6-May-2016Source: ASU
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU) a Boise, Idaho-based night vision company engaged with GSA representatives and contractors at the Southwest Supply Acquisition Center (SSAC) Industry days May 3-4, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas to better serve their GSA customers. At the event ASU announced that the company’s new Ecliptus product is now available on GSA.... Read more
5-May-2016Source: Layfield & Barrett
The Villegas family, represented by Philip Layfield of Layfield & Barrett and V. James (Jim) DeSimone of V. James DeSimone Law, filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, San Bernardino County. The lawsuit was filed under the case name: Villegas v. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department et al with the case number CIVDS1606504,... Read more
3-May-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The May 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here... Read more
19-Apr-2016Source: TC Palm
Sheriff Deryl Loar said the department will build a 9,628-square-foot aviation hangar, 4,989 square feet of office space and a lighted heliport near the Indian River County Jail. See full story... Read more
14-Apr-2016Source: Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica will be showcasing the company’s expertise in aerospace and security sectors and its footprint in the key Brazilian market through this week’s LAAD Security exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Poised for growth in the region, the company will display solutions from the sectors of security, helicopters, airborne, space, and naval defence electronics that... Read more
11-Apr-2016Source: Surrey Police
Surrey and Sussex Police have acquired four new state-of-the-art drones. The Aeryon SkyRangers will add to the existing one which has been used to support policing operations at Gatwick since March 2014. The drones – also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – are designed to be used to safeguard people and to assist with... Read more
11-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has announced that it has delivered two EC145 helicopters to the National Police Agency in its native Japan. These will be the first EC145s to be used by the National Police Agency, and are replacements of existing helicopters deployed by the Police in the prefectures of Kanagawa and Chiba. The EC145 is,... Read more
4-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com
South Gloucestershire Council has reversed its approval for a new helicopter base in Almondsbury following a legal challenge. The heliport was planned to serve both the Great Western Air Ambulance and the National Police Air Service, whose helicopters are currently based at Filton Airfield. Filton, most famous for its role in the development of the... Read more
3-Apr-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The April 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here... Read more
30-Mar-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Local news outlets in Nevada are reporting that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police have approval to buy a new Airbus H145, with delivery targeted for March 2017. The new helicopter will operate in the SAR role and replace one of two HH-1H helicopers which date back to the early 1970s. The Metropolitan Police Committee on... Read more
16-Mar-2016Source: In Cyprus
Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides has hit out against what he sees is a cover-up in the suspicious purchase of five AW139s from AgustaWestland back in 2008. Cyprus bought three for SAR work, and two for their national Police force. See full story... Read more
14-Mar-2016Source: Police Scotland
A new state-of-the-art helicopter will be brought into service for Police Scotland as part of a new seven-year air support contract. Bond Air Services secured the contract with the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland after they were selected as the preferred bidder following a competitive tendering and procurement process. The new helicopter – an... Read more
4-Mar-2016Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract to perform 12-year inspections on three Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3 AStars operated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD). Vector will conduct these inspections at its facilities in Langley,... Read more
3-Mar-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The March 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here... Read more
3-Mar-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of two H215s to join the Finnish Boarder Guard fleet, announced today at the Heli Expo Trade Show, where an H215 can be visited on the static display. The first H215 arrived in Finland on February 28 following a training session at the Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Marignane, France.... Read more
2-Mar-2016Source: Finmeccanica
On the first day of Heli-Expo 2016, the Helicopter Division of Finmeccanica presented an evolution of the light single-engine SW-4 commercial helicopter, now designated the AW009. The new model provides improved levels of comfort, reduced maintenance and operating costs as well as an all new integrated avionics suite, and in the future, the option of... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: Trakka Systems
Trakka Systems announces the launch of its new TLX searchlight with dual sensor TV/Thermal Imaging camera option which will be displayed for the first time at the HAI Heli-Expo in Louisville, Kentucky 1-3 March 2016. Trakka Systems is the leading brand in searchlight technology and also a leader in the supply of fully exportable gyro-stabilized... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: Technisonic
At Heli-Expo 2016, Technisonic Industries Ltd., an industry leader in the development, manufacture and support of special-mission airborne communications systems, announces the availability of a new common NIFOG code plug for the nations airborne first responders. Recognizing a disconnect in the communications of our country’s first responders, Technisonic, working with its partners has developed a... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: Night Vision Awards
The Night Vision Awards Committee announced today a new biennial format. The next Night Vision Awards will take place at the 2017 Airborne Law Enforcement Association Expo in Reno, Nevada. The awards ceremony will feature light hors d’oeuvres and libations and honor various departments and organizations on their accomplishments using night vision goggle equipment. During... Read more
1-Mar-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Inc. has extended its sales leadership in the U.S. market for airborne law enforcement helicopters, booking an order for an H125 AStar from the Utah Highway Patrol. Utah Highway Patrol already operates an AS350 B2, to conduct a wide variety of law enforcement, search and rescue and utility-type missions in Utah. Completion of... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: Trakka
Trakka Systems is pleased to announce that they have received an EASA STC data package for the installation of the A800 searchlight onto the Finmeccanica Helicopters AW139 helicopter short and long nose variants. The Certification covers the integration of the TrakkaBeam A800 searchlight, Pilot Control Interface Unit (PCIU) and Trakka Control Panel (TCP). The pilot... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: Trakka
Trakka Group is pleased to announce that they have acquired a controlling interest in the Swedish Airborne Gimbal Camera manufacturer, Swesystem. Trakka Corp has in recent years been established as the leading brand in searchlight technology. Capitalizing on Trakka’s position in the market as well as their management’s vast knowledge of camera systems, the Trakka... Read more
26-Feb-2016Source: ASU
After more than three decades with little to no changes, Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) and Wilcox Industries revealed at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) annual HELI-EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky a new helmet mount and battery back for night vision goggles. “Lighter, stronger, and easier to use are phrases we have all heard people ask for... Read more
25-Feb-2016
Police helicopter crashed killing two and the third is in a critical condition. More news awaited. D-HVBB registration to be finally confirmed... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: USI
The Unmanned Safety Institute, a professional organization dedicated to the safe and responsible integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System, today announced a joint partnership with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) to provide educational workshops to the law enforcement community throughout the United States. The purpose of the... Read more
22-Feb-2016Source: Edmonton Journal
A report brought Thursday to the Edmonton Police Commission says the cost of the helicopter, first pegged at $3.47 million, has jumped $2.7 million because of the drop in value of the Canadian dollar. See Full Story... Read more
19-Feb-2016Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced a purchase agreement for two Bell 429s for delivery to the Indonesian National Police. As the official police force for Indonesia, the aircraft will support the law enforcement activities and will contribute to the safety, accessibility, sustainability and security of the region. The aircraft were signed... Read more
17-Feb-2016Source: Yahoo News
WA Police are looking at buying “more nimble” and “manoeuvrable” helicopters better suited to high-speed chases. See Full Story... Read more
12-Feb-2016Source: Standard Speaker
Hazleton City Council approved an amended lease agreement with the state Department of General Services that will keep a Pennsylvania State Police aviation unit at Hazleton Regional Airport through May 2017, a city official said. See Full Story... Read more
3-Feb-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The February 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here ... Read more
2-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com
NPAS – the UK’s National Police Air Service – have closed two more bases as planned. NPAS Ripley closed, and their EC135 will be the third in the upgrade line at Bond Air Services. The first from that process was displayed at Helitech in October 2015, and the second is currently in progress. NPAS Sheffield... Read more
26-Jan-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Croatian Police last week took delivery of the first of two AW139 helicopters, with the second reportedly due in July 2016. Flown to Zagreb Airport on Wednesday, the aircraft had actually quietly entered national airspace the previous evening and overnighted at Pula ready for its higher profile landing at the capital’s airport. The two... Read more
25-Jan-2016Source: Capital News
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the government plans to purchase two more helicopters for the police by June this year to enhance its surveillance capability. See Full Story... Read more
19-Jan-2016Source: Airbus
Four California law enforcement agencies have bolstered their crime fighting and public service capabilities by taking delivery of new Airbus Helicopters H125 AStars, the highest performance, best-selling helicopter for airborne crime-fighting and rescue work. Airbus Helicopters Inc. recently delivered six H125s, including two each to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Riverside County Sheriff’s Office,... Read more
15-Jan-2016Source: Guardia Civil
[electronic translation] The Civil Guard, under the hemming operation, has been arrested in the provinces of Seville, Malaga and Cadiz to 20 members of a criminal, perfectly structured and hierarchical organization dedicated to introducing hashish in Spain from Morocco by air. Altogether they have seized 615 kilos of hashish hidden in a helicopter were from... Read more
14-Jan-2016Source: Saab
Saab will deliver three UAV systems to the Swedish Police. Each system comprises air vehicles equipped with day/night sensors and a ground station, plus spare parts, consumables, documentation, training and technical support. The contract will be in effect from 2016 to 2018. The remote-controlled UAV system selected by the Swedish Police uses the proven Qube... Read more
12-Jan-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Following the announcement in December 2012 of this order by the then-Eurocopter, HeliHub.com can confirm that the Finnish Border Forces have accepted two new AS332L1e helicopters in a ceremony on 21st December at Marignane, France. Registered OH-HVP and HVQ, the helicopter are scheduled to remain in France for crew training, with in-country arrivals scheduled for... Read more
12-Jan-2016Source: Tucson News
The Tucson Police Department’s Air Support Unit, which was grounded last month, has been cleared to return to service, according to a department spokesman.See full story.... Read more
11-Jan-2016Source: Tucson News Now
The Tucson Police Department’s Air Support Unit, which was grounded last month, has been cleared to return to service, according to a department spokesman. See Full Story... Read more
5-Jan-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The January 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here ... Read more
5-Jan-2016Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) is pleased to announce an order by the Fresno County Sherriff’s Office, Fresno, California, for a new MD 530F. Unanimously approved by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors last week, the new MD 530F will deliver greater horsepower, increased payload capability, and reduced operating costs. Currently, Fresno County’s helicopter fleet includes... Read more
4-Jan-2016Source: HeliHub.com
AgustaWestland parent company Finmeccanica have surprised most industry observers by getting rid of the AgustaWestland name – with group chief Mauro Moretti announcing that all companies will be renamed with the Finmeccanica name. The formal launch of the corporate and legal activities in preparation for implementation of the group’s new organizational and operational model dates... Read more
4-Jan-2016Source: Tucson News Now
Tucson police officials released a 50-page audit that led to the grounding of the entire air support unit this week. See Full Story Editor Note – Tucson Police currently operate three Bell 206B JetRanger IIIs which they bought new in 2005. They fly around 1,100 hours per annum per airframe... Read more
21-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2016. 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 church... Read more
17-Dec-2015Source: HeliHub.com
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
17-Dec-2015Source: ABC30
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
14-Dec-2015Source: WFAA
The Dallas police helicopter unit is effectively going blind. See Full Story... Read more
14-Dec-2015Source: Northwest Arkansas
Little Rock police Thursday unveiled an observation helicopter that the department acquired earlier this year through a federal military surplus program. See Full Story ... Read more
14-Dec-2015Source: Gazette
A PROPOSED helicopter base in Almondsbury could have its planning permission quashed following a judicial review brought forward by nearby residents. See Full Story ... Read more
3-Dec-2015Source: Tucson News Now
The new year means a new helicopter for Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. See Full Story... Read more
3-Dec-2015Source: Airbus Helicopters
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
2-Dec-2015Source: All Metal MS
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
25-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
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
19-Nov-2015Source: AgustaWestland
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
16-Nov-2015Source: WTVA
The new Columbus police chief will have to decide what to do with the department’s biggest but most unused tool. See Full Story... Read more
11-Nov-2015Source: AgustaWestland
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
6-Nov-2015Source: Metroaviation
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
5-Nov-2015Source: Devon & Cornwall Police,
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
3-Nov-2015
After returning from a test flight, a maintenance inspection revealed damage to a main rotor blade.... Read more
30-Oct-2015Source: MD Helicopters
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
29-Oct-2015Source: Vector
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
27-Oct-2015Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
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... Read more
27-Oct-2015Source: KESQ
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is adding a new member to its team. See Full Story... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: The Korea Times
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... Read more
26-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
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
24-Oct-2015
Partial loss of engine power during autorotation flare. Hard landing.French report says “substantial damage” but local press report shows... Read more
23-Oct-2015Source: Metro Aviation
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
21-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
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
20-Oct-2015Source: Airbus
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
18-Oct-2015Source: HeliHub.com
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
15-Oct-2015Source: News Journal
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... Read more
15-Oct-2015
Developed an engine problem and was forced to put down in a banana plantation. Helicopter damaged, extent unknown... Read more
12-Oct-2015Source: Bond Air
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