a police helicopter without additional funding from the province, Mayor Sam Katz said Friday. The province promised $1.3 million a year in operating costs for the chopper but will not cover inflationary costs
Indianapolis Metro Police grounds helicopters
Source: WTHR, 13 Feb, 10
The three helicopters are the most expensive crime fighting tool for Metro. Right now the city doesn’t even have insurance on them
NPYD helicopter 9/11 photos released under FOI request
Source: The Scotsman, 12 Feb, 10
Given that these photos have not previously appeared, HeliHub.com questions whether FOI requests could impact the integrity of airborne law enforcement
Philippine National Police buy three Robinson R44s
Source: GMA News, 11 Feb, 10
Last Wednesday night, three brand new helicopters touched down on the parade ground of Camp Crame, headquarters of the Philippine National Police.
Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Orders An AW139
Source: AgustaWestland, 10 Feb, 10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Public Security Bureau of Shenzhen has ordered one AW139 medium twin helicopter. This aircraft will be used to perform a number of roles also including law enforcement, civil protection/disaster relief, transport and control missions across the Province.
The AW139 has been selected thanks to its outstanding [...]
Lagos State Police benefitting from two recently delivered Bell 412s
Source: Punch, 7 Feb, 10
Two Bell 412SPs were taken on charge in December 2009
Walton County Sheriff add FLIR camera
Source: http://www.wtvynews4.com/floridanews/headlines/83492142.html, 4 Feb, 10
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office was able to secure the necessary Homeland Security grant monies to cover the 250-thousand dollar price tag
Spanish Ministry of the Interior Sign for 12 more EC135s
Source: Eurocopter, 4 Feb, 10
Eurocopter and the Spanish Ministry of the Interior have signed a contract for the purchase of twelve EC135 P2i helicopters. Spain’s National Police Force will operate six of the new aircraft for law enforcement missions, while the remaining six will join the current fleet of the Spanish Guardia Civil. One of this latter group of [...]
Pennsylvania Police go house-hunting – helipad is a “must have”
Source: Lebanon Daily News, 3 Feb, 10
The current Jonesburg station on Route 72 near the Route 22 overpass includes approximately 10,000 sq.ft, but they need 14,000+ sq.ft, “We have vehicles to park, we have the impound lot, and we need to have space for a helicopter to land,”
Night Flight Concepts Completes NVG Qualification Training for Atlanta Police
Source: Night Flight Concepts, 2 Feb, 10
The Atlanta Police Department’s Aviation Unit completed the Turn Green, Turn-Key™ program offered by Night Flight Concepts (NFC). Night Flight Concepts is the industry’s premier provider of night vision goggles, training and maintenance.
Atlanta PD’s comprehensive NVG training package took place on-site at the departments’ flight operation facility in their MD-500E aircraft. Included in NFC’s training [...]
Helinet Brings Live Aerial Video to Cops’ Smartphones
Source: Wired, 2 Feb, 10
A new mobile technology product called HT 4Sight promises to bring live, encrypted video feeds direct from air crews to smartphones on the ground. Initially, the product is being targeted at law enforcement and security officials
Bulgaria buys two AW109E Powers for border patrol
Source: AgustaWestland, 29 Jan, 10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Ministries of Finance and Interior of Bulgaria have ordered two AW109 Power light twin helicopters to meet the latest helicopter requirement for the Bulgarian Border Police. The main mission of the helicopters, which are procured under the Schengen Facility programme funds, is to provide a [...]
Indian Coast Guard to add 30 helicopters to current fleet of 20
Source: India Times, 29 Jan, 10
ICG is also going in for a major upgrade of its air wing, with 42 new aircraft already sanctioned by the government. Apart from 12 Dorniers and 30 helicopters, the force is also going to induct six medium-range maritime surveillance aircraf
Medford man convicted of lasering helicopter
Source: Boston Globe, 29 Jan, 10
A 51-year-old Medford man has been convicted of shining a green laser beam into a Massachusetts State Police helicopter
HAI Announces Recipient of the 2010 MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award
Source: HAI, 28 Jan, 10
HAI is pleased to announce the 2010 MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award recipient, the New Zealand Police Air Support Unit; Auckland, New Zealand.
The New Zealand Police Air Support Unit (ASU), “Operation EAGLE,” was formed in November 1988 as a three-month trial using airborne police officers to combat rising crime in the city of Auckland. The [...]
St Louis Metro Air Support Unit acquire MD500E
Source: STL Today, 28 Jan, 10
Area police have acquired a new helicopter for air patrols, using a $1.5 million Homeland Security grant
Shining laser at sheriff’s helicopter gets Rocklin man 4-year sentence
Source: News 10 ABC, 27 Jan, 10
Placer County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Art Campos said Jamie Allen Downie, 35, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of discharging a laser at an aircraft.
Effort to save Topeka Police helicopter unit given up
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal, 27 Jan, 10
Topeka City Councilman Larry Wolgast is grounding his last-ditch effort to save the police helicopter program.
South African Police order two more AS350B3s
25 Jan, 10
The police have ordered a further two AS350B3 Squirrel single-engined light utility helicopters (LUH) at a cost of some 66 million Rand
Finnish Border Guard Orders An AW119Ke Helicopter
Source: AgustaWestland, 25 Jan, 10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Finnish Border Guard has ordered a fourth AW119Ke single engine helicopter. The Finnish Border Guard chose the AW119Ke in 2008 to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement programme. All four helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and fire [...]
Interview – Utah DPS Pilot Terry Mercer About His Now Famous Pinnacle Landing(s)
Source: PoliceHelicopterPilot.com, 14 Jan, 10
When Utah State Trooper Terry Mercer landed his helicopter on this pinnacle back in August 2009 to rescue an injured hiker, he had no idea that it would turn into the story which it did
‘Grounded’ police helicopter used in search for police dog
Source: 9News, 11 Jan, 10
The helicopter dispatched to find a missing police K-9 on Friday afternoon is not included in this year’s city budget, but Denver Police Chief Gerald Whitman has found a way to keep it in the air.
Lancashire Police fly 6,453 missions in three years
Source: Lancashire Telegraph, 7 Jan, 10
Throughout Lancashire the helicopter has been used a total of 6,453 times since January 2007. During that period 815 arrests have been associated with its use, which represents a success rate of around 12 per cent.
Wiltshire Police spend £850K upgrading MD Explorer
Source: Wiltshire Times, 7 Jan, 10
Criminals will have nowhere to hide in Wiltshire thanks to an £850,000 refit of the force’s helicopter and air ambulance which means its cameras can seek out people up to two miles away.
West Yorkshire Police celebrate 20 years in the air
Source: Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 Dec, 09
West Yorkshire Police is celebrating 20 years of using one of its most effective weapons in the war on crime.
Colorado Springs decommissions Air Support Unit; Helicopters up for sale
Source: The Gazette, 24 Dec, 09
The Colorado Springs Police Department has lost its wings. In a decommissioning ceremony Tuesday, the department bid farewell to its Air Support Unit, one police budget line on a list of many that were cut because of projected city budget shortfalls in 2010
Bulgaria Orders An AW139 To Meet Border Police Requirement
Source: AgustaWestland, 23 Dec, 09
The Ministries of Finance and Interior of Bulgaria have ordered an AW139 medium twin helicopter to meet the latest Bulgarian Border Police helicopter requirement.
Washoe County Sheriff to publish helicopter activity online
22 Dec, 09
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Department is going to start putting information on its Web site about the helicopters’ activities when they involve extended, low flyovers.
Cayman Islands government issues tender for police helicopter piloting services
Source: Cay Compass, 17 Dec, 09
The two–year contract – with a possible two year extension – is being advertised overseas as well as locally. Applications will be reviewed by the Central Tenders Committee and the submission period will close at noon on Friday, 22 January.
Winnipeg Council approves police helicopter
17 Dec, 09
Councillors approved spending Can$3.5 million to outfit the police with a helicopter.
Defense Holdings Demonstrates AfterGlo® Photoluminescent Aviation Safety Paint On a VA Police Helicopter
Source: Rotornews, 16 Dec, 09
Defense Holdings is demonstrating its revolutionary, patented AfterGlo® Brand Photoluminescent (PL) Aviation Safety Paint on the main and tail rotor blades of a Bell Helicopter Textron Model 407 helicopter belonging to the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Aviation Division. Sections of the rotor blades were painted in October 2009.
Lagos State Government launches pair of Bell 412s
Source: AllAfrica, 9 Dec, 09
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State launched two Bell 412EP Helicopters with a promise to commit the state’s resources to securing the lives and property of residents.
Man Charged With ‘Lasing’ DPS Helicopter
Source: KPHO, 9 Dec, 09
The Arizona Department Of Public Safety arrested a man who it said pointed a handheld laser at a police helicopter involved in a robbery pursuit.
Wood County officials looking to refurbish sheriff’s helicopter
Source: News and Sentinel, 9 Dec, 09
Wood County Sheriff’s Department officials said they have applied for a $95,000 grant to refurbish the department’s helicopter. Wood is the only county in the state that has a helicopter as part of its sheriff’s department.
Police helicopter added to Winnipeg’s capital budget
Source: Winnipeg Free Press, 8 Dec, 09
Winnipeg needs a police helicopter to respond to mundane calls, not for dramatic Hollywood-style aerial chases, police Chief Keith McCaskill said after politicians tentatively approved the purchase.
Topeka City Council mulls new police helicopter idea
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal, 8 Dec, 09
Topeka City Councilman Larry Wolgast, who voted on the prevailing side in August as the council discontinued funding for the police helicopter program, has put forth a proposal targeted at keeping that program in operation while changing the way it is used.
Priority 1 Air Rescue Provides Advanced Helicopter SAR Training for North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Source: Rotorhub, 7 Dec, 09
Priority 1 Air Rescue has completed Inland SAR training with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) which included initial Class B External Rotorcraft Load and Helicopter Short-Haul Rescue in their recently acquired Bell 407.
American Eurocopter Delivers Second AS350B3 to Miami-Dade Police Dept
Source: American Eurocopter, 7 Dec, 09
American Eurocopter delivered another AS350B3 helicopter to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s (MDPD) Aviation Unit. This is the second of four AS350B3s that have been ordered
Cuts in UK Police Air Support mooted
7 Dec, 09
Plans to cut the number of Police helicopters around the UK have been revealed by the Home Office.
Police Could File Charges Against KING Television Over Helicopter
Source: KIRO, 30 Nov, 09
The Pierce County prosecutor may file charges against KING-TV’s news director and helicopter pilot because the station’s chopper allegedly interfered with the investigation into the fatal shootings of four Lakewood police officers, said Ed Troyer of the sheriff’s office.
More laser attacks on Essex police helicopter pilots
Source: Daily Gazette, 29 Nov, 09
Reckless yobs are putting lives at risk by shining laser pens at the police helicopter. Essex Police revealed the lights were shone into pilots’ eyes 15 times so far this year, an increase from seven in 2008.
United Rotorcraft Solutions installs LoJack in the San Antonio PD fleet
Source: ALEA, 20 Nov, 09
United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) recently completed a contract with the San Antonio (TX) Police Department (SAPD) Helicopter Detail. URS was contracted to install the LoJack system in all three of the Department’s Schweizer 333’s.
Merced sheriff adds Huey helicopter to its air arsenal
Source: Merced Sun-Star, 20 Nov, 09
Sheriff’s officials announced their plans this month to add a 1973 UH-1H Bell Helicopter to the department’s aviation unit. The Huey is a donation from the California Emergency Management Agency
Budget cuts mean end of Colorado Springs police helicopter
Source: FOX21, 19 Nov, 09
OX21 News has been telling citizens about the deep budget cuts the city of Colorado Springs is facing because of slumping sales tax revenues.
Winnipeg’s police chief continues to push for helicoptere purchase
Source: CBC, 12 Nov, 09
Winnipeg’s police chief, backed by Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative Party, is pushing for a helicopter to be added to the service’s resources. Chief Keith McCaskill said the chopper would be a “huge benefit” but the question of who would pay for it must first be answered.
EADS obstacle warning system to enhance flight safety of Slovenian police helicopters
Source: EADS, 9 Nov, 09
EADS Defence & Security (DS) will equip the Slovenian police force’s helicopter squadron with the globally unique HELLAS (Helicopter Laser Radar) obstacle warning system, which enables helicopter missions to be carried out even when visibility is extremely poor.
Mercy Flight accuses police helicopters of stealing emergency calls for publicity
Source: Syracuse Post-Standard, 4 Nov, 09
Mercy Flight Central claims Onondaga County’s Air One helicopter and the state police helicopter in the area are jumping calls — responding to medical emergencies before Mercy Flight has a chance to go — for emergency transports and putting patients in danger.
Tulsa Police Department grounds both helicopters to save money
Source: Tulsa World, 1 Nov, 09
Because of budget cuts, Saturday will be the last night either one of the two police helicopters will be flying in Tulsa for the foreseeable future. Officials have said they will be saving $195,000 for the duration of the fiscal year by grounding the helicopters. The four officers assigned to the unit have been reassigned [...]
Nanning Public Security Bureau Orders One AW109 Power Helicopter
Source: AgustaWestland, 29 Oct, 09
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Public Security Bureau of Nanning (Southern China) has ordered one AW109 Power light twin engine helicopter. This aircraft will be used to perform a number of roles also including law enforcement and civil protection/disaster relief across the Nanning province.
Phoenix Police Air Support Unit adds another AS350B3
Source: American Eurocopter, 28 Oct, 09
Members of the Phoenix Police Air Support Unit were at the American Eurocopter Delivery Center in Grand Prairie to pick up another AS350B3 “AStar” helicopter. It is the fourth AS350 for the unit and it will join a diverse fleet covering the Phoenix area.