Shelby County deputies in Alabama will be patrolling from above this holiday season in a newly acquired ex-military surplus Bell TH-67 Creek helicopter. Deputies will be able to observe traffic, watch for suspicious activity, and deter criminal acts using the helicopter which has the same markings displayed on our patrol cars. Two deputies – a… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Dec-15
The department’s two MD500E helicopters were both built in 1991, purchased used in 1996 and have flown a combined total of more than 30,000 hours. Supervisor Brian Pacheco said the terrorist threat was a reason for his support. “I believe the events of the past week show that we need to have our best and… Read more »
Source: ABC30, 17-Dec-15
The Dallas police helicopter unit is effectively going blind. See Full Story
Source: WFAA, 14-Dec-15
Little Rock police Thursday unveiled an observation helicopter that the department acquired earlier this year through a federal military surplus program. See Full Story
Source: Northwest Arkansas, 14-Dec-15
A PROPOSED helicopter base in Almondsbury could have its planning permission quashed following a judicial review brought forward by nearby residents. See Full Story
Source: Gazette, 14-Dec-15
The new year means a new helicopter for Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. See Full Story
Source: Tucson News Now, 03-Dec-15
Market leading law enforcement helicopter is now assembled in Mississippi and completions performed in Texas GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (November 30, 2015) – Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered the first H125 AStar helicopter produced on its new U.S. final assembly line to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The new aircraft is the first fully assembled on… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 03-Dec-15
All Metal MS, a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of solution driven custom “safety first” aircraft maintenance stands, production line platforms, hangar equipment, portable field equipment and specialty tooling announced today the delivery of its Model 400 custom “Safety First” Maintenance stand to the City of Pasadena Helicopter Section’s fleet of Bell… Read more »
Source: All Metal MS, 02-Dec-15
The Philippine Senate has agreed to update the proposed 2016 budget of the Philippine National Police (PNP) by 11 million Pesos to refurbish a pair of R44s purchased in 2009 but have been grounded for several years as they were subject of a court case. The PNP actually acquired three R44s in 2009, but they… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Nov-15
AgustaWestland announced today that long term training service contracts have been signed with customers operating AW139 intermediate twin helicopters in the United States and Canada. Signing a five year training contract, helicopter emergency medical services provider STARS, operating three AW139s throughout Western Canada, is extending its agreement with AgustaWestland to provide recurrent training for its… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 19-Nov-15
The new Columbus police chief will have to decide what to do with the department’s biggest but most unused tool. See Full Story
Source: WTVA, 16-Nov-15
AgustaWestland congratulates the Dubai Police on achieving 20 years of successful operations and over 16,000flight hours with its fleet of AW109 light twin-enginehelicopters. A ceremony was held at the Dubai Airshow today to celebrate this major milestone. A leading helicopter operator in Dubai and a key law enforcement operator of AgustaWestlandAW109s, the Dubai Police has… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 11-Nov-15
The Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, hosted nearly 100 law enforcement professionals and partners from the Central U.S. and beyond this week for the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s (ALEA) Central Region Safety Seminar. The seminar offered a variety of training sessions including Inadvertent Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IIMC), spatial disorientation, stress & fatigue… Read more »
Source: Metroaviation, 06-Nov-15
Police are to embark on a six-month trial of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to aid officers in a number of policing matters including missing people searches and crime scene photography. Starting on the 2nd of November, police in Devon and Cornwall will be able to… Read more »
Source: Devon & Cornwall Police,, 05-Nov-15
After returning from a test flight, a maintenance inspection revealed damage to a main rotor blade.
03-Nov-15
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the delivery of a new MD 530F helicopter to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Aviation Unit. The LVMPD’s purchase of the new aircraft was approved by Metro’s Fiscal Affairs Committee on April 27. Collectively, the addition of the new MD 530F to LVMPD’s fleet will increase operational… Read more »
Source: MD Helicopters, 30-Oct-15
Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce its completion of a modification and upgrade for the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s (SBCSD) Bell 212 aircraft. Modifications to this aircraft included avionics, airframe, and tailboom structural modifications required for the installation of a new… Read more »
Source: Vector, 29-Oct-15
The New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday overturned the conviction of a Taos County man who claimed that state police violated his constitutional rights by conducting an aerial search of his property without a warrant. See Full Story
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican, 27-Oct-15
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is adding a new member to its team. See Full Story
Source: KESQ, 27-Oct-15
The government signed a 21.7 billion won ($19.2 million) deal on Tuesday to buy its fourth Surion helicopter for police use, to be stationed on Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, the state procurer said. See Full Story
Source: The Korea Times, 26-Oct-15
Airbus Helicopters Inc., the U.S. sales leader in law enforcement helicopters for more than a decade, will exhibit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s H125 AStar at the 2015 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Chicago, October 25-27. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety operates the H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) to conduct… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 26-Oct-15
Partial loss of engine power during autorotation flare. Hard landing.French report says “substantial damage” but local press report shows
24-Oct-15
The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing is the largest and most comprehensive full time public safety aviation unit in New England, responding to more than 1,900 mission requests annually. The primary duty aircraft is the EC135T2+, and the division recently chose the Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, as its training partner for… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 23-Oct-15
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has – as HeliHub.com predicted in February 2015 – started to retire the MD Explorer from law enforcement work in the UK skies in preference for the Airbus H135, H145 and some yet-to-be-delivered Vulcanair P68 fixed wing aircraft. Two Explorer airframes are already parked up pending disposal, with G-SYPS… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 21-Oct-15
Today, the federal-state police of Baden-Württemberg took delivery of the very first H145 in police configuration at Airbus Helicopters’ industrial site in Donauwörth. The aircraft is the first of an order of six to be handed over to the launch customer. “It is of the utmost importance for our police to be able to rely… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 20-Oct-15
It has transpired recently that Alaska State Troopers have grounded one of their two AS350B3 helicopters in an attempt to save money, and they only have a guarantee to fly the second until the end of June 2016. A budget decision awaits the future of the unit beyond that date. The Troopers have grounded “Helo-2”… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Oct-15
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office now has a fully staffed helicopter crew after a pilot on paid administrative leave returned to duty and joined four other airmen, including three new hires. See Full Story
Source: News Journal, 15-Oct-15
Developed an engine problem and was forced to put down in a banana plantation. Helicopter damaged, extent unknown
15-Oct-15
Bond, A Babcock International Group company, formally handed over the first of seven redesigned and upgraded EC135 T2+ helicopters to the National Police Air Service (NPAS) at Helitech International today (October 7). The aircraft features a new custom-designed mission suite with a range of integrated technologies including a next generation mission management system, advanced and… Read more »
Source: Bond Air, 12-Oct-15
The German Federal Police, Bundespolizei(BPOL), has selected Heli-One, the world’s largest independent provider of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services, to fully modernize their fleet of 18Airbus Helicopters AS332L1 Super Puma aircraft through a NATO/NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) contract with proven EFIS and avionics upgrades from Universal Avionics and other suppliers. To quickly… Read more »
Source: Heli-One, 06-Oct-15
Heli-One, the world’s largest independent provider of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) services, has been awarded a new contract by the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA). Heli-One will complete a 5,000 Flight Hour inspection on two of the agency’s Bell helicopters, followed by a full strip and repaint with defect rectification. The work will be… Read more »
Source: Heli One, 05-Oct-15
M International’s Keystone Turbine Services, LLC (KTS) is pleased to announce they’ve been chosen to provide complete engine, module and accessory maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the City of Houston’s Police Department Air Support Division fleet of Rolls-Royce Model 250-powered helicopters. Under this exclusive five-year contract, KTS will provide total life-cycle support for all… Read more »
Source: M International, 05-Oct-15
Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce it has signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Police Department to provide MRO support for their Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 components. “This contract is another example of our excellence in tip-to-tail MRO support capabilities for AS350… Read more »
Source: Vector, 05-Oct-15
Crashed and burned out after reported loss of hydraulics led to loss of tail rotor control and an emergency landing. Six fatalities named as Pilot Javier Arias F, copilot Germán David Beltrán; Col. Carlos Alberto Melendez, police commander for Meta region, along with colleagues Jeison Alejandro García and Luís Felipe Nieva Gómez, plus one other… Read more »
05-Oct-15
Gwinnett County MD 500E is the first of two aviation unit helicopters to get a make-over through the MDHI-exclusive, FAA-approved factory-recertification program Mesa, Ariz., September 30, 2015 – MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the delivery of a newly certified, zero-time MD 530F helicopter to the Gwinnett County Police Department. Previously operated as an MD… Read more »
Source: MD Helicopters, 02-Oct-15
Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove says he will not sign over the force helicopter to a national scheme until he is assured the area will be sufficiently protected. See Full Story
Source: Hull Daily Mail, 25-Sep-15
Police air support in the UK is set to become 24/7 all weather capable for the first time with the introduction of fixed wing aircraft into the service’s fleet. The National Police Air Service has now awarded a contract for four fixed wing aircraft to be based in a purpose built facility, serving the whole… Read more »
Source: NPAS, 24-Sep-15
A Friday incident involving a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy shooting from a helicopter above the 215 Freeway is raising eyebrows in law enforcement. See Full Story
Source: SCPR, 24-Sep-15
Airbus Helicopters Inc. has delivered the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, in Fort Myers, Fla. its AS350 BA AStar helicopter after completion of the aircraft’s second 12-year Inspection. The 12-year Inspection effectively resets the helicopter’s inspection cycles to zero, updates the aircraft with all applicable factory configuration changes and confirms its compliance with applicable Federal Aviation… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 22-Sep-15
A driver involved in a high-speed chase in California was struck by gunfire from a police helicopter, officials have confirmed. See Full Story
Source: BBC News, 22-Sep-15
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has earmarked N5.3 billion for the purchase of rescue helicopter and other security intervention. See Full Story
Source: The News Nigeria, 22-Sep-15
Guangzhou Police and Airbus helicopters signed an agreement today for an order of one H145 light helicopter for law enforcement duties, to be delivered at the end of 2016. “Helicopters are a great resource for law enforcement agencies, as they can effectively help ground forces to accomplish a multitude of operations including air patrol, transportation… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 21-Sep-15
Police in Cumbria will now be able to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help tackle crime and keep people safe. Earlier this year, staff from the Constabulary’s Operational Support Unit purchased two UAVs in order to assess the benefits of using them as an operational resource. Rigorous testing has taken place and they have… Read more »
Source: Cumbria Police, 16-Sep-15
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the delivery and return to service of two (2) Columbus Police Department helicopters. Operated as MD 500E models since 2007, the two aircraft are rejoining the Columbus Aviation Unit as new, factory-built, FAA-certified F-models. In June of this year the Columbus Division of Police committed to a revitalization of… Read more »
Source: MD Helicopters, 15-Sep-15
Police authorities across China will double the size of their helicopter fleets within five years, according to a police aviation official. See full story
Source: Xinhuanet, 14-Sep-15
The Ontario Provincial Police decision to pull its search-and-rescue helicopter from Sudbury and station it in Orillia is penny-wise and pound-foolish. See full story
Source: Timmins Press, 14-Sep-15
AgustaWestland announced today that Yunnan Provincial Police Department has placed an order for one AW139 intermediate helicopter. The aircraft will be used for law enforcement, border patrol, special operations, and utility missions in the region and is expected to enter service in 2016. The contract for the AW139 by Yunnan Provincial Police Department, awarded following… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 09-Sep-15
Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) has delivered nine Ka-32A11BC helicopters to China, where they will be operated by public security agencies and commercial companies. «Nine Ka-32A11BC helicopters have been delivered to Chinese commercial and state operators. These helicopters will be operated by the city of Ordos’ Main Directorate of Public Security, Shanghai Public… Read more »
Source: Russian Helicopters, 04-Sep-15
The Slovak Police have held an acceptance ceremony to announce the arrival of their first Bell 429 helicopter at Bratislava Airport on Monday 17th August. Fitted with a hoist and spotlight externally, the helicopter is in a dark green and whilte scheme Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák led the event. A second example is due before… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Aug-15
The Suffolk County Police Department recently added a new H145, formerly known as the EC145, to its fleet, replacing an older AS350B2. Metro Aviation completed the twin-engine aircraft at its completion center in Shreveport, Louisiana. “The completion process was smooth and seamless,” said Sergeant Brian Barrett, Commanding Officer for the police department’s aviation section. “We… Read more »
Source: Metro Aviation, 11-Aug-15
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company and BIRD Aerosystems, announced today the signature of a cooperation agreement to integrate the BIRD Aerosystems Surveillance, Intelligence and Observation (ASIO) package as a complete end-to-end airborne information surveillance and reconnaissance solution (ISR) for the Bell 407GXP. “Bell Helicopter and BIRD Aerosystems have worked closely together to… Read more »
Source: Bell Helicopter, 31-Jul-15
Robinson Helicopter Company announced its R66 Turbine Police Helicopter with the FLIR Systems Ultra 8000 Infrared Camera and the Spectrolab SX-7 searchlight with 30-million candlepower has been reconfigured to include a multitude of upgrades. This high performance 4-place police helicopter comes standard with a Garmin G500H Primary and Multifunction Display System (PFD/MFD), a Garmin GTN… Read more »
Source: Robinson, 29-Jul-15
The Customs and Border Patrol Instructor Pilot demonstrated an autorotation, yet misjudged the flare. Helicopter destroyed
29-Jul-15
With a large gathering watching, the first dedicated Calgary Police Service helicopter touched down. See full story
Source: Calgary Sun, 20-Jul-15
Lower Saxony Police – or Neidersachsen Polizei in local language – have two new Airbus EC135P2e helicopters on order. The first aircraft was due for delivery in June according to the May/June edition of Lower Saxony Police’s proPolizei publication, with the second following in the fourth quarter of 2015. Both will be based at Langenhagen… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Jul-15
BellHelicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the final delivery of the fourth Bell 429 to the New York Police Department (NYPD). Bell Helicopter and NYPD commemorated the final delivery today at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association Expo in Houston, Texas where the NYPD’s new Bell 429 was on display in the Textron… Read more »
Source: Bell Helicopters, 17-Jul-15
ForeFlight, maker of the leading flight app for pilots, today announced connectivity with Garmin avionics, broadening the flight planning, in-flight, and connectivity capabilities available to customers. When connected to Garmin Flight Stream, ForeFlight Mobile customers can now wirelessly receive ADS-B weather and traffic, precise GPS position data, and dynamic pitch and bank information on iPad… Read more »
Source: ForeFlight, 17-Jul-15
A storm is brewing in the National Police Service (NPS) over the purchase of a Sh900 million helicopter that aviation and security experts say is unsuitable for police operations. See full story
Source: Standard Digital, 17-Jul-15
Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today it will deploy a custom-developed microwave downlink solution for the Suffolk County Police Department’s Aviation Section. The new system will provide a real-time HD video and data link between the Department’s two Eurocopter AS350B2 AStar helicopters… Read more »
Source: Helinet, 17-Jul-15
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that its Defense Solutions division has further expanded its industry-leading Video Management System (VMS) product family with the introduction of the newest member of its lower cost rugged LCD mission displays. Addressing the growing demand for affordable, high performance mission displays, the new 10.4” PVDU2600 touchscreen display combines high… Read more »
Source: Curtiss Wright, 17-Jul-15
Helinet Technologies, an international provider of aviation technology solutions to the law enforcement, government and military markets, announced today its selection by the Nassau County Police Department to deploy a comprehensive airborne law enforcement solution for the Department’s Aviation Bureau. Developed to meet the specific needs of the Nassau County PD, the new microwave downlink… Read more »
Source: Helinet, 17-Jul-15
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that its Defense Solutions division has introduced the latest member of its industry leading family of rugged video recorders, the VRDV7000 Dual-Channel HD-SDI Video Recorder. The VRDV7000 is a lightweight, small form-factor DZUS-mounted video recorder designed for capturing high definition (HD) mission video with accurate metadata in demanding aerospace,… Read more »
Source: Curtiss Wright, 17-Jul-15
The Night Vision Awards will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The event will be held in Ballroom 372 ABDE at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas in conjunction with the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Annual Convention. The awards ceremony will feature light hors d’oeuvres and libations and honor various departments and… Read more »
Source: ASU, 16-Jul-15
FlightSafety has been selected by the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Unit to provide training for the Bell 412 helicopter. “Our King Air pilots have experienced consistently high quality training and support from FlightSafety for years, so they were our first choice to support us launching the Bell 412 program,” said Officer Kevin Gallagher,… Read more »
Source: FlightSafety, 16-Jul-15
The San Diego Police Department announced Wednesday that loudspeaker public-address messages periodically broadcast from the sky by the agency’s helicopter crews — often unintelligibly, many contend — are now available online, as well, for clarity’s sake.See Full Story
Source: KPBS, 16-Jul-15
These are good times for Orange County. See full story
Source: Orlando Sentinal, 16-Jul-15
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces its participation in the 2015 Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA)Expo, July 15-17, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The MD Helicopters booth, #721, will feature one of eight (8) MD 500Es in active service with the Houston Police Department, along with industry-leading systems and components designed… Read more »
Source: MD Helicopters, 16-Jul-15
Night Flight Concepts (NFC) has announced the beginning of L.E.A.S.E., Law Enforcement Air Support Entity. L.E.A.S.E. is a program designed to offer law enforcement agencies a path to new aircraft, state of the art support packages, and all of the latest equipment for an affordable price. As government budgets have become more constrained the ability… Read more »
Source: Night Flight Concepts, 15-Jul-15
AgustaWestland will feature New Mexico State Police’s AW109 Power, as well as its customer support and training capabilities, at the 2015 Airborne Law Enforcement Association Expo taking place in Houston fromJuly 15 through 17. New Mexico State Police’s AW109 Power is a highly versatile light twin engine helicopter offering outstanding levels of performance with low… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 15-Jul-15
Avionics innovator and digital technology provider, Becker Avionics USA has announced the appointment of David Oglesbee as director of sales. Oglesbee will oversee the sales and marketing efforts for the company. Company president Luis Gonzalez commented, “Dave brings with him significant industry knowledge and background and we welcome the addition of his talent to our… Read more »
Source: Becker Avionics, 15-Jul-15
