20-Apr-2011Source: Eagle Copters
Eagle Copters Ltd. (ECL) has been awarded a contract to provide the City of Houston and the Houston Police Department with a fully mission equipped Bell 412EP helicopter. In operation since 1970, the Houston Police Department Air Support Division (Helicopter Patrol Division) has grown into the second largest municipal helicopter police air support unit in... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: St Augustine Record
“Whenever we get in bed with the county, we get screwed,” said Commissioner Cathy Brandhorst. She also said that the arrangement would amount to “purchasing a liability.”... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Santa Barbara Sheriff
The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Aviation Unit is being honored for more than 10 years of safe flying while using night vision equipment to protect the public. In 1998, the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit increased its ability to run operations after sundown when it purchased four pairs of night vision goggles thanks to a special grant through... Read more
16-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In the last two weeks, two more police helicopter units in the UK have joined Twitter and started to spread news of their work via the successful social media site. The two are West Midlands – @WMP_Helicopter South Yorkshire – @SYP_AirOps Suoth Yorkshire currently appears to be just an automated feed of the jobs their... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: US Dept of Justice
PHILADELPHIA – James Gautieri, 54, of Williamsport, PA, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for interference with an aircraft or aircraft facilities, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Gautieri was convicted at trial on September 30, 2010 of his involvement in an April 30, 2008 incident during which he shined a laser... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: Cleveland Police
‘Helicopter Watch’ will be updated daily to give details of what operations the helicopter has been involved in and whereabouts in the Force area it has been. The new helicopter was delivered three months ago and since then has: Attended 550 incidents Airlifted 2 casualties to hospital Assisted in the arrest of 109 people Attended... Read more
12-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com recently reported that New Hanover County Sheriff had chosen to terminate their own air law enforcement program, and put their R44 up for auction on GovDeals.com, which closed yesterday at $425K – it was bought in 2008 for $690K. New Hanover County is putting $300K into the SABLE program – joining the Wilmington and... Read more
8-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Turkish Security General Directorate intends to broaden its fleet with ten new helicopters, specifically stating a need to better track suspected criminals and intervening in incidents that could erupt during mass demonstrations. Reports state that they are finding their current MD600 fleet “insufficient in most cases” citing “performance problems, particularly in high temperatures and... Read more
8-Apr-2011Source: ASU
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) announced that they will host an afternoon mixer from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, July 21 at the convention hall, and present the night vision awards in New Orleans at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) 41st annual conference. Drinks and light appetizers will be served. “ALEA annual conference is a unique event... Read more
5-Apr-2011Source: Helibras
(Electronic translation from original Portuguese press release) The shielding system of Squirrel helicopters produced by Helibras provides protection for crews and aircraft parts considered vital against light weapons with a caliber 7.62 and 5.56 mm level III, enhancing its ability to work in hostile environments. The installation consists of putting removable plates of material resistant... Read more
4-Apr-2011Source: Sussex Police
A collaboration to share air support across the counties of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire was officially launched Friday at Shoreham Airport. Although the South East Air Support Unit (SEASU) has been operational since October, today marked the start of operations under a single Police Air Operator’s Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. Under the... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: Keys Net
Monroe County Sheriff Bob Peryam wants to borrow one of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District’s helicopters from time to time. He says it would be a public safety enhancement at a savings to county taxpayers.... Read more
30-Mar-2011Source: Pensacola News Journal
Sheriff David Morgan announced Monday that a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Justice Program will allow the agency to restart its air unit on a temporary basis beginning this week. The unit, which flies two OH-58s, has been grounded since 1st March 2009 – see HeliHub.com story... Read more
28-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bond Aviation Group, the UK company encompassing the onshore operator Bond Air Service and its sister company Bond Offshore Helicopters, is set to be sold by Stephen and Peter Bond for a figure thought to be around £300 million (approx $480M). The buyers are the two private equity groups that own Spanish operator INAER, which... Read more
28-Mar-2011Source: Press-Enterprise
Sgt. Russ Shubert, who as a young officer landed a bullet-riddled helicopter after his partner had been shot... Read more
23-Mar-2011Source: Richland County Sheriff
During a news conference this week, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott unveiled the newest addition to the Department’s efforts in making our communities safer – A.I.R. Aerial Intelligence and Response. Intelligence gathering, surveillance, search and rescue or special responses to critical incidents are now made easier through the use of radio controlled (RC) technology. Sheriff Lott... Read more
20-Mar-2011Source: ABC
Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell will mark the final week of the New South Wales’ election campaign later today with a promise to fund more police officers and a a new Ua$16 million counter-terrorism helicopter and 100 additional police vehicles.... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that the Ontario (CA) Police Department has ordered its third AS350 B2. The aircraft, which will enter service in late spring, will primarily be used for aerial patrol and special operations surveillance throughout the department’s service area in and around Ontario, California. The single-engine AS350 B2 offers the best... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: Helinet Technologies
Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today its selection by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) to implement and support an integrated video downlink system for the department’s Aviation Support Unit (ASU). Designed to meet the OCSD’s need for a comprehensive, tactical downlink... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: MD Helicopters
[Editor note – This is one in a long series MD Helicopters puts out every time this airframe passes the next 1000 figure – see here] Aircraft Number 078 Surpasses All Other MD Explorers in the Fleet MESA, AZ, March 6, 2011 – MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI), a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters,... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bidding is underway on the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office auctions off its Robinson R44 – see earlier stories on this operation on HeliHub.com here The auction opened in the last week on the website govdeals.com starting at $150,000. It is currently showing 7 bids with the highest at $350,000. see http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=268&acctID=359 Sheriff Ed McMahon... Read more
13-Mar-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has collaborated with a third party vendor to develop a customized advanced armament solution for the Rio Military Police. Designed, developed and qualified by Bell Helicopter and LifePort Inc., this specific armor adds security and protection for pilots, passengers and crew, while maintaining a spacious cabin for... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: TBO
Pasco County Sheriff have opened a new 10,000 sq.ft building, which will house their four helicopters. By use of inmate labour, the Sheriff saved roughly $700K of construction costs... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Winnipeg police made a quick arrest after someone directed a laser beam at their helicopter. The EC120 was flying over a downtown neighbourhood when it was targetted by a laser pointer. Officers quickly pinpointed the house where they believed the beam was coming from and made an arrest. The man was later released, but only... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Bond Air Services has placed orders for eight Eurocopter EC135 T2e enhanced versions. This new model take the maximum takeoff weight of up to 2,950 kg and offers a 40-kg. gain in payload and allowing an extra passenger to be carried with a load margin extension from its previous weight rating. Currently, Bond Air... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: Daily Courier
With very little discussion, the Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a consent agenda item for a contract between the county and Prescott Wing & Rotor for the overhaul of a R44 Raven 2 helicopter donated to the county by Guidance Helicopters Inc. of Prescott.... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: US News LV
Philippine National Police (PNP) Tuesday launched the “Sky Police†which will conduct aerial anti-crime and surveillance patrols in Metro Manila and its nearby regions using three recently-acquired Robinson R44 Raven II helicopters.... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: StandardAero
StandardAero announced today that it has signed an exclusive five-year contract for Model 250 engine repair and overhaul services with the City of Nashville Metropolitan Police Department. All work will be performed at StandardAero facilities in Winnipeg, Canada and Concord, N.C. Repair and overhaul services will be performed on the police department’s seven-helicopter fleet comprised... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On 2nd March, a Czech Police Eurocopter EC135T2 suffered a heavy landing on a night training flight at approx 20.00 hours local.  A photo of the result can be seen here on the Planes.CZ website. Local press reports say that the Czech Police only insure themselves for damage caused by third parties. HeliHub.com adds a... Read more
7-Mar-2011Source: Revue Thommen
REVUE THOMMEN of Waldenburg, Switzerland has announced the pricing and availability of production searchlight systems in Booth 4108 at Heli-Expo in Orlando. Deliveries will begin in 2nd Quarter 2011 and the standard system price of the HSL-1600 will be competitive with installed prices of other systems. Specifics of the pricing of the system and available... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: Revue Thommen
REVUE THOMMEN of Waldenburg, Switzerland will have an ongoing demonstration of the slaving capabilities of the NEW HSL1600 Helicopter Searchlight in Booth 4108 at Heli-Expo in Orlando. The HSL-1600 has totally integrated software including the software that allows the searchlight to be slaved to IR and CCTV cameras and Mission Displays. Competitive searchlights require separate... Read more
5-Mar-2011Source: Revue Thommen
REVUE THOMMEN of Waldenburg, Switzerland has announced the future availability of the smaller and lighter HSL-800 Helicopter Searchlight for weight and power restricted aircraft operations such as single engine aircraft in the U.S. Law Enforcement market segment. The HSL-800 is in the development stage at this time with anticipated availability in the 1st Quarter of... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: Flight Design
Tulare County is situated about a hundred miles north of Los Angeles near California’s Sequoia National Forest. Facing the same budget constraints as many localities, Tulare County Sheriff Department Captain David Williams chose a Light-Sport Aircraft to perform patrol duties. He ordered a Flight Design CTLS. According to David Castellon writing for the Visalia Times-Delta... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: Revue Thommen
REVUE THOMMEN of Waldenburg, Switzerland has announced they are in the final stages of development and production of the HSL-1600 Helicopter Searchlight. First production deliveries are scheduled for 2nd Quarter 2011. “Our searchlight has undergone extensive testing and practical flight trials under the scrutiny of major European helicopter OEM’s and several large fleet operators in... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: TurnTo23.com
US Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment today charging Jeffrey Lee Gentry, 33, of Bakersfield, with interfering with the safe operation of a Kern County Sheriff’s Department helicopter by shining a hand-held laser into the cockpit.... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: Helinet
Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today its selection by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to develop and support a comprehensive microwave downlink system for the Department’s new fleet of 14 patrol helicopters. Created in partnership with the LASD’s Aero Bureau,... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In the last month, San Jose has proposed temporarily grounding its helicopter to save money, Costa Mesa has stopped flying, Long Beach is looking to downgrade to cheaper helicopters, and now it’s the turn of Fresno. The city operates two Eurocopter EC120s, as shown in the photo below The City of Fresno is cutting back... Read more
27-Feb-2011Source: CBS San Francisco
A proposal would ground the San Jose Police Department’s helicopter for at least a year because of the city’s $110 million budget deficit.... Read more
27-Feb-2011Source: KPHO
On Friday morning, news helicopter crews were all chasing breaking news when someone from the ground shined a laser in their direct line of sight.... Read more
27-Feb-2011Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
All but emergency flights are now banned due to budgetary constraints... Read more
25-Feb-2011
County Administrator Julie Ayers said the item was pulled at the request of the attorneys for Prescott Wing and Rotor, who wanted to finalize the contract language. Ayers expects the contract to be ready for the board to approve during the March 7 meeting.... Read more
22-Feb-2011Source: Daily Courier
The Sheriff’s Office has been in talks with Prescott Wing and Rotor since that time to complete necessary overhaul valued at $250,000. [file photo]... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: Wilmington Star News
The helicopter, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, will be declared surplus and sold using GovDeals, an online Internet-based company that sells government surplus and unclaimed property.... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: Edmonton Journal
The helicopter crew narrowed the source of the light to a city home where police confiscated a laser pointer from a 10-year-old boy. His parents were home, but hadn’t realized what their son was up to.... Read more
21-Feb-2011
The state government has constructed a new helipad at the Chavannagar rural police headquarters in Pashan.... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: Systems Interface
East Midlands Police Force Air Support Unit required a solution to provide exceptional lighting and control capabilities for pilots during rescue, security and patrol operations. Systems Interface delivered the industry leading renewable power and lighting solution – the Avlite Systems AV425-RF radio-controlled solar LED helipad lighting system. The Air Support Unit’s chief pilot, Captain Graham... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The BBC is tonight reporting that Norfolk Police will stop using their leased Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel at the end of the current fiscal year – 31st March 2011 – and that it is trying to buy a block of 220 hours a year from neighbouring force Suffolk Police. The vicarious benefit in doing this... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: Long Beach Post
A 34-year old Long Beach woman has been arrested for pointing lasers at Police and Sheriff helicopters while they conducted a search for suspects in an unrelated incident in January. Kelly Ann Smith has been charged with two felony counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft.... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Late Tuesday evening, the Costa Mesa city council voted 4 to 1 in favour of cutting its “Eagle One” police helicopter program and eliminating two jobs which paid a total of almost $275,000. Costa Mesa has been one of the two major partners with Newport Beach in the ABLE “AirBorne Law Enforcement” program, which operated... Read more
15-Feb-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Estonian Police and Border Guard has taken delivery of its third AW139 medium twin helicopter. This aircraft will perform search and rescue, border patrol, medical missions and utility duties to support the community. The handover was performed during an official ceremony held at Tallinn Airport... Read more
14-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On Thursday 27th January, the Air Support Unit at Melsbroek Airport was raided by up to 30 investigations after allegations of corruption. Investigators took computers, office records, accounts and flight log books. Allegations include private use of police helicopters, failure to comply with official procurement procedures and irregularities when entering into contacts with private companies. ... Read more
14-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
On Monday 7th February, the Military Police of Santa Catarina added an AW119Ke Koala to their fleet – registered PR-PMM and AW serial 14740. This follows the intorduction in December of their first example, Fitted equipment includes a Spectrolab SX16 searchlight, dual litters for medical evacuation work, external hook and an hoist. Future plans call... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: Record Searchlight
Kevin Wayne Foster was ordered to stand trial on two felony and two misdemeanor counts stemming from the potentially dangerous Dec. 6 helicopter incident. If convicted, Foster faces about 4 years 8 months in prison, said Shasta County Deputy District Attorney Craig Omura.... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: StarNews Online
New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are ceasing operating their R44 and will instead join the SABLE program – a partnership between the Wilmington and Leland police departments as well as the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: IACP
There are two International awards presented by the IACP Aviation Committee and Bell Helicopter Textron; one to recognize an individual who holds a management orleadership position in police aviation, and a second to anaviation unit that exemplifies excellence in airborne law enforcement. These two awards will emphasize initiatives to enhance the general level and safety of operations,... Read more
10-Feb-2011
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is expected to announce the future of its helicopter program Thursday, after the agency’s only pilot Scott Gerow resigned on 18th September last year amid an internal investigation. Sheriff Ed McMahon said he would explore all options for the four-year-old program–and cancelling it remains an option... Read more
9-Feb-2011Source: Revue Thommen
REVUE THOMMEN of Waldenburg, Switzerland has announced their optional “patent pending†IR internal filtering technology in the soon to be delivered HSL-1600 Helicopter Searchlight. In the past the 1600 watt infrared searchlights in the fleet have employed an IR filter flap that flips down over the main searchlight lens to accomplish night vision capability. Necessarily,... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Some 20 years after buying their fleet of four Bo105s, the Czech Police have finally retired the type. A total of four were acquired, two in 1991 with the second pair following the year after. Two were lost in accidents, one in April 1992 and the other in August 1999. The Bo105 has been on... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: Orange County Register
The police helicopter program jointly run by Costa Mesa and Newport Beach is on the chopping block at the request of two members of the Costa Mesa City Council. Councilmen Gary Monahan and Jim Righeimer are calling on the council to pull out of the Airborne Law Enforcement (ABLE) program to save money.... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: Revue Thommen
REVUE THOMMEN of Waldenburg, Switzerland has announced they are in the final stages of development and production of the HSL-1600 Helicopter Searchlight. First production deliveries are scheduled for 2nd Quarter 2011. “Our 1600 watt searchlight has undergone extensive testing and practical flight trials under the scrutiny of major European helicopter OEM’s and several large fleet... Read more
7-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Meixco’s State Government of Chihuahua will donate one helicopter to the town of Ciudad Juárez to strengthen their public safety department. No details were given on the type of helicopter or its current/potential equipment level. The announcement was made by Governor César Duarte Jáquez while visiting the town last Tuesday for a regional security meeting... Read more
6-Feb-2011
HeliHub.com accident page – see 31-Jan-11 N530RL MD Helicopters MD530FF Waterman’s Peak, US-Arizona (1F)... Read more
4-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Ontario Provincial Police are on the point of adding a Eurocopter EC135P2+ to their fleet, perhaps two. In recent days, two new EC135s have been added to the Canadian register, including one as C-FOPP – a registration previously used by an AS355F2 of the Ontario Provincial Police which has in turn been transferred to C-GJYH. ... Read more
1-Feb-2011Source: Cobham
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has announced the selection of Cobham to supply Synthetic Vision Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) for their fleet of Eurocopter and Bell helicopters. LAPD is the largest municipal airborne law enforcement operation in the world and serves a population base of four million. Operating a fleet of nineteen patrol helicopters in... Read more
31-Jan-2011Source: Contra Costa Times
Police officials want to buy the helicopters from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at a cost of up to $3.5M. The City Council will decide whether to approve the purchase at its Tuesday meeting. The city purchased the current EC130s, for $5.7M in 2001... Read more
31-Jan-2011Source: Donaldson
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company (NYSE:DCI), is helping a sheriff’s office safeguard thousands of citizens by protecting the department’s law enforcement helicopter from damaging debris and contaminants with a Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filter. Few rotorcraft cover a more beautiful and challenging territory than “Henry-1,†the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Bell 407. With... Read more
28-Jan-2011Source: KRON4
The pilot radioed for police who launched a search helicopter. The pilot of that helicopter says someone pointed a laser at him as well. That allowed officers on board to target a location for the laser... Read more
27-Jan-2011Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter has delivered two AS350 B3 helicopters to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Aircraft Section. These are the first AS350 B3’s in the Aircraft Section’s all-Eurocopter fleet, which includes 13 Eurocopter AS350-series AStar helicopters and one EC145. The new AS350 B3’s provide increased power and performance and build on the proven reliability... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: Moonee Valley Leader
The technology was introduced to the Air Wing in August last year and has already helped 14 police pilots acquire extensive training. Constable Steven Potter said pilots were required to undergo a three-hour training session every 28 days.... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Zhejiang Public Security Bureau in China has placed an order for two helicopters comprising one AW119Ke single engine and one AW139 medium twin engine helicopter. The helicopters will be used for law enforcement and fire fighting duties. These two AgustaWestland helicopters were selected to serve... Read more
26-Jan-2011Source: Eyewitness News
The Pretoria News has reported that CCTV footage and Global Positioning System (GPS) data has been sent overseas for forensic analysis. See HeliHub.com accident page at 23-Jul-10 ZS-HMY Eurocopter BK117 Witbank, South Africa (7F) [File photo]... Read more
25-Jan-2011Source: Miami Herald
As part of a plea agreement reached last month, 43-year-old Frank Newton Anderson pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of interfering with the operation of an aircraft. Authorities say Anderson temporarily blinded the helicopter pilot with a laser device last April.... Read more
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