Victoria Police Air Wing receive second AS365N3

Victoria Police Air Wing receive second AS365N3

21-Sep-2010 Source: Victoria Police

The Victoria Police Air Wing today welcome’s a new helicopter to their fleet that will continue to act as an eye in the sky, keeping Victorian’s safe.

The new helicopter, a Eurocopter AS 365 N3, will act as the primary aircraft for Victoria Police while the other AS365 N3 Dauphin will be shared with Air Ambulance Victoria, who are also based at Essendon Airport.

Emergency Response Division Superintendent John Todor said the new helicopter had been fitted with improved pilot and observer ergonomics, a moving map system and surveillance systems.

“The moving map system will assist the aircrew in determining a location a lot quicker and in particular a specific street address prior to the arrival of police vehicles,” Supt Todor said.

“This provides a more efficient and timely response to police and other incidents.

“The improved Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) surveillance system provides a better quality video and thermal image.

“The range of the camera has also been improved and will assist members in tracking suspects, vehicles and missing persons.

“The FLIR camera is attached to the side of the helicopter and operated by one of the crew members. The technology is so precise it allows numberplates to be read from 700 feet in the air.

“Night vision equipment has also been provided and allows for searching in areas of low light. At recent trials missing persons have been located from kilometres away just by the light omitted from their mobile phone.

“These added features will better help Air Wing members do their job and better service the community.”

Supt Todor said the old chopper had been instrumental in several operations and was at the forefront of all major incidents, including the Black Saturday bushfires.

During the previous 12 months the police helicopter has been involved in over 5300 tasks, varying from crime prevention and detection to search and rescue and traffic surveillance; 356 tasks involved searching for missing people across the state.

“The new chopper will serve as invaluable tool to the Air Wing and to the community and we look forward to putting it to good use,” Supt Todor said.

Thirty eight members form part of the Air Wing, including 14 pilots and 22 tactical flight officers.

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