Police Aviation News June 2009

Police Aviation News June 2009 12
UNITED STATES
NATIONAL: The Airborne Law Enforcement Association [ALEA] is currently in talks with
their political representatives in Washington with a view to bringing about Federal funding
wholly aimed at air support.
The plan is to bring about 50% funding for legacy aircraft [FAA certified airframes over 15
years old or having in excess of 15,000 hours] and the former Department of Defense Public
Use airframes [Bell OH-58/MD OH-6 etc] and 100% funding for technology equipment
[FLIR etc]. This is an ongoing task and is expected to take some years to bring about. [JDG]
ALABAMA: The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department [CCSD] took official delivery of its
newly renovated Bell OH-58C helicopter at the Double Bridges Aviation Hangar in Enterprise
last month. The will supplement the previous air support provided by the Dale County
Sheriff’s Department helicopter.
Sheriff Dave Sutton said the helicopter will prove to be a useful tool in crime investigation as
well as SAR. During the summer and early fall months, the unit will focus largely on marijuana
eradication efforts. The CCSD helicopter will also assist in SAR through Project Lifesaver
utilization of electronic wristbands fitted to locate those who habitually wander from
their familiar surroundings and becoming lost. These may include adult Alzheimer’s or children
diagnosed with Down’s syndrome or autism.
The helicopter was donated by Dale County to the CCSD and immediately began an role
equipment fit at Double Bridges Aviation. The alterations included new paint, glazing, Rolls
Royce 250 engine and high skids funded by private donations.
The CCSD helicopter will be manned by Fort Rucker civilian instructor pilots J.J. Johnson
and Frank Albright, according to Sutton. [Southeast Sun]
FLORIDA
The paragliding operation is termed SOAR, Search Operations Aerial Response. The Palm
Bay Police Department will use the aircraft for search and rescue operations involving missing
endangered children and adults, surveillance and reconnaissance, locating stolen and
discarded vehicles and other property, identifying hazards within the City, photographing
crime scenes, and damage assessment after disasters. There are also plans to use the ultralight
aircraft for crime prevention through routine aerial patrols over sections of the City
that experience higher numbers of residential burglaries and other similar crimes. Although
the craft is slow the crew can see a lot from the air and with this setup it’s an easy and inexpensive
way to bring aerial search capabilities to everyday law enforcement. Lt. Joe Eakins
and Lt. Mark Renkens worked to develop the new aerial deterrent for use by the Department.
Four officers are currently training.
A powered paraglider is probably
the most portable and inexpensive
manned motorised aircraft
available. It requires no airport,
hangar or runway and can be
packed so small that most units
can fit on the rear seat of a patrol
vehicle. A paraglider flies up to
42 mph but is significantly affected
by a tailwind or headwind.
Fuel capacity is limited to
2-3 gallons, allowing for a maximum
flight time of up to three
hours giving a range of about 70
miles.
Palm Bay Police acquired two