4-Jan-2011Source: Naples News
Cpl. Joseph Andreasen and flight officer Cpl. Shawn Bogart were on patrol in North Naples at about 1 a.m. Saturday when a green laser light entered the left side of the helicopter, injuring both of their left eyes... Read more
22-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The third of three AW119Ke helicopters for the Brazilian state of Goias is currently undergoing flight testing at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia facility.   Goias has a population of nearly 6 million and covers just over 130,000 square miles. This helicopter is expected to be delivered to Brazil in January 2011. Serialled 14768, and test flying on US... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The second AW119Ke for the Brazilian state of Goias is currently undergoing flight testing at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia facility. The helicopter has been mostly financed with a grant from SENASP – Serviço Nacional de Seleção Pública. Three pilots have been trained up to fly this helicopter, including Melati Carrasco. Goias has a population of nearly 6... Read more
21-Dec-2010Source: ALEA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance is accepting nominations beginning today for the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery and the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery. Every day, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers engage in exceptional acts of bravery while in... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The 12th Police helicopter unit (Italian – 12° Nucleo Elicotteri Carabinieri) which serves the region of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily has just completed 25 years of flight. The unit currently operates five helicopters (two 206s, one 412, one A109A and a 109 Nexus) from its base at Fontanarossa Airport. Since 1985 it... Read more
20-Dec-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Justice of Cyprus has taken delivery of two AW139 medium twin engine helicopters during an official ceremony held today in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias; Minister of Justice and Public Order, Loukas Louka; Chief of Police,... Read more
17-Dec-2010Source: This is Hull & East Riding
Sgt Jenkins said the attempt to dazzle the helicopter pilot had serious implications. “Endangering an aircraft is an offence and carries a five-year prison sentence,” he added. “Unfortunately for us, their night vision equipment is often better than ours.”... Read more
15-Dec-2010Source: Shropshire star
Under the cloudof a recent national police aviation review which called for their unit to be closed permanently, the Dyfed-Powys police are now considering fixed wing options to save money.... Read more
14-Dec-2010Source: State of Maranhão
[Electronic Translation of local language press release] Roseanna Sarney Governor delivery on Monday (13), the 15h, the Headquarters of the General Command of the Military Police (Rock), a model EC145 helicopter, equipped with high technology to enhance the operations of the Public Security Bureau in the fight crime across the Maranhão. The state is the... Read more
13-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
In the last few weeks, Spain’s National Police Force (“Cuerpo Nacional de PolicÃa”, CNP for short) have added three new Eurocopters to their fleet, two EC135P2+ and one AS332L2 – the latter being the largest helicopter they have ever operated. The three are listed below, together with their manufacturer’s serial numbers and local fleet number.... Read more
13-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
In the last week, the Public Security department of Tocantins has taken delivery of its first helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350B3 from the local Helibras factory. This will be operated in partnership with the National Secretariat of Public Security (SENASP) and will be available to the Civil Police, Military Police and Fire Department. Secretary of Public... Read more
13-Dec-2010Source: HeliHub.com
As police forces aim to be come more accountable to the residents of the area they serve, a number of those operating helicopters have launched a page on their website to list the tasks they fly – usually as a way of minimising noise complaints. These usually take the form of a table listing date,... Read more
11-Dec-2010Source: Columbus Dispatch
The pilot of the 12-year-old 500E sold last year to Versatile Helicopters, of Chemainus, British Columbia, was forced to make an emergency landing following engine failure, the company said in court papers filed yesterday in U.S. District Court.... Read more
10-Dec-2010Source: Miami New Times
The Miami-Dade Police Department is poised to become the first large metro force to regularly use drones in its aerial missions. The department has a deal in place to buy a T-Hawk from defense firm Honeywell... Read more
7-Dec-2010Source: Eurocopter Canada
Winnipeg, MB – Law enforcement in Manitoba’s capital city entered a new era today with the delivery of the first Eurocopter EC120 B helicopter for the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS). The 200-kilometer an hour helicopter will provide faster response times, enhanced public and officer safety and serve as a ‘force multiplier’ providing versatile aerial support... Read more
7-Dec-2010Source: DailyMe
Sacramento Sheriff-elect Scott Jones announced the relaunch of the department’s Air Operations unit at Mather Field on Sunday. A helicopter lifted off in rainy skies Sunday afternoon for the first daily beat patrols since July 2009.... Read more
6-Dec-2010Source: Miami Herald
Michael Anthony Fowler is accused of violating a Florida law prohibiting the intentional focusing of lasers on moving aircraft... Read more
6-Dec-2010Source: Kansas City Star
Kansas City police pulled over a pickup truck Wednesday night after a passenger aimed a green laser at the police helicopter, temporarily blinding the pilot.... Read more
4-Dec-2010Source: CBC
The helicopter will not be put into regular service until the New Year, city officials say.... Read more
1-Dec-2010Source: Policia Federal
In a ceremony headed by the Secretary of Public Security, Genaro Garcia Luna Engineer and U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pascual Mexico , in the Command Center of the Federal Police , carried out the delivery of three UH-60M Black Hawk, aircraft entirely new, specially designed to the specifications required by the federal Public Security Secretariat. The... Read more
30-Nov-2010Source: Winnipeg Free Press
The Winnipeg Police Service has invited dozens of justice officials and politicians to a 10:30 a.m. reception Dec. 3 at 17 Wing Winnipeg, where the new Eurocopter EC120 Colibri will be unveiled.... Read more
27-Nov-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The Investigative Police of Chile (PDI – PolicÃa de Investigaciones) will soon be launching a tender for the supply of one or more helicopters to support anti-drug operations. This is the result of central government funding approval as part of a determined push against drugs. The aircraft will need to operate at altitude as a... Read more
27-Nov-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The Governor of the Brazilian state of Parana confirmed this week the placing of an order for a second Eurocopter EC130 with Helibras. It is expected that the helicopter will be based in Guaira, in the Itaipu Lake area – a reputedly difficult area to monitor given borders with both Argentina and Paraguay. Covering a... Read more
25-Nov-2010Source: Eldersburg Patch
David H. Hopwood, 35, of the 7000-block of Bristol Place in Sykesville was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and prohibited use of a laser pointer.... Read more
25-Nov-2010Source: WPTV
A Martin County Sheriff’s Office helicopter pilot encountered an unexpected obstacle in the sky just after midnight. The aviation unit was on patrol in Jensen Beach when a laser illuminated the cockpit, according to the sheriff’s office.... Read more
24-Nov-2010Source: Gazettes
According to Lt. Richard Rocchi of the Long Beach Police Dept, it may not be too long before the unit receives two well-maintained used Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopters from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.... Read more
24-Nov-2010Source: Bild.de
The SensoCopter drone is to be used in monitoring of events and traffic, search activities and observations, as well as crime scene photographs.... Read more
24-Nov-2010Source: Miami Herald
Polk County deputies have arrested a Lakeland man for reportedly shining a laser into the cockpit of a sheriff’s helicopter and temporarily blinding the pilot.... Read more
24-Nov-2010Source: HAI
Helicopter Association International’s mission is to advance the helicopter as a safe, effective method of commerce. That mission charges each of us to commit ourselves to promoting the highest level of safety and efficiency. This culture of professionalism is nurtured when we encourage and recognize outstanding achievement and contributions made by individuals and organizations. Each... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: HeliHub.com
At the Dutch Police fleet of Bo105 helicopters and BN-2 fixed wing grew older, so they started looking at replacing them with a single newer and more capable type. After a tendering process, they selected the MD Explorer, placing an order for eight in early 2001, with MD using the annual Heli-Expo convention to announce... Read more
19-Nov-2010
The number of cases of pilots being dazzled by laser pens increased across the UK to 737 in 2009 compared with just 29 in 2007.... Read more
18-Nov-2010Source: American Eurocopter
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter announced that it has delivered another AS350 B3 to the Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support unit. This is the fifth AS350 B3 in the unit’s fleet of helicopters that has grown to meet the needs of its citizens and its expanding coverage area. The Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support... Read more
17-Nov-2010Source: MD Helicopters
Mesa, Arizona, November 16, 2010… MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) joins with the Wichita (KS) Police Department Air Section in celebrating its 40th anniversary. 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. The program was initially launched... Read more
17-Nov-2010Source: Flightcell International
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has announced the selection of the Flightcell DZM2 system for their new fleet of 14 Eurocopter AS 350 B2 patrol helicopters. The aircraft are currently undergoing completion at Hangar One, Carlsbad, CA and will be specifically tailored to the needs of the LASD Air Support Unit. The DZM2... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Orlando Sentinel
The jury found McGuire guilty of all three charges he faced: attempted destruction of an aircraft, using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime, and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. He will be sentenced Feb. 4.... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Police of the Province of Guanxi in China has placed an order for an AW139 medium twin helicopter. This aircraft will be used to perform a number of roles also including law enforcement and civil protection/disaster relief across the Province. The AW139 adds to the... Read more
16-Nov-2010
Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill said last week the new police helicopter should be in the air in early December.... Read more
15-Nov-2010Source: BBC
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced two charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft – not only the helicopter but also a Boeing 737 of airline Jet2.... Read more
12-Nov-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the General Security of Libya has taken delivery of its second AW139 medium twin engine helicopter. The aircraft is part of a total order for five AW139s sold in Libya to perform a range of roles also including border patrol and Search and Rescue and was... Read more
11-Nov-2010Source: Orlando Sentinal
McGuire, 27, is accused of shooting at an Orange County sheriff’s helicopter March 21 outside his home on Pacific Heights Circle.... Read more
10-Nov-2010Source: Indra
Indra has delivered an advanced full-motion simulator of the AS350 helicopter to American Eurocopter. The AS350 is the most widely employed surveillance helicopter in the U.S., with over 750 units in use by police forces across the nation. Indra designed, built, and installed the system at the aircraft manufacturer’s training center in Dallas, TX. Indra... Read more
3-Nov-2010Source: AgustaWestland
[Note – HeliHub.com first ran this story from Brazilian sources on 24th September. We are now publishing AgustaWestland’s press release dated 2nd November] AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company, is pleased to announce that the State of Goiás, in central Brazil, has ordered three AW119Ke single engine helicopters for law enforcement, fire-fighting and transport missions. The contract... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: American Eurocopter
Grand Prairie, Texas – American Eurocopter highlighted the multi-mission functionality of its AS350 B3 helicopter during the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference in Orlando from October 24th-26th. On display at the American Eurocopter booth was the AS350B3 currently in service with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) in Sanford, Florida. “The Seminole... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: HeliHub.com
After investigating a number of leads, HeliHub.com can report that the US Customs & Border Protection “CBP”, part of the Dept of Homeland Security, have put their entire MD600 fleet into desert storage. They are located at AMARC – the Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center facility managed by the US Air Force Material Command located... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix, Inc., located in Euless, TX, (DFW area) is proud to announce the recent delivery of the second NVIS Compatible Lighting System Modification for an AS350 B2 helicopter to the Aviation Section of the Suffolk County Police Department, located on Long Island, east of New York City. The NVG/NVIS compatible cockpit lighting includes modifications... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Russian Helicopters
(This press release follows HeliHub’s first report on this purchase, way back on 3-Sep-2010 – see here) Moscow, 26th October 2010 – Russian Helicopters rotorcraft-building holding that makes part of the UIC Oboronprom plans to deliver to Russian EMERCOM five Ka-32A11BC helicopters within 2011-12. In accordance with the state contract between Russian EMERCOM and Russian... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: ACPO
A new National Police Air Service (NPAS) is set to provide a more efficient and accessible air support service throughout England and Wales that offers better value for money. Responding to the findings of a comprehensive review commissioned in 2009, ACPO members have approved the central recommendation to replace the current air support system with... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11621898
A man has been arrested after a green laser was shone at a police helicopter which was responding to a burglary in Berkshire at the weekend.... Read more
22-Oct-2010Source: Columbus Dispatch
About 1 a.m. yesterday, Kellough was following a burglary suspect on the West Side when laser light struck his eyes. He said he sharply steered the helicopter away from the light, but not before his co-pilot was also temporarily blinded.... Read more
22-Oct-2010Source: BBC
The detailed plans would take away the air base which we currently have at Sheffield, and they would then get our service from bases in West Yorkshire, Humberside or Derbyshire.... Read more
22-Oct-2010Source: American Eurocopter
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter announced today that the company has delivered an AS350 B2 helicopter to the Aviation Section of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), located on Long Island, east of New York City. This is the third AS350 B2 in the SCPD’s fleet of four that also includes an EC145. The... Read more
20-Oct-2010Source: AgustaWestland
(HeliHub.com editor note – we have already run this story as reported in Maryland local press – this the confirmation from AgustaWestland via a press release) AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce today that it has been awarded a contract by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to provide six AW139 helicopters for... Read more
19-Oct-2010Source: Waz
Bulgaria has deployed helicopters fitted with cameras to fight internal tax evasion, which has become something of a national sport.... Read more
19-Oct-2010Source: ASU
Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) announced this week that they received a contract to complete cockpit modifications on three AS350s for the Phoenix Police Department. Phoenix has a population of more than 1.6 million people and is larger in square miles than Los Angeles. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States and the... Read more
19-Oct-2010Source: WPBF
A Jensen Beach teenager was arrested after he shined a laser light at a Martin County Sheriff’s Office helicopter early Saturday morning, authorities said.... Read more
18-Oct-2010Source: Police Aviation News
Next month the annual Police Air Support Units Networking Centre Europe [PACE] conference will be held at the NH Hotel Schiphol, at the airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 3-4 November 2010. More information can be found at www.pacenet.info This event will provide a unique opportunity for members to meet colleagues from all over Europe, to... Read more
17-Oct-2010
A state tender for six helicopters closed this week with AgustaWestland’s $72M bid the only one placed. Questions now being raised as to why they were the only manufacturer to bid, and why helicopters as large as AW139s are used for State police and EMS work... Read more
16-Oct-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office are now providing a log of their helicopter unit’s activities on its website – http://www.spokanecounty.org/Sheriff/ – Click on the “Air Support Unit†link, then on “Incident Reports.†“Area residents frequently contact media for information after hearing Air One circling their neighborhood at night or seeing it above during daytime searches,†the... Read more
16-Oct-2010Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
A Philadelphia teenager was convicted Thursday in Family Court of shining a laser pointer into the cockpit of a city police helicopter, temporarily blinding the pilot.... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: Prescott Daily Courier
Guidance Helicopters, Inc. in Prescott has donated a high-altitude four-seater helicopter to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to help with daytime search and rescue efforts.... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: Baltimore Sun
The AW139 was the only bid – a year back Eurocopter alleged that the state’s specifications for new aircraft were skewed in favour of AgustaWestland... Read more
13-Oct-2010Source: Becker Avionics
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has announced the selection of the Becker Avionics’ Digital Audio and Intercom System (DVCS6100) for their new fleet of 14 Eurocopter AS 350 B2 patrol helicopters. The aircraft will soon undergo completion at Hangar One, Carlsbad, California and will be specifically tailored to the needs of the LASD... Read more
12-Oct-2010Source: Guardia di Finanza
It is more than € 600,000 the commercial value of the brand new American helicopter “R44” of the “Robinson Helicopter” arrested nell’Elba Campo (LI) by the financiers of Naval Operations Department of Livorno, with the active collaboration of colleagues at the Naval Air Group in La Spezia . The service, in its initial phase, has... Read more
12-Oct-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Further to our recent report of the Belgian Police air unit purchasing an MD902 Explorer to add to their existing fleet of three MD900s, we can now report it has been delivered. Dutch website Avia DejaVu reports it stopping at Groningen Airport yesteday en its delivery route from Odense to Melsbroek airport in Brussels. This... Read more
10-Oct-2010Source: WFAA
Dallas Police operate two Bell 206s from 2006 and one Bell 407 from 2007. Maintenance costs are cited in the City’s decision to dispose... Read more
10-Oct-2010Source: WGMD
2010 marks the 40th Anniversary for the Delaware State Police Aviation Section and the 25th Anniversary of the Trooper-Medic program. To celebrate these anniversaries the Aviation Section is inviting the public to attend its Open House.... Read more
8-Oct-2010Source: MD Helicopters
Mesa, Arizona, October 8, 2010 … MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) and the Humberside Police Authority have announced that an MD Explorer has just been returned to service after its 10,000 hour inspection conducted by Police Aviation Services Ltd (PAS) in Gloucestershire UK. The helicopter is one of the busiest MD 902 Explorers in service and... Read more
8-Oct-2010Source: MD Helicopters
Mesa, Arizona, October 8, 2010… MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) and the Air Operations Unit of the West Yorkshire Police have announced that MD Explorer, helicopter serial number 078 has extended its record for flight hours, reaching 12,600 hours as of mid-September of this year. The flight hours exceed any other MD Explorer in the fleet,... Read more
7-Oct-2010Source: AgustaWestland
The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation in partnership with AgustaWestland North America proudly recognize innovations in homeland security, announcing four winners for their achievements in efforts designed to protect the United States and its citizens. “This year four $25,000 Homeland Security Awards are being sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, an independent Federal government agency,... Read more
7-Oct-2010Source: Wort
This article profiles the helicopter operation “Romeo 1” of the Luxembourg Police... Read more
7-Oct-2010Source: BBC
A teenager has been charged after a laser beam was shone at the Essex police helicopter.... Read more
4-Oct-2010Source: WPVI
A man is facing decades in prison for shining a laser into the cockpit of a Philadelphia police helicopter.... Read more
4-Oct-2010Source: WSYR
The deadline for the Onondaga County budget is next month, but there’s still no final decision about funding for the Air One emergency helicopter.... Read more
2-Oct-2010Source: DHnet
The Belgian Government agreed Friday to purchase a used MD902 for the Politie (Belgian Police), adding to the three MD900s they already have... Read more
1-Oct-2010Source: NewsOK
Police say they’ve arrested a man and charged him with shooting at the Oklahoma City Police Department’s helicopter in June.... Read more