30-Nov-2012
Crashed on a training flight at Pondok Cabe airfield, injuring both occupants. “Pamulang police chief Comr. Nasir said that pilot Insp. M Ibnu and copilot First Brig. Togu were about three meters off the ground and about to land when the helicopter suddenly fell into a nosedive.”... Read more
28-Nov-2012Source: Reuters
The two Draganflyer X6 remote-controlled miniature helicopters purchased by Seattle have so far been mostly grounded, restricted to training and demonstration flights. Each is equipped to carry video, still and night-vision cameras. (see full story)... Read more
27-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
On Thursday 15th November, UK held its first ever Police chief elections and 41 new “Police and Crime Commissioners” have been elected across England and Wales in an attempt to give the public a say in cutting crime in their area. In the far southwest of England lies the counties of Devon and Cornwall, which... Read more
27-Nov-2012Source: Dept of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science &Technology (S&T) Directorate and the State of Oklahoma are partnering on the Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety (RAPS) project to test and evaluate Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) for potential use by the first responder community and DHS operational components. SUAS include small aircraft (typically under 55 pounds... Read more
27-Nov-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that is has issued a Supplementary Type Certificate (STC) with concurrence from the FAA for the installation of the Trakkabeam A800 Searchlight System on the AS350 B3 helicopter. The A800 searchlight, as installed, provides a compact and modern solution for law enforcement and other operators. Advantages of the Trakkabeam A800 searchlight... Read more
25-Nov-2012
Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher has accepted a donated RT-5000 radio from Cobham Aerospace Communications. The $72,000 radio was custom-built for YCSO, and can be upgraded as technology changes. (see full story)... Read more
20-Nov-2012Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Fire Fighting Department of Beijing’s Public Security Bureau has taken delivery of an AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter. This aircraft will perform fire fighting and disaster relief mission in and around Beijing as well as law enforcement missions in cooperation with the Beijing Police. This... Read more
19-Nov-2012
The Atlanta Police Department’s small fleet of helicopters is scheduled to return to the air Monday, two weeks after the crash of their OH-6A N368PD that killed two law enforcement officers. (see full story) File photo... Read more
18-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
A pair of law enforcement Bell OH-58s came into contact with each other on Saturday, just as one was in the process of landing and the other taking off. Pasadena Police are now two helicopters down, but still have four others immediately available according to a local television interview. Both helicopters ended up on their... Read more
17-Nov-2012
Low level collision between one helicopter landing and the other taking off from the adjacent pad. N911FA ended up on its skids, main blades missing and damage to rear cabin area after apparently being hit by main blades of N98BM. Boom of N911FA still attached (just) but fallen to ground at tail. Six to hospital,... Read more
17-Nov-2012
Low level collision between one helicopter landing and the other taking off from the adjacent pad. N98BM ended up on its skids, main blades missing and damage to front cabin area after apparently being hit by main blades of N911FA. Six to hospital, two in each helicopter plus two on the ground. On Monday 19th,... Read more
15-Nov-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that the Alaska Department of Public Safety has purchased an AS350 B3e to support operations of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and State Troopers. The new AS350 B3e will be based in Fairbanks, Alaska, bringing enhanced capabilities to the agency’s existing helicopter fleet, which also includes an AS350 B3. “When we decided... Read more
14-Nov-2012
Nine people were killed and two seriously injured in a military helicopter crash in the Guelmim area of southwest Morocco late on Wednesday. Eight of the passengers were pronounced dead on the spot and another succumbed to injuries in hospital. One source names operator as Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie... Read more
5-Nov-2012
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has had a helicopter since 2001. It’s the only police helicopter in hundreds of miles, the next closest is in Albuquerque. The unit comprises just Gross, two deputies trained as tactical flight officers and a civilian contract pilot (see full story)... Read more
5-Nov-2012Source: MIchigan Live
The complaint says the pilot operated the chopper “in a reckless and negligent fashion” etc (see full story)... Read more
4-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Multiple media oulets, including the La Dernière Heure website, have filed a story in recent days saying that the helicopters of the Belgian Federal Police are grounded by budgetary issues. The problem reportedly covers the refuelling of the helicopters at airfields where a fuel card would be used – and the fuel card has no... Read more
3-Nov-2012
Police helicopter crashed on night search operation, killing both officers on board – later named as Richard J. Halford and Shawn A. Smiley. Later report stated it hit a powerline pole and part of the cable was wrapped around the skids. Post crash fire.... Read more
2-Nov-2012Source: Kenya Broadcasting
Kenya Police are considering taking Eurocopter to court. The basis is apparently that the manufacturer supplied a newer AS350B3e model and not the older AS350B3 that the police contracted for. (see full story) see also 10-Jun-12 5Y-CDT Eurocopter AS350B3e Ngong Hills, Kenya (6F)... Read more
1-Nov-2012Source: Chicago Tribune
Timothy Swanson faces an investigation into a police helicopter program he began while chief of southwest suburban Countryside in 2005 and then moved to Kankakee County in 2009, records show. (see full story)... Read more
31-Oct-2012Source: San Bernardino Sun
Two forces – one with a Robinson R44 (and expanding to R66) and one with a Cessna fixed-wing – to merge aviation operations (see full story)... Read more
24-Oct-2012Source: Police Aviation News
One of the highlight presentations of the Tangent Link POLICE AVIATION event held in the Prince Hotel & Residence in central Kuala Lumpur this week was that given by Police Senior Superintendent Joselito F Salido of the Philippine National Police [PNP]. During times when it seems few worthwhile sales opportunities are to be found in the law... Read more
23-Oct-2012
The Royal Malaysian Police is looking to expand its fleet of helicopters for better air support in each state. (see full story). They currently operate Eurocopter AS355Ns... Read more
22-Oct-2012
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office has a new weapon to help fight crime. The Sheriff recently bought a Robinson R44 Helicopter from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. (see full story)... Read more
21-Oct-2012
LA County Sheriff made emergency landing on highway after a bird strike at night... Read more
19-Oct-2012Source: Tracer Aviation
Tracer Aviation, the Cambridge (UK) based developer of specialist airborne video equipment, has launched a new range of High Definition rugged airborne video recorders to meet demand from the airborne surveillance sector which is increasingly using the latest generation of HD camera systems. Following market feedback, Tracer’s new multi-channel recording deck will handle a single... Read more
15-Oct-2012Source: Colombian Air Force
(electronic translation from original) After two days of the seminar held in the capital city, which was represented in 25 countries of the continent, successfully concluded this academic event, where experience showed that Colombia has acquired over time, in the fight against illicit drug trafficking by air. He highlighted the work being done combined with... Read more
13-Oct-2012
Heavy landing in cemetery. Tail boom sliced off by main blades. Starboard skid collapsed. Sgt. Gerald Wiltshire was pilot and Officer Tony Valdes serving as an observer ... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: European Helicopter Show
The dates are now confirmed for European Helicopter Show 2013. The event will take place at Hradec Králové in Czech Republic during 9th – 11th of May 2013. This new helicopter event in Czech Republic, 9th -11th May 2013, is already attracting a positive reaction within the helicopter industry, with major manufacturers including Bell Europe... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: KEYT
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf is standing by the newly combined Aviation Unit despite some critics who say crews from the fire and sheriff’s department’s are not working well together. (see full story)... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: KABC
A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for firing a gun at a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter while it was in flight. He was 18 at the time of the incident (see full story) File Photo... Read more
11-Oct-2012
Hit wires on take-off. 1 killed, 8 injured... Read more
10-Oct-2012
The Detroit Police Department, after nearly a decade of pursuit, has been granted a helicopter from the U.S. Military. (see full story) File photo... Read more
10-Oct-2012Source: Morgan Sindall
The Barnstaple office of Morgan Sindall has secured a £1.5 million contract to deliver new offices, welfare facilities and an aircraft hangar at Exeter Airport for Devon and Cornwall Police. The new two-storey office building will house the Air Operations Unit for Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon Air Ambulance Trust, both of which currently... Read more
10-Oct-2012Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the signing of a contract for two additional AW139 medium twin helicopters in Japan with its distributor Mitsui Bussan Aerospace. The AW139s will be operated by the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) to perform multi-role law enforcement missions in the Toyama and Osaka Prefectures. These JNPA helicopters... Read more
8-Oct-2012
A total of 19 helicopters – including Sikorsky S92, S70i and Schweizer 434s – have been deployed in Haj security operations this year and the operations have begun relatively early. (see full story)... Read more
7-Oct-2012Source: Maryland State Police
On Fridya, Governor Martin O’Malley joined Colonel Marcus Brown, officials from AgustaWestland, representatives from the state’s emergency medical services community, and other officials to unveil the first new Maryland State Police medevac helicopter, an important step forward in replacing Maryland’s aging medevac helicopter fleet. “The most sacred responsibility that any government holds is to protect... Read more
3-Oct-2012Source: ACPO
The new National Police Air Service (NPAS) was launched on Monday October 1, 2012 The new service will provide more efficient and accessible air support to the police service throughout England and Wales that offers better value for money. Responding to the findings of a comprehensive review commissioned in 2009, the Association of Chief Police... Read more
30-Sep-2012Source: Draganflyer
The Draganflyer ES (Emergency Services) unmanned aircraft line provides two models, a six rotor Draganflyer X6-ES helicopter and a new larger version with four rotors, the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter. The X6-ES and X4-ES are models exclusively sold to Public Safety Agencies. Used to obtain video from an aerial vantage point, these unmanned aircraft feature a digital wireless video... Read more
28-Sep-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter, whose wide product line has become the standard for U.S. Airborne Law Enforcement, will feature its AS350 B2 from the Ontario (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit at this year’s International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in San Diego. “The AS350 series has become the helicopter of choice... Read more
27-Sep-2012Source: Becker Avionics
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Aviation unit recently selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system for their two Bell 407 helicopters. Wysong Enterprises Inc. in Blountville, TN completed an extensive avionics and mission equipment upgrade for both aircraft during the summer prior to the CM aviation unit’s demanding operations supporting the Democratic National Convention... Read more
24-Sep-2012
Heavy landing on training flight and ended up on its starboard side. Local press later named (here) Police Sgt. Darin R. Garness as being at the controls, and the other pilot was officer Clifford Wicks.... Read more
23-Sep-2012Source: DefenceWeb
The three AS350B3s of the Botswana Police have been upgraded for night operations. Eurocopter South Africa modified the instrument panel and the FLIR camera observer’s console to be NVG compliant. (see full story)... Read more
23-Sep-2012Source: Queensland Police
In mid August, the Queensland Police Service commenced a 13 week contract with Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Rescue Service. As a result, the police chopper is now a BO105 EC Super 5, ex-German police helicopter with an excellent reputation and history. It is a twin-engine gas turbine, equipped with state-of- the-art navigation and surveillance equipment including:... Read more
23-Sep-2012Source: DefenceWeb
Namibia’s Ministry of Safety & Security ordered the twin-engined multi-mission helicopter in 2011 to complement NAMPOL’s existing fleet of Eurocopter AS350B3 aircraft. The EC145 is serial 9533 from the production line (see full story)... Read more
23-Sep-2012Source: Robinson
On 7 September 2012, Robinson Helicopter Company received FAA certification for the R66 Turbine Police Helicopter. Robinson’s R66 Police model is specially configured for law enforcement and meets the latest FAA crashworthiness regulations. The four-place R66 Police helicopter combines R66 power, altitude performance, and capacity with the latest in surveillance systems. Turn-key ready, the R66... Read more
21-Sep-2012Source: Cobham
Cobham Aerospace Communications has been selected to provide the audio/radio communications package for the Korean National Police Agency’s (KNPA) new Surion utility helicopter. The twin-engine Surion was jointly developed by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter and is expected to begin service in 2014. Surions produced for the KNPA through 2025 will feature Cobham’s lightweight... Read more
21-Sep-2012Source: Columbus Dispatch
Purchaser awarded C$380,000 in damages against City of Columbus over faults in a helicopter they sold in 2009. (see full story) HeliHub.com research suggests (but NOT confirmed) that the aircraft was serial 0540E, sold ex FAA registration N553CR to Canada in 2009 and first registered to Versatile Helicopters as C-FZHS. It has since been sold... Read more
21-Sep-2012Source: Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran group) has renewed the “MCO†(Global Support Package) contract, entitled MCO 2*, with the French Government. Turbomeca undertakes, under the terms of this contract, to ensure availability of the 1,408 turbo-shaft engines equipping French Government helicopters for a 10-year period. These helicopters are used for military and paragovernmental missions of the French Air... Read more
20-Sep-2012Source: Wysong Enterprises
The Democratic National Convention may be over, but the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will continue to experience the effects of it being held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wysong Enterprises, Inc. was tasked with providing essential modifications and installations to their fleet of Bell 407 helicopters for protection during the convention. “We have performed many installations and... Read more
20-Sep-2012
The Eurocopter AS350B3e will be introduced to the community at 10 a.m. on September 24 at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson. (see full story) File photo... Read more
19-Sep-2012Source: DefenceWeb
Representatives from law enforcement agencies and police forces from around the world gathered in Centurion, South Africa, on Monday for the 3rd biennial airborne law enforcement seminar being hosted by Eurocopter Southern Africa. (see full story)... Read more
18-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The Nigerian Police have recently added two more Bell 412EPs to bring their fleet of the type to six. Serials 36576 and 36577 – test flown as N455ZT and N4554L – arrived last week in Lagos after shipment across the Atlantic. Both aircraft are shown on the FAA register as 2011 builds and have yet... Read more
18-Sep-2012Source: Aero Dynamix
Aero Dynamix announces the delivery of certified NVG cockpit upgrades for three MD500E helicopters operated by the Kansas City Police Department. These aircraft are the newest addition to the KCPD fleet of airborne law enforcement assets. The NVG upgrades encompass internal NVIS avionics modifications, edge lit panels, instrument overlays and all other internal and external... Read more
14-Sep-2012Source: Heli-One
Heli-One, the world’s largest independent provider of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) announces the recent signing of an agreement to integrate upgraded communications equipment on the Slovenian National Police’s Eurocopter EC135 helicopter. Specifically, the contract calls for the installation of a Tetra radio. The Tetra product is a private mobile communications system that can... Read more
13-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com
A 1976-built Eurocopter Bo105 has been sold to the CIS state of Georgia and was delivered yesterday, reports Avia-DejaVu.net. The Bo105C started its operational life with the Dutch Police until it was withdrawn from use in 2010 on the introduction of the Eurocopter EC135 to their fleet. The remaining Bo105 fleet were taken to Emmen... Read more
13-Sep-2012Source: Turbomeca
During the ILA Berlin Air Show, Turbomeca (Safran group) announces the signature of a Support by the Hour agreement with the German Federal Police. This Support by the Hour agreement (SBH®) covers 32 Arrius 2B2 engines powering 16 twin-engine EC135T2i helicopters. Spread over 12 bases, the German Federal Police is performing air rescue missions around... Read more
12-Sep-2012Source: Curtiss-Wright Controls
The new 17†Skyquest AVDU-4300 is the first in a new generation of displays to join our extensive lineup. Featuring a new screen size with full 1080p resolution, this display is compatible with the leading Electro-optical (EO) turret products currently on the market. The versatile AVDU-4300 offers hard bezel keys for core controls such as... Read more
6-Sep-2012Source: Detroit Free Press
Two owners of classic cars at the Woodward Dream Cruise said their vehicles were damaged — and one said two of his children suffered minor injuries — after a helicopter from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office churned up a hail of dust and rocks when it hovered over their party of more than 100 people... Read more
6-Sep-2012Source: WJBF
Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division helicopter pilot Herbert L. Craven who was under investigation has resigned. (see full story)... Read more
3-Sep-2012Source: Defensa.com
The National Public Procurement of June 12 this year has been declared illegal by the Paraguay Government. The award made to Proibérica of $15M for three Bell UH-1H for the National Police is at the centre of the controversy (read full story, electronic translation)... Read more
3-Sep-2012Source: Washington Times
Faced with a skeptical public uneasy about the potential impact of drones on personal privacy, three leading law enforcement groups on Friday endorsed industry-backed guidelines limiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). (see full story)... Read more
3-Sep-2012Source: Suffolk Police
Suffolk Police has increased its presence on social networking sites by launching a Twitter account for the force helicopter. @Angliaskycops launched this morning and police are encouraging residents to follow the new account. Last August Suffolk Police launched a Twitter account for the whole force, tweeting about campaigns, news stories and more. The account now... Read more
1-Sep-2012
Accident caused the deaths of the captain of the aircraft, chief-inspector Tiago Casimiro, his assistant, João Adelino João Brandão, as well as the workers of the Provincial Electoral Commission, Lourenço Mussenoho and Maria Augusta João.... Read more
31-Aug-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Following the decision to replace their existing Eurocopter EC120 fleet, Baltimore Police have recently launched operations with the first of their four new helicopters – replacing the four old ones which are all at or close to their 12 year overhaul. By taking new aircraft, the Maryland city has also been provided the opportunity to... Read more
31-Aug-2012
State Police Trooper/pilot Trooper Thomas A. Shultz, 41, was injured in a very heavy landing after “he experienced an in-flight mechanical emergency.” Photo shows skids splayed out after landing in a wooded area... Read more
28-Aug-2012Source: CBC
The two Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) units will be used taking aerial photos and videos of motor vehicle collision scenes and crime scenes. (see full story)... Read more
28-Aug-2012Source: NVAC
On Wednesday August 8th, 2012, in response to an open invitation to industry, a group of Night Vision Goggle (NVG) industry professionals convened in Dallas, Texas. Hosted by FlightSafety International, the purpose of the meeting was to develop a council of NVG subject matter experts to provide recommendations on safety, education, standardization, and other issues... Read more
20-Aug-2012Source: AUVSI
AUVSI applauded the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) for adopting guidelines for the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The guidelines provide law enforcement agencies an outline of how to use UAS safely and responsibly, and with respect to individuals’ privacy. The adoption of the IACP guidelines follows the recent adoption of AUVSI’s... Read more
20-Aug-2012
Came down suddenly short of intended landing point while on approach on a training flight. Student Edvaldo Francisco dos Santos (a Major in the Military Police), 46, suffered a fractured spine, and flight instructor John Bosco da Cunha, 62, a fractured right tibia.... Read more
18-Aug-2012
Main driveshaft failure in low level hover... Read more
18-Aug-2012
Lack of fuel. The helicopter landed hard and the main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail boom, forward of the tail rotor assembly.... Read more
15-Aug-2012Source: Friends of Henry 1
Launched by a cross-section of Sonoma County professionals in early 2012, Friends of Henry 1 seeks to ease budget challenges which threaten the continuation of Henry 1, the North Bay Region’s rescue helicopter program, operated by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. Friends of Henry 1 actively seeks public and private donors to keep this vital... Read more
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