Riverside County Sheriff selects Becker digital system for AS350 fleet upgrade
Source: Becker Avionics, 07-Jan-13
Becker Avionics announced today that Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California, selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system to upgrade their four Eurocopter AS350 multi-mission helicopters and single Cessna 182P surveillance fixed wing platform. During the next few months the Riverside Air Unit aircraft will undergo avionics upgrades, to include Becker’s Digital [...]
Kitchener Aero STC’s Garmin G500H in EC120
Source: Kitchener Aero, 06-Jan-13
Kitchener Aero Avionics (KAAV) – one of Canada’s premiere avionics and special missions modifiers – is pleased to announce another STC “first” with the completion of a “Glass-Cockpit” upgrade for the Eurocopter EC-120 helicopter. The heart of this mod is the Garmin G500H Flight Display system with Helicopter Synthetic Vision (HSVT), an Altitude Heading Reference [...]
Blue Christmas lights cause ‘difficulties’ for police helicopters
Source: BBC, 04-Jan-13
Tactical flight officer PC Paul Gridley said: “When we are approaching a scene, usually at 1000ft, we tend to use the blue lights of emergency vehicles as one way of guiding us into the scene” (see full story)
City must pay $38k for police officer helicopter lessons
Source: NJ.com, 03-Jan-13
An arbitrator has ruled against the township in a battle over who should pay for helicopter flying lessons taken by two police officers, but an appeal is already under way, officials said. (see full story)
HeliHub.com reported 3,432 news stories in 2012
Source: HeliHub.com, 02-Jan-13
As we launch into 2013, HeliHub.com is proud to announce that we filed no fewer than 3,432 news stories in 2012. This averages around 14 stories per working day, and with the rate increasing towards the end of the year, the total for 2013 is expected to be a step-change higher. We are already clear [...]
Texas DPS faces questions on use of helicopter sharpshooter
Source: ACLU of Texas, 01-Jan-13
The ACLU of Texas Tuesday asked Attorney General Greg Abbott to compel the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to comply with open records requests about a DPS shooting of unarmed persons last October 25 that resulted in two fatalities. A sharpshooter fired several shots from a helicopter while in pursuit of a moving vehicle. [...]
28-Dec-12 N407KS Bell 407 Renton, US-Washington
28-Dec-12
“Guardian One” Helicopter fell off side of ground handling trolley during run up, causing tail to contact the ground
Happy Christmas from the HeliHub.com team
Source: HeliHub.com, 21-Dec-12
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a financially secure 2013. This is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we trust many of our readers will take time to consider what that means to the world, perhaps through attending a [...]
Finland to add two more AS332L1 for SAR missions
Source: Eurocopter, 21-Dec-12
The Finnish Border Guard is to expand its Eurocopter fleet with the acquisition of two additional AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters fully equipped for maritime search and rescue missions in the country’s challenging conditions. With deliveries scheduled for 2015, the rotorcraft will be configured as the AS332 L1e version, incorporating the integrated advanced cockpit and [...]
Jacksonville helicopter crew win awards for risky water rescues
Source: Florida Times Union, 20-Dec-12
The heroism of two Jacksonville Police officers earned them a Medal of Merit and a Medal of Valor for their May 26 mission during Tropical Storm Beryl. One of the pair received a second medal after a July 23 rescue of a woman in the Intracoastal Waterway. (see full story)
Tatarstan Police takes delivery of two Mi-8AMTs
Source: Russian Helicopters, 19-Dec-12
Russian Helicopters, part of Russian state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, this month delivered two multirole Mi-8AMThelicopters built by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant to the Republic of Tatarstan Interior Ministry. The contract was signed in August 2012 and Russian Helicopters delivered on the helicopters schedule. The Mi-8AMTs will fly missions [...]
18-Dec-12 N804MP Eurocopter AS350B3 Miami, US-Florida
18-Dec-12
Bird strike – turkey vulture broke windshield and injured pilot – the only person on board. Safe landing in a parking lot
Brazil – Bahia State Public Security receive EC145
Source: Helibras, 17-Dec-12
[Electronic translation from local language] Helibras has held the official handover of another helicopter for Public Security of the Government of Bahia, when the aircraft was presented to the people soteropolitano. This is the first EC145 marketed in the country by the company to operate in that state police missions. ‘s contract acquisition of new [...]
Santa Barbara County refurbish UH-1 for fire and sheriff tasks
12-Dec-12
Commissioned into service Monday at Santa Ynez Airport, state-of-the-art Copter 3 is able to provide law enforcement functions as well as aerial firefighting, search and rescue, air ambulance service, and the transport of Special Enforcement Team (SET) members. (see full story) File photo
EHS Announce Patron for 2013 event
Source: European Helicopter Show, 11-Dec-12
European Helicopter Show is pleased to announce the patronage of Mr Přemysl Sobotka, Vice-President of the Senate of Parliament, Czech Republic. The political career of Mr Přemysl Sobotka started in the Velvet Revolution in 1989, where he was a member of the “for-all” Civic Forum and joined the right-wing Civic Democratic Party after its foundation [...]
FAA approves Grand Forks County Sheriff to use Draganflyer X6 UAS
Source: Grand Forks County, 11-Dec-12
On November 27, 2012 the Federal Aviation Administration issued the Grand Forks County (North Dakota) Sheriff’s Department a Certificate of Authorization (COA) permitting the operation of a Draganflyer X6 small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) within the 16 counties located in northeastern North Dakota. The counties include: Grand Forks, Rolette, Towner, Cavalier, Pembina, Pierce, Benson, Ramsey, [...]
Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul receive AS350B3e
Source: Helibras, 30-Nov-12
[Electronic translation] The Helibras handed, on Wednesday (28), an AS350 helicopter B3e for the Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul – the first aircraft to be operated by the corporation in the State. She was delivered by Government Market Manager, Mauro Ayres, and was received in Porto Alegre, the governor Genro. The acquisition is due [...]
St Louis Metro Air Support buys new 500E
30-Nov-12
In addition to a new mobile equipment storage truck and armored vehicle, the St. Louis County Police Department has purchased a new helicopter for its Metro Air Support Division. (see full story) file photo
30-Nov-12 Enstrom 480B Pondok Cabe, Indonesia
30-Nov-12
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.”
Seattle police UAV plan hits severe turbulence
Source: Reuters, 28-Nov-12
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)
UK – Proposal for military to back up Police
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Nov-12
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 [...]
Dept Homeland Security issues UAV impact assessment report
Source: Dept of Homeland Security, 27-Nov-12
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 [...]
FAA issues STC for Trakkabeam A800 searchlight on AS350B3
Source: American Eurocopter, 27-Nov-12
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 [...]
Cobham donates $72K radio for Yavapai County Sheriff R44
25-Nov-12
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)
Beijing Public Security takes delivery of AW139 for fire fighting
Source: AgustaWestland, 20-Nov-12
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 [...]
Atlanta Police return to the air
19-Nov-12
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
Two Pasadena Police OH-58s contact each other
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Nov-12
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 [...]
17-Nov-12 N911FA Bell OH-58A Altadena, US-California
17-Nov-12
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, [...]
17-Nov-12 N96BM Bell OH-58A Altadena, US-California
17-Nov-12
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, [...]
Alaska Dept of Public Safety orders AS350B3e
Source: American Eurocopter, 15-Nov-12
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 [...]
14-Nov-12 Guelmim, Morocco (9F)
14-Nov-12
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
Profile – San Juan County Sheriff’s helicopter unit
05-Nov-12
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)
Oakland County Sheriff sued for helicopter incident
Source: MIchigan Live, 05-Nov-12
The complaint says the pilot operated the chopper “in a reckless and negligent fashion” etc (see full story)
Belgian Police grounded by budget issues?
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Nov-12
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 [...]
03-Nov-12 N368PD Hughes OH-6A Altlanta, US-Georgia (2F)
03-Nov-12
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.
Kenya Police considers suing Eurocopter over AS350B3e crash
Source: Kenya Broadcasting, 02-Nov-12
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)
Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police president suspended over helicopter allegations
Source: Chicago Tribune, 01-Nov-12
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)
Redlands and Fontana Police departments share aerial coverage
Source: San Bernardino Sun, 31-Oct-12
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)
Philippine National Police look to purchase15 helicopters
Source: Police Aviation News, 24-Oct-12
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 [...]
Royal Malaysian Police wants more helicopters
23-Oct-12
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
DeSoto Parish Sheriff acquires R44 from DeSoto County Sheriff
22-Oct-12
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)
21-Oct-12 N956LA Eurocopter AS350B3 Lakewood, US-California
21-Oct-12
LA County Sheriff made emergency landing on highway after a bird strike at night
Tracer Aviation launch High Definition helicopter video recorder
Source: Tracer Aviation, 19-Oct-12
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 [...]
Colombian Air Force closes first workshop on aviation drug interdiction
Source: Colombian Air Force, 15-Oct-12
(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 [...]
13-Oct-12 N40TN Bell OH-58 Jackson, US-Tennessee
13-Oct-12
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
European Helicopter Show 2013 dates announced
Source: European Helicopter Show, 12-Oct-12
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 [...]
Santa Barbara County Supervisor defends aviation unit
Source: KEYT, 12-Oct-12
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)
25 years sentence for shooting at LAPD helicopter
Source: KABC, 12-Oct-12
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
Detroit Police to receive military surplus OH-58C
10-Oct-12
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
UK – Construction starts on Exeter operations unit for police and air ambulance
Source: Morgan Sindall, 10-Oct-12
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 [...]
Two more AW139s for Japan’s National Police Agency
Source: AgustaWestland, 10-Oct-12
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 [...]
Large helicopter fleet deployed for Haj security
08-Oct-12
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)
Maryland State Police unveil new medevac AW139
Source: Maryland State Police, 07-Oct-12
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 [...]
UK – National Police Air Service is launched
Source: ACPO, 03-Oct-12
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 [...]
Draganflyer ‘ES’ unmanned helicopter assists Fire and Police services
Source: Draganflyer, 30-Sep-12
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 [...]
American Eurocopter showcases AStar leadership at IACP 2012
Source: American Eurocopter, 28-Sep-12
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 [...]
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police upgrades with Becker Digital Airborne Intercom
Source: Becker Avionics, 27-Sep-12
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 [...]
24-Sep-12 N911BL MD Helicopters MD530F Las Vegas, US-Nevada
24-Sep-12
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.
Botswana’s three AS350B3 helicopters upgraded for night operations
Source: DefenceWeb, 23-Sep-12
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)
Queensland Police running 3 month Bo105 trial
Source: Queensland Police, 23-Sep-12
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: [...]
Namibia Police Air Wing takes delivery of EC145
Source: DefenceWeb, 23-Sep-12
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)
FAA certifies Robinson R66 Police variant
Source: Robinson, 23-Sep-12
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 [...]
Cobham to provide comms package for Korean National Police’s Surion program
Source: Cobham, 21-Sep-12
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 [...]
Buyer wins suit over defective ex-police helicopter
Source: Columbus Dispatch, 21-Sep-12
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 [...]
Turbomeca renews Global Support Package with French Government
Source: Turbomeca, 21-Sep-12
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 [...]
Wysong adds new equipment to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police 407s
Source: Wysong Enterprises, 20-Sep-12
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 [...]
Pima County set to unveil new AS350B3e
20-Sep-12
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
Eurocopter Southern Africa hosts airborne law enforcement seminar
Source: DefenceWeb, 19-Sep-12
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)
Nigerian Police add two more Bell 412s
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Sep-12
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 [...]
Aero Dynamix delivers MD500E NVG upgrades for Kansas City Police
Source: Aero Dynamix, 18-Sep-12
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 [...]
