©POLICE AVIATION NEWS Number 55 November 2000

Transcription

©Police Aviation Research
Number 105 January 2005
IPAR
Police Aviation News 105
January 2005
2
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ALEA
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LAW ENFORCEMENT AVIATION
SOUTH KOREA
The country is expected to re-launch its indigenous multi-role helicopter contest [the KMH]
early this year.
Primarily a military project to replace Bell UH-1H and AH-1 and MD500 military helicopters
with a single type from 2010 it is believed that this aim is unattainable and that more than one
type will be required.
One of the types suggested, as being suitable is the recently re-launched Bell/Korea
Aerospace Industries 427. Requirements for new firefighting, medical evacuation and police
helicopters are likely to be met by a mix of the 427 and the KMH. [Flight]
TURKEY
The police are to operate a Sikorsky S-92
recently ordered by the Turkish Government
to fulfil the role of prime ministerial transport.
The Turkish government contract for a
Sikorsky S-92 helicopter places the company
alongside Turkmenistan in selecting the S-92
as its head-of-state helicopter. Turkmenistan
is buying two aircraft. To date, Sikorsky has
orders, including options, for more than 60 S92 helicopters, and is vying to sell the type as
the new US Presidential transport. [Flight/Sikorsky]
UNITED KINGDOM
GENERAL: Aviation funding bids that were
to be submitted by 30 September 2004 were
discussed by the Home Office in the period
October-December. The results are scheduled
to be made public in January for April
payment.
NORTH
MIDLANDS:
The force in
Derbyshire has been obliged to appeal to the
organisers of clay pigeon shoots to tell them
when the events are taking place. The request
comes after armed officers were called to
disused slurry pits near Ilkeston when
residents heard the sound of shots being fired.
Tyler Technologies has finalised its FAA STC for
the MD 500 series Tyler Special Operations
Platform (TSOP). Launch customer Glendale PD
conducted the FAA flight test with FAA
representatives and Tyler staff. For more
information go to Tyler's special operations
website for the latest in helicopter homeland
security equipment: www.tylertech.net
January 2005
3
The force helicopter and armed officers attended and after making extensive enquiries
discovered that the guns were being used at an organised clay pigeon [skeet] meeting. [DC]
Ed: There was a time when such calls were dealt with by a single officer on a bicycle… So is
sending six or more officers in less economic ground and air vehicles real considered
progress?
HUMBERSIDE:
A web site has reported that the MD900 police helicopter G-HPOL is to
move from its current military base at Leconfield to the local heliport. The Police Helicopter is
to be based at the side of the Heliport Building, displacing 100 spaces in the short stay car
park. It is expected that the move will be in the next two months. [Air Humberside]
Last month an urgent appeal was launched to gain assistance in helping one of the
Humberside Air Support Unit members based at Normandy Barracks, Beverley, East
Yorkshire.
PC Jason Pickersgill, a long-standing air observer with their unit, has a 6yr old daughter called
Lily who has just been diagnosed as terminally ill with a brain tumour. She has been given only
a matter of months to live.
A fund has been organised by their unit, ‘Lily's Fund’, to raise enough money to send Lily and
her family for a holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida. The amount of money required was far
too substantial for the family to raise alone in the limited timescale. The main cost factor was
due to the massive insurance premium required to allow Lily to fly to the USA.
As a result an appeal was sent to US ALEA members and was posted on the ALEA website.
The wholly positive reaction of US ALEA members virtually sewed up the US based
requirements overnight and Lily’s trip appeared assured.
In the end, despite the great kindness shown by the ALEA members, the project stalled on
getting the insurance. Flying from the UK National Health environment to the US where health
insurance is required with a known pre-existing condition was just too heavy a risk.
The latest information is that Lily will be going to Disneyland Paris, as the medical insurance
implications are less onerous. [PACE/IPAR]
Ed: Well done ALEA! It is a pity that other factors thwarted the trip.
SKYWATCH: A recent headline in a local magazine projected the positive image of private
flying generated by Sky Watch when it proclaimed: ‘Guardian Angels keep watch’.
A two page feature about volunteer air observation pilots from local airfields donating their time
and aircraft free of charge and often getting help to incidents within the Golden Hour, the vital
first 60 minutes that can help stop an incident turning into a tragedy.
Another article - about Sky Watch pilot Sahib Bleher carrying out an Angel Flight for young
Rob Evans contained this quote from Rob's mother: "A lot of people see pilots as rich and
snobby, but Sahib was just an ordinary guy, making sure we had a good time."
Sky Watch Founder Arnold Parker said: ‘Sky Watch was not started as a PR exercise for
private flying but the media coverage of our work has generated public goodwill towards
private pilots, and shown that local flying fields are a valuable resource to the whole
community. [AP]
UNITED STATES
CALIFORNIA: Many in Europe point to the US as an example of an apparently thriving law
enforcement community. Sheer numbers apparently are impressive to some. True there is
some good out there but a deeper understanding of the facts might not go astray at times.
In November 2004 Law Enforcement Officers from Stockton announced they are starting a
new non-profit Air Support Unit for cities in the San Joaquin County. The San Joaquin Valley is
720 Square miles in area with some 7-8 cities.
The embryo operation is collecting equipment and is currently approaching agencies with
unused helicopters or equipment to see if they would care to donate it.
It is not all a pipe dream, they already have the donation of a 4,000 sq. ft hanger and a range
of pilots imbued with enthusiasm agreed, just no aircraft.
When Tim Ray, a patrol officer with 15 years service in the city of Stockton - the largest in the
County - started "Stockton Metro Air Support Inc" people looked at him as if he was strange.
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When he told them they would be flying for free, volunteering their time to help cities that
cannot afford the expense of helicopter patrol they were dismayed but he still got his team
together.
The team consists primarily of those who love to fly and others who don't necessarily need
finance. ‘Stockton Metro Air Support Inc’ was incorporated on September 16 and now has a
board of three directors, CPA, and a Vice-President/Secretary. Tim Ray has ratings in fixed
wing and rotorcraft, the chief pilot normally flies Air-med out of Lake Tahoe for an air
ambulance company and Robert Pinedo operates the Stockton Jet Center at the Metro airport.
He is a 2,000 hr pilot and already he and Tim fly the San Joaquin County MD500 on a
volunteer basis as Air Posse pilots. That unit is also cash and capability strapped.
The city of Stockton has a lot of money but even after successfully demonstrating the
possibilities to all the right people the project did not get funding. Clearly air support has a low
priority - reaching the present stage has taken five years.
The Stockton project does not have a helicopter yet but flight training has started using the local San Joaquin Sheriffs MD500D.
From left to right. Tim Ray, Chief Pilot Brian Grayson and Robert Pinedo (Board member).
CONNETICUT: A liability dispute over a contract involving the repair of an engine part
grounded the $2M state police Bell 407 helicopter for nearly two months from November 3.
The dispute was mediated by the state attorney general's office. The Bell, ‘Trooper One’
returned at the end of December.
Its absence was felt. Hartford police were unable to use the aircraft to search for suspects
when detectives were shot at in early December and when an Amber alert was issued in
eastern Connecticut for three kidnapped children. Although several dozen calls for service
from local and state police and homeland security patrols of waterways and potential terrorism
targets such as bridges and nuclear plants have been reduced a helicopter was borrowed from
Massachusetts on one occasion and fixed wing aircraft have been operated.
The part - a fuel unit for the turbine - has been at Helicopter Support Inc. in New Haven for a
month and a half, awaiting approval from a lawyer for the Department of Public Safety, and
lawyers for the engine manufacturer and repair firm. It is all blamed on the lawyers and the
paperwork it seems.
The fuel unit was to be replaced by a loan item from Rolls Royce pending the arrival of a new
part this month. But the lawyers got involved in a disagreement over liability issues and
everything ground to a halt. No details on the specific liability issues are available.
Operating the helicopter costs about $150 an hour. During maintenance, it is generally out of
use no longer than two or three weeks. [Hartford Courant]
Ed: That last paragraph should be of interest to European operators faced with the costs of
twin-engine helicopters!
This helicopter was acquired in 2001. Although there was talk of acquiring a second Bell 407
in the wake of 9/11 nothing happened leaving the 5,000 square mile State vulnerable to such
mechanical issues.
IOWA: A patrol helicopter has been on area law enforcement's wish list for a long time, but
the associated costs are prohibitive.
January 2005
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Now, the Des Moines Police Department [DMPD] is considering sharing the benefits and costs
of a helicopter with other area law enforcement agencies.
It's been nearly 30 years since Des Moines police had a helicopter. The department operated
one in 1973, but they dropped it from service just two years later when the funding was
switched to buying personal radios for street patrol officers.
DMPD are assuming a need to cover minimum costs of $500,000 plus maintenance and
running costs, hence the need to share costs by sharing. [The Iowa Channel]
Ed: Four years ago an arrangement was agreed between WHO-TV and officials in Des Moines
that placed the television station's helicopter at the disposal of local crime-fighters. The station
retained first call on the helicopter and access to scoop because a reporter accompanies the
police on the chopper ride.
Iowa has few law enforcement helicopters, Cedar Rapids PD has acquired a string of DoD
surplus helicopters for a number of years but operate just one at present. Most of the other
resources in the state are fixed wing.
NEW YORK: Two three years old Suffolk County Police Aviation Section MD900 medevac
helicopters have been grounded because their financially troubled manufacturer is balking at
replacing cracked parts.
The first aircraft was grounded in September when mechanics found hairline cracks on the
rotor hub, which connect to the large blades that provide lift. Police officials took the second
chopper off-line November 22 for the same problem. As a result the county to shut down the
air unit at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton and adding 15 minutes to East End rescues.
The county's lone remaining helicopter is a Eurocopter AS350B2. That to will stop operating
out of Long Island MacArthur Airport on January 1 for a week or two of routine maintenance.
As a result, the entire Suffolk aviation unit will be shut down for the first time in decades.
As an emergency replacement, state police have agreed to supply a medevac helicopter and
pilot to the county for two weeks beginning this weekend.
County Executive Steve Levy blamed the problem on cracked rotor hubs and called the
grounded choppers ‘clunkers.’
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Levy also said that he believed that ‘Helicopters
that cost millions should have a shelf life of a
decade or more, not just a few years.’
The county legislature have approved an
emergency resolution to spend $3.1M for a new
helicopter. It cannot be delivered until at least
May. Levy said its highly unlikely Suffolk will buy
the new aircraft from MD Helicopters.
Dale Christman, MD Helicopters, said MD is
aware of the complaint but MDHI does not agree
there are cracks in the rotor hubs. Nevertheless
the company is trying to obtain replacement hubs
but they will not be available from suppliers until
after January 1.
The county purchased the Explorer’s in 2001 and
have constantly complained about maintenance
problems. It appears that the unit has been
sending the hubs back and forth to the company
trying to get replacements but they keep sending
them back saying they are good.
Levy said MD Helicopters returned one hub
unfixed and an independent assessment by an
laboratory both confirmed the existence of two
cracks that police mechanics found and a third as
well. The county has filed a complaint to the FAA.
[Newsday]
WEST VIRGINIA: Although delivery is many months away the State Police are said to be
‘eager’ to fly their new $5.1M MD900 Explorer helicopter. It will have a winch, infrared camera,
a searchlight and night-vision-goggle compatible lighting. The new craft will be ‘light years’
ahead of the Vietnam-era Hughes OH-6 craft they use now and because it's American that will
make it easier to get parts.
Lawmakers approved the funding for the new helicopter in November but it will take almost a
year to receive the made-to-order aircraft ‘from McDonnell Douglas factory in Texas.’ [Ed: just
WHO is this McDonnell Douglas they are buying Explorer’s from?].
Currently the operation has two trained pilots and two in training to fly a pair of four-seat,
Vietnam-era craft. A fifth pilot is serving in Iraq.
The OH-6 are limited in capability so when the Ohio River flooded, inundating parts of
Wheeling, among other places, troopers had to request a helicopter from Detroit that could
hoist a stranded victim out of danger. This is one of the roles that the Explorer is slated to
undertake in an all-weather role.
To replace worn-out parts of the existing helicopters, mechanic Dave Cisco removes them
from another, non-functioning craft at the hanger.
The exterior of the new helicopter is predicted to be painted white, blue and gold. The State
Police attempted to purchase a new aircraft 2½ years ago. The department acquired $1.2M
from the sale of another helicopter and sought further funding. When it was not available,
officials shelved plans. Now the additional $3.9M needed to pay for the Explorer has been
found. [Charleston Daily Mail]
Ed: The West Virginia State Police air unit has had a some pretty public ‘bad luck’ with their air
fleet selection. It has relied on a pair of Hughes OH-6As since the mid-1990s despite regularly
trying to replace them. In 1998 they purchased an MD600N from Boeing but that crashed in
training in January 1998 and was disposed of in 1999 having never served. The operation of a
Bell 407 from 2000 was likewise short-lived for undisclosed reasons. The announcement that
they were to buy the Explorer comes just at a time when the type is suffering from significant
company ownership and serviceability issues. Will the deep and damaging allegations from
Suffolk County serve to seal MD’s fate?
There was a time I just thought that it was sheer bad marketing to 'lose' the correct
manufacturers title of MD Helicopters and revert to McDonnell Douglas. Although drawn to the
January 2005
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conclusion that this might be a marketing ploy to 'Americanise' the Dutch product and make it
more acceptable to customers the concept does MD no favours. So we can forget that
perhaps. So perhaps the root of MDHI’s problems was in failing to win over its customers and
agents to the brand.
Last month the Department of Defense announced that the real McDonnell Douglas Helicopter
Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a contract to remanufacture six AH-64D Aircraft in Mesa for
the US Army by August 31, 2007.
Suffice to say this is not MD. When MD Helicopters, Inc. was purchased from Boeing they
retained the McDonnell Douglas [MDHC and MDHS] names for mainly military products. And
yet there are many police customers out there who persist in showing their ignorance in calling
their Explorer’s a McDonnell-Douglas product.
If after all this time since the creation of
MD, they cannot get the name right after
regularly being told by the manufacturer,
what faith can we be expected to place in
their other reasons to purchase? MD
Helicopters Inc. has not sold the Explorer
using the name McDonnell Douglas in
advertising since they took over.
Police officers in particular should know all
about accuracy in investigation and
reporting – especially when they are tasked
with buying a very expensive tool like a
The sign is clear but perhaps some are blind.
helicopter.
Professionalism
requires
application to detail.
AUSTRIA
Austrian based Air Ambulance Technology [AAT] has furnished a MD 900 EMS Interior to the
Austrian Helicopter Operator Knaus.
The interior in Quick-Change configuration incorporates a medical floor with locker system, a
medical equipment carrier, a rescue stretcher, adjustable and swivelling medical crew seats
and a cabinet for the stowage of medical material. Loading and unloading of the patient is
conveniently performed from the LH side. The equipment is EASA certified and delivered with
a STC. [AAT]
CZECH REPUBLIC
Air Ambulance Technology [AAT] has delivered three
EC 135 EMS Interiors to Delta System Air, a private
HEMS operator based in Hradec Kralové. The new
helicopters complement an EC 135 procured in 2002
that also had an interior from AAT. The new
helicopters will be used on HEMS Stations
throughout the Czech Republic and will replace AS
350 series helicopters.
The STC certified quick change interior for the EC
135 feature a leak-proof medical floor with two locker
systems, a JAR/CS 27 rescue stretcher, a medical
cabinet, a medical equipment carrier with electrical
distribution and oxygen system, medical crew seats
and an Oxygen/Air station. It is installed or removed
within 20 minutes without any modification to the
structure of the helicopter.
Readers may recall that AAT also handed over three
EC-135 EMS Interiors on order for the Czech Police
last year. [AAT]
January 2005
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ITALY
On December 1 Elilario Italia delivered Eurocopter SA365N3 Dauphin 2 I-LOBE to Caiolo
Airfield for crew training. This is the first of two new Dauphin helicopters bought to replace
ageing Agusta-Bell 412s currently operated in the EMS role in Sicily.
Helops [formerly Air Vallee] operating out of Aosta Corrado Gex Airport took delivery of a new
Agusta A109E Power last month. One of the roles it will fulfil is Civil Protection in the Aosta
Valley.
NEW ZEALAND
The Life Flight Trust, operators of the Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the
Life Flight NZ air ambulance were the benefiting charity from the 2004 Practice-a-thon run by
the Aneela Pancha School of Violin.
The fundraising event, now in its 3rd year aims to give students a fun and purposeful incentive
to practice with a bit more intensity than usual. All students encourage family and friends to
sponsor them for each practice session undertaken over 10 days.
The Practice-a-thon raised a new record of $1,011 this year. Two students Eilish McIntyre and
Emily Old, raised nearly $300 between them.
Each year Life Flight needs to raise $2M from the community to keep this vital life saving
service operating. http://www.lifeflight.org.nz
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN: Western Cape Health has paid tribute to the SA Red Cross Air Mercy
Services, (AMS) which provides emergency aero-medical and rescue services throughout the
province.
The organisation was established in 1966 and consists of an air ambulance network, health
outreach and emergency rescue services. AMS faces an increase in air rescues between
November and February.
Over the past year, its combined fixed wing and rotor wing air ambulance and rescue services
had attended to 1089 requests and moved 989 patients. During the peak season, AMS
receives 23 to 46 rescue calls a month. In November it was 20.
AMS has upgraded its helicopters and fixed wing aircraft medical interiors, preparing it to
attend to emergencies such as gunshot wounds and road accidents. [BUA News]
UNITED KINGDOM
CONFERENCE: Confederation of Helicopter Ambulance Services [CHAS] held its second
Annual General Meeting following its third year of addressing Air Ambulance issues for the
UK. The demise of the IAA leaves CHAS as the primary centre of the industry in the UK.
CHAS welcomed over 110 delegates to the first National Air Ambulance Conference and
Showcase Arena at the Chateau Impney – Droitwich Spa. The programme was designed to
reflect the views of each of the core teams within Air Ambulance Operations. Representatives
from the CAA, Department of Health, Accident and Emergency, HEMS Crewmembers, Pilots
Fundraisers and the MOD delivered a full and informative programme with the Showcase
Arena offering opportunity to the delegates to Network and discuss specific aspects of the
products and services represented.
With the largest attendance to date, the Chairman Mr Barry Johns briefed on the progress of
CHAS over the past 12 months highlighting the key work Items completed/updated.
The meeting considered the key work Items scheduled for 2005. These were agreed as: • The development of the Data Collection and Analysis programme for CHAS Members.
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• An update of the Air Ambulance Deployment Criteria.
• Production of a Ground Emergency Services Personnel Briefing Document.
• Establishment of a CHAS Website
• It was agreed that given the proposal to identify Easytask as the Data Collection and
Analysis programme, that this be linked with the ISS/UKTARN studies that are ongoing within
the pre and hospital phases of trauma care.
• This would therefore, enable a better ‘outcome’ study of patients attended to and delivered
to hospital by Air Ambulance.
• CHAS will progress the presentation of this proposal with the National Audit Office and will
seek support and funding for this project nationally.
The AGM supported the re-election of Mr Barry Johns – as Chairman and Mr Paul Westaway
as General Secretary. The Cluster Leads are also unchanged as:
Mr Sam Kennedy
Scotland
Mr Mark Winter
Wales
Mr Mik Lindley
Northern Cluster
Mr Bob Seaward
Central Cluster
Mrs Gill Williams
London HEMS
COUNTY [WEST MIDLANDS]: The availability of Nationwide funding for air ambulances
from a single source disappeared with the expiry of the AA [Automobile Association] scheme
years ago, but large scale individual funding agreements are there to be had.
Midland Expressway, the company behind the M6 Toll road north of the City of Birmingham
has pledged to sponsor County Air Ambulance for three years in a deal that is worth
£90,000.[$170,000]. This is the company’s second donation.
DEVON: Last month Police Aviation News ran a story predicting the move of the Devon Air
Ambulance from Exeter Airport to the Middlemoor Police HQ hangar. It also repeated
television reports that some local residents were complaining about the news.
A month on the Devon Air Ambulance report that contrary to those verbal ‘complaints’ to date
no one has written any letters of complaint at all. The only known public responses - one
phone call and one letter- were in favour of the move. [DAAT]
GREAT NORTH: The three aircraft air ambulance operation has taken delivery of its first
Explorer. An Explorer formerly operating in the air ambulance role with Schreiner in the
Netherlands [PH-RVD C/n 00079] has now been registered G-GNAA to Police Aviation
Services and operated for GNAA based at Durham Tees Valley Airport.
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The Explorer gives the Teesside based Trauma Team a massive boost in capability. It puts the
Great North Air Ambulance at the forefront of helicopter support in the UK along with their
partners at London HEMS.
The Explorer delivery is part of the rolling plan to replace all three of the existing helicopters
within the next few years.
Ed: Great North were operating a mixed fleet of BO105 and AS355F1 aircraft until the arrival
of the Explorer, it is not yet clear which aircraft will be disposed of. The Explorer was one of
two operated in the Netherlands since 1991.
LONDON HEMS: The operator has placed its MD900 Explorer G-EHMS for sale with broker
Michael Wheatley. The total flight time shown for this high cycle airframe is given as 1,900.
The helicopter remains in service with Virgin HEMS at the Royal London Hospital in East
London.
YORKSHIRE: - Leeds Bradford International Airport replaced Christmas cards with cash by
giving a donation of £1,500 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity fund.
By using the money that would usually be spent sending Christmas Cards, the airport decided
to donate the money to this worthwhile cause, which is based at the Southside of the airport.
From left to right - Steve Borrowdale, YAA Trustee, Cllr Tony
Cairns, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Leeds Bradford
International Airport, Darren Axe, YAA Paramedic, Matt Niven,
YAA Pilot & Steve Johnson, YAA Paramedic.
UNITED STATES
NEBRASKA: Early last month MedStar, a McCook-based regional emergency air transport
provider, reached an agreement with a Pennsylvania based CJ Systems to resume local
emergency medical helicopter service in the area.
From January 1 a new, twin-engine helicopter will replace the current operation that MedStar
began from its new permanent base in McCook on June 1.
The CJ Systems Aviation Group, one of the largest air medical aviation companies, will
employ the helicopter, pilots and mechanic. It operates 110 aircraft in 71 air medical programs
throughout the United States.
NEW YORK: Mercy Flight of Western New York has received a $150,000 state grant. The
funding will assure that Mercy Flight will continue its full service in providing emergency
medical services and helicopter transportation during health emergencies throughout Western
New York. [Buffalo News]
KANSAS: A request by the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District to build a
concrete landing pad at Fire Station No. 3 was approved by the planning authorities last
month.
Some nearby residents objected to the plan, saying the helicopter noise was thunderous,
disruptive to their lifestyle and harmful to property values but other residents signed a petition
in favour of the plan, and the document was presented to the Planning Commission before
their decision. The request now advances to the Blue Springs City Council, which will have the
final determination.
LifeFlight began the flights last January with the helicopter landing on the station's lawn. For
safety purposes, officials sought the 40-foot square concrete slab. [The Kansas City Star]
January 2005
11
INTERNATIONAL
The major news this last month was the deep sea earthquake under the Indian Ocean and
consequent death and destruction caused by a number of massive tsunami waves that struck
eight countries. This event has been covered in detail in the media and does not bear
repeating here.
Suffice to record that in each of the affected countries airborne rescue services are at full
stretch and have been undertaking rescue and aid-drop sorties from the start. Meanwhile the
World is gearing up to provide aid – and not without its share of mess-ups.
Russia’s Emergency Ministry sent two planes with humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka where the
death toll was reported to be 15,000 people.
The aircraft – including an Antonov An-76 – carried among other goods, 25 tons of tents.
Apart from aid Russia also sent one of the BO-105 rescue helicopters assigned to its
Emergency Ministry and a group of experienced rescuers. [Mos News]
Immediately after the disaster in Asia, Norwegian Air Ambulance (NLA) offered to provide
three planes, ten doctors and ten nurses. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly not
responded to the offer.
The company claims that if the authorities had accepted our offer we could have collected
about 20 emergency patients since the tidal wave hit.
Officials at the Directorate of Health and Social Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs claim to
be unaware of the offer.
While NLA is waiting for an answer from Norwegian authorities, the company has already
flown home two Swedes and two Finns.
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES: Coffs Harbour will be the base for a helicopter rescue service on the
Mid-North Coast.
The service will be established in 2008. It will cover the Hastings and Camden Haven areas,
initially operating 10 hours a day, seven days a week and becoming a round-the-clock service
from 2012.
The decision to base the service in Coffs Harbour follows an eight month-long review of the
helicopter rescue operations in NSW. [Port Macquarie News]
VICTORIA: After 12 months of negotiations the prospects for an emergency helicopter
rescue service in south-west Victoria have diminished with resources giant Woodside Energy
set to go it alone.
At one time the company were offering to underwrite the service in partnership with the
WestVic Helicopter Rescue Service and the State Government. They now appear to have tired
of getting the service agreed.
Woodside has now advertised for tenders for a helicopter service to meet its own offshore
needs.
It is believed the State Government was attempting to squeeze several more million dollars
from the community to sponsor the service, along with more funding from Woodside, despite
the company offering $20M for the project.
IRELAND
After the full evaluation programme the Irish Department of Defence has selected the AB139
helicopter for their utility helicopter requirement including troop transport duties, air ambulance,
inland search and rescue and VIP transport. Four of the helicopters will be delivered to the Air
Corps. It is expected that negotiations will be completed by New Year.
The AB139 achieved Italian (ENAC) in 2003 and European EASA early 2004. FAA certification
was expected by year-end 2004. Several AB139s have been already delivered to European
and African customers.
January 2005
12
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Situated off the Coast of Venezuela this South America this Netherlands colony is at the
centre of a drugs trafficking area and made use of Netherlands Navy P3 Orion aircraft posted
to the islands primarily on DEA work. USN P3s and the USCG have also regularly been
posted alongside them.
At one time the NAF also operated Fokker
50 [or F27MPA] aircraft alongside their
P3s but they were retired in July 2000 replaced by a third P3. Proposals to buy
two new F27s for service in 2001 failed to
materialise.
Last month a deal was struck between the
UK and Netherlands governments under
which RAF Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft
will provide reconnaissance and coastguard duties in the Dutch Antilles. The Dutch
government is paying up to $10M to cover a three month period in the first quarter of 2005
after the removal of all the P-3s from the air base at Hato. The aircraft have been sold. The
maritime patrol, SAR and counter drugs services will resume using two Fokker F60 transports
in March. [Flight/IPAR]
PHILLIPPINES
Long before the disaster sparked in the depths of the Indian Ocean, a smaller disaster
prompted President Arroyo to order the use of her own helicopters to help in rescue and relief
efforts for victims of a deadly storm that left nearly 600 dead or missing in the Philippines.
All four helicopters of the Presidential Transport Wing are now available to fly SAR missions in
areas such as hit by the storm early last month.
The presidential helicopters are on standby for any emergency flights along with three military
UH-1H choppers.
January 2005
13
PORTUGAL
The first EH101 Merlin was handed over to the Portuguese Air Force at a ceremony held late
last month at AgustaWestland's Vergiate facility.
The Portuguese Government decided to procure 12 EH101's for Search and Rescue, Combat
SAR role and Fishery Protection.
Early in December it became clear that one arm of the MD Helicopter In. rescue effort had
stalled. Sources suggest that Sikorsky were not happy with the guarantees that the
management at MDHI were able to offer and decided that it was prudent to walk away.
Although nothing has appeared from beyond the wall of silence to confirm Sikorsky’s decision
the deal was predicted to have been sealed by the end of November and clearly this did not
happen.
If confirmed that appears to leave just one other player in the field. This mystery group is said
to be successful venture capitalists with interests in aviation but no existing aircraft
manufacturing ties. Clarification of whether they will grasp MD’s problems was predicted as
being before year-end. Well, now we are there at the time wall and silence again prevails.
Keystone Ranger Holdings, the aviation private equity group formed and led by Steve
Townes of Ranger Aerospace, topped just over $100M in 2004. The group expects growth in
2005 to reach approximately $120M, excluding any additional acquisitions that might be made.
Keystone Ranger Holdings, which Mr. Townes formed to buy Keystone Helicopter in late 2001,
has run true to form underlining its position as successful venture capitalists with interests in
aviation.
Keystone Helicopter is one of the largest and oldest helicopter services companies in the
United States. Founded near Philadelphia in 1953, Keystone Helicopter employs nearly 500
people in multiple locations, including a new state-of-the-art MRO facility adjacent to the
Chester County Airport in Coatesville, PA. The company is FAA/JAA certified, with extensive
expertise and experience in maintaining, modifying, updating, completing, overhauling and
operating helicopters. MRO is its largest business. [Media]
Following two years of development and testing the Utility Boom Mount developed by British
company Aerospace Design Facilities UK has been EASA approved.
The Utility Boom Mount is a removable nose bracket for AS350 and AS355 type helicopters
and requires no modification to the aircraft frame. Although designed with gimbals in mind
other payloads can also be considered.
The bracket was designed to aerial
cameraman
Michael
Brennan's
specification seeking a design offering a
removable portable bracket, offering a
higher than normal VNE limit than existing
FLIR and TV gimbals.
The bracket can be fitted on the left or right
side and does not interfere with dual
controls, floats or autopilot and has a VNE
of 130 knots. The bracket in its flight case
is light enough to be shipped as
accompanied baggage. Additional clamps
are available so an entire fleet can be
permanently fitted with clamps thus
reducing the rig time of the bracket itself to
just 15 minutes. The UK price is £14,500.
Sensor turrets currently certified on the Utility Boom Mount are the UltraMedia II, UltraMedia III
and the Cinflex V14. Most models of PolyTech and Wescam video can also be fitted.
January 2005
14
The potential benefits for police and emergency services lie in its ability to be fast and easy rig
and de-rig. A bracket with FLIR and downlink could be fitted to any available aircraft in an
hour. Two brackets and two gimbals can be fitted, subject to C of G. In a public order situation,
one gimbal for the wide shot to monitor crowd control and the other gimbal roams on a tight
shot to gather evidence. Custom payloads up to 50 kg [120 lbs.] can be fitted subject to
certification. The bracket is designed to accommodate high resolution High Definition TV
imaging systems.
The developers are experts in HD aerial video systems and has supplied equipment to the
DEA in the USA. They do not currently have international distributors but they do have
demonstration units that can be shipped anywhere in the world.
Details from Michael Brennan, HD24 Limited +44 1883730043 www.hd24.com/ubm.htm
Bond Air Services' Chief Pilot will be moving to Bond Offshore Helicopters during 2005 to
participate in its new jigsaw/SAR project with AS332L2 Super Pumas and, as a result, Bond
Air Services based at Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton are now advertising for a successor.
The selected person will take up a new position as Head of Flight Operations. Bond is
therefore seeking an experienced helicopter pilot with significant twin-engine and IFR
experience and, probably, a training background. The position will require its holder to possess
excellent management skills and maintain high operating standards, and to bring an
enthusiastic and flexible approach to the job.
The Company is also expanding. The current fleet of twenty BO105 and EC135 helicopters is
to be increased by the delivery over the next 3 years of a further six EC135s and the
introduction in Spring 2005 of Europe's first EC135 simulator at a newly-built training facility at
its Gloucestershire Airport headquarters. [BASL]
The third industry meeting of the European Aviation Safety Agency [EASA] was reported to
have experienced ‘unprecedented levels of attendance’ from representatives of the European
aviation industry. Over 200 experts attended the all-day event, which was the first to be held at
the Agency’s new headquarters in Cologne.
Industry meetings are part of a transparency initiative from the fledgling European Agency to
communicate its activities to stakeholders and to cement its links with industry. Attendance
covered the full scope of industry ranging from small general aviation manufacturers to large
aircraft manufacturers and operators.
Issues such as the Agency’s fees and charges policy and the new regulation on operations
and licensing were debated. Written questions and concerns addressed to the Agency before
the event were widely discussed during a questions and answers session. This interactive
session contributed to clarify issues linked to the implementation and interpretation of
rulemaking procedures.
Given the encouraging attendance and interest of the industry representatives, the Agency
reiterated its intention to organise similar events in the future. [EASA]
Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI) accepted its second Sikorsky S-92 at the helicopter
manufacturer's main facility and was flown to join its sister aircraft in supporting deepwater
drilling and production activity in the Gulf of Mexico last month. PHI signed an agreement in
August 2003 to purchase two Sikorsky S-92 helicopters.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is seeking speakers for three
Business Aviation Regional Forums to be held in 2005.
The events are April 21, at Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, NY, July 7, at Norman Y.
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) in San Jose, CA and September 15, 2005, at
Centennial Airport (APA) in Denver, CO.
The NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum is a day-long learning and networking
experience for the business aviation community and for local business leaders interested in
learning more about this community. The Regional Forums provide a marketplace for business
aviation products and services similar to the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, but on a
smaller more intimate scale. The events typically feature 60 Exhibitors, 40 aircraft on Static
Display, hundreds of Attendees and a variety of briefings on topics of interest to the business
aviation community.
January 2005
15
Speaker abstracts for the Regional Forums must be submitted to NBAA by January 14. All
presentations must be limited to 45 minutes, including time for questions and answers.
Presentations will be selected based on industry need, priority and timeliness. Each presenter
will be responsible for his/her travel and accommodation costs. To download a Regional
Forum speaker application form in PDF format, visit the NBAA web site at
http://www.nbaa.org/rfp.
Tech-Tool Plastics is now offering Bell 407 operators a new line of helicopter replacement
windows. The FAA has issued a STC for a brand-new line of acrylic replacement windows
specifically designed for the helicopter by Tech-Tool Plastics of Fort Worth.
The windows will be on public display February 6-8 in Booth 2448 at Heli-Expo 2005 in
Anaheim, California.
Tech-Tool is offering Bell 407 operators standard windows for windshields, skylights, chin
bubbles and doors. A unique, bubble-shaped skylight provides expanded head and helmet
room. And an aft door camera window with a larger-than-normal slide opening is ideal for
aerial photography. In addition, door windows may be equipped with sliding openings or popout air vents.
Chin bubble windows are available with a choice of a standard screw-in mount or quickchange mount. [www.tech-tool.com]
SkyQuest International, LLC moved on November 8 to a new address at 2715 Reynolda
Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106 USA.
Pratt & Whitney Canada claims to be the first company in the world to offer its personnel first
aid training, at its expense and during working hours. The company's 8,500 employees located
in Canada and abroad will learn the skills to save lives, in both their homes and their
communities. The initiative, taken in partnership with St. John Ambulance, assumes full
significance when one considers, for example, that some 80% of cardiac arrests occur outside
the workplace.
EADS is supplying the Slovenian armed forces with a mobile rescue centre, as well as further
paramedic equipment and vehicle platforms. EADS Defence Electronics Forces Support
Systems are managing the order.
The rescue centre is based on the proven TransHospital mobile army surgical hospital used by
a number of armed forces across the world. As a result, the Slovenian medical services will be
supplied with a NATO-standard field hospital. The EADS unit permits surgical intervention
even under difficult climatic and hygienic conditions. The medical modules for surgery,
intensive care, x-ray and ultrasound diagnosis, pharmacy and blood bank, laboratory and
sterilisation are complemented with patient tents, tent air-conditioning, and electricity
generating units.
Transport Canada (TCCA) has issued Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH04-46 for an
Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system produced by Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) for
Bell 206L-3 and L-4 helicopters. An U.S. STC SR09421RC was issued in August 2004.
The certification clears the way for production Bell 206L-4s to fly away from the factory with
the AFS system installed. The system also is available to existing Canadian commercial
operators of Bell 407s, 206L-3s and L-4s. [AFS]
Europe's EASA Approved the Honeywell TFE-731-20br engine for the Bombardier LearJet 45
XR super light business jet in mid-December. [Honeywell]
January 2005
Following the success of the corporate
EC135
within
the
UK,
McAlpine
Helicopters delivered a 'corporate fit'
EC135T2 to its first Irish customer last
month. This marks the first of a number of
corporate EC135's scheduled to be
delivered into Ireland in 2005.
McAlpine say that the EC135 has become
the 'benchmark' helicopter platform within
the Police Air Support and Air Ambulance
role within the United Kingdom and Ireland.
There are currently 15 Police and 8 Air
ambulance EC135's in UK service with 2
further police and 2 further air ambulance
EC135 deliveries scheduled for 2005.
With the Irish Garda currently operating the
EC135T2 and the Police Service of
Northern Ireland (PSNI) taking delivery of
an EC135T2 in April 2005, the introduction
of a corporate EC135 into Ireland marks a
significant step for McAlpine into this new
developing corporate market. [MA]
16
Eurocopter EC135T2 G-TAGG
NEW GENERATION ARRIVAL
A recent arrival at McAlpine’s Oxford
completion centre was a new Eurocopter
EC145 that is to be a company owned
demonstrator addressing expanding the
emergency services sector. A number of
visits by ECD based demonstrators in the
Eurocopter EC145 G-CDGM
past have seen a range of potential new
operators flown. These loaned aircraft were
equipped for executive rather than utility
roles which somewhat restricted the ability
to directly address and demonstrate
customer needs to the target customer
base - the emergency services and the
military.
This new arrival sported a German
registration on December 18 and was UK
registered on the 22nd. It should be different
in that it is the latest build standard and has
fittings for all the bells and whistles
expected to appear on utility helicopters.
Equipped for…?
The airframe is due to go to the paintshop
Think of a airborne emergency services task and it appears
ready to tempt the customers.
on January 4 and emerge with the next
registration in sequence [G-CDGM] later in
the month.
There was a time when any airframe delivered to a completion centre could be turned around
and emerge as either a utility or executive machine, now that has changed. All aircraft aimed
at the emergency services and military sectors now tend to be delivered ex-factory NVG
compatible and this new 145 is no exception. The airframe [still in primer] exhibits sky-shout as
well as fittings for an external winch and ‘bear paw’ plates on the rear of the skid tubes.
It is likely to be Spring before the aircraft re-appears role equipped for its sales role.
To date the Metropolitan Police have not confirmed its purchase of three EC145. This aircraft
has no direct link to that prospective sale other than potential advantages in trial installations
for future equipment.
Although the EC145 has a similar fuselage to the EC135 there are currently no plans to fit a
role pod as seen on the majority of UK police EC135s. Role equipment will therefore be beam
January 2005
17
mounted for the time being. There will be time consuming certification issues with a pod and
the high skid fit it requires so in the interests of developing the role fit such detail can wait. The
existing role pod on the Devon & Cornwall BK117C1 is not applicable to the 145. [EC/CAA/IPAR]
The recently created foundation has awarded the first two Canadian Memorial Grants to the
families of officers lost in the line of duty.
The TASER Foundation, a new non-profit foundation established to honour fallen law
enforcement officers and provide one time financial grants to their families announced that it
has awarded memorial grants to the families of two Canadian law enforcement officers killed in
the line of duty.
Auxiliary Constable Glen Evely of the RCMO Vernon, BC Auxiliary was killed on November 13,
2004 when his cruiser was struck by a stolen truck. Auxiliary Officer Evely is survived by his
wife and two young children, ages 4 and 7. Parole Officer Louise Pargeter of the Correctional
Services of Canada was murdered by a parolee during a home visit on October 6, 2004.
Parole Officer Pargeter had just returned to duty from maternity leave. She is survived by her
partner and baby daughter.
This year alone 146 law enforcement officers in the United States and 3 law enforcement
officers in Canada were killed in the line of duty.
The Foundation will distribute financial memorial grants to the families of fallen officers in the
United States and Canada through donations and an initial endowment of $1,000,000. Over
half of the initial endowment came in direct contribution from TASER International employees
with the balance contributed by the company. Grants are available only upon request by chiefs
of police and sheriffs as well as federal law enforcement executives in the name of sworn
officers killed in the line of duty since August 1, 2004.
TASER International, Inc. provides advanced non-lethal devices for use in the law
enforcement, military, private security and personal defence markets.
The company states that it is in their plans to expand the TASER Foundation internationally.
Currently they do not have a framework and distribution network established. Meanwhile they
are concentrating on North America to get the TASER Foundation firmly established and
expect to roll out internationally in the future.
For further information contact Gerry Anderson, Executive Director of the TASER Foundation
at Gerry@TASER.com or visit the TASER Foundation website at www.TASERFoundation.org
for facts and video.
The Raytheon Company's Emergency Patient Tracking System (EPTS) deployed by the St.
Louis Metropolitan Medical Response System and used to triage casualties at disaster scenes
won a ‘Gracie’ award by Government Executive magazine during its annual Government
Technology Leadership Awards ceremony last month.
The Grace Hopper Government Technology Award is named for the late Navy Rear Adm.
Grace Hopper, a pioneer in computer science. The "Gracies" highlight outstanding use of
technology in government by recognising projects that make exceptional contributions to
mission accomplishment, cost effectiveness and service to the public. A panel of leading
experts on the federal government's use of technology drawn from the government, federal
contractors and the academic community selects the winners.
Using the EPTS, first-responders at a disaster scene attach a bar-coded bracelet to a patient's
wrist and scan the bracelet using a hand-held device to transmit critical information to
hospitals or triage centres. EPTS helps medical staffs at St. Louis hospitals prepare for the
care of inbound casualties by relaying information such as severity of injuries. The system
enables efficient routing of patients to medical facilities that can best meet their needs, while
ensuring that no single emergency room becomes overwhelmed with an influx of patients
exceeding the hospital's available capacity. [Raytheon]
Air-O-Space International based in Picayune, Mississippi has been recognised for innovative
high tech methods being used in their unique partnership with the Picayune Police Department
in combating the war on drugs.
Picayune Police detectives recently attended the International Association of Chiefs of Police
conference in Los Angeles, California, and were named first runner-up for the Excellence in
Criminal Investigations Award. The award was given to the department for its use of video
January 2005
18
surveillance using an unmanned aerial vehicle provided by Air-O-Space to gather drug
intelligence. The department was one of only nine state and law enforcement agencies to be
recognised worldwide.
Authorities say the Picayune Police Department is one of the first agencies in the United
States to use unmanned aircraft to combat crime.
The planes are being used to look for marijuana fields, gather video surveillance and get to
otherwise inaccessible areas. The UAVs can also be used to inspect hazardous situations,
disasters and aid in searches for missing persons. The small size and low noise output of the
aircraft allows it to fly over a sight and obtain data without being detected.
DRS Technologies, Inc. has announced the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of
Night Vision Equipment Company (NVEC), a privately-held business established in 1977 and
headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The purchase price was $42.5 million in cash, with
additional consideration payable upon achievement of certain revenue targets.
NVEC is a manufacturer and marketer of innovative night vision products and combat
identification systems. It focuses on the rapid development and delivery of lightweight,
affordable image intensification (I2) night vision, uncooled thermal imaging, reflective combat
identification and laser-based products for US and international militaries and paramilitary
organisations. NVEC maintains research, development and production facilities in Prescott
Valley, Arizona, and has production and sales agreements with leading infrared and thermal
imaging contractors.
LD Aviation in the Czech Republic have built a new aircraft using the original drawing for the
long out of production MFI-9HB to produce a microlight.
Four decades on LD have put together some changes to the original design: The basic
structure of the aircraft and wings is unchanged and is made by professional sheetmetal
workers in jigs and uses rivets.
The passage of time has modernised many details; now the whole aircraft is recorded on 3D
digital drawings.
The former fuel system of a tank behind the pilot has given way to two 27 litre integral wing
fuel tanks and an 18 litre fuselage tank conferring nearly 6 hours endurance. A luggage
compartment now sits behind the pilot.
A choice of engines includes either Rotax 912 or 914 and the Jabiru 6 cylinder engine. Each of
these sits under a new composite engine cowling and drives locally produced propellers.
Also redesigned are the wheels, flaps, instrument panel, the closing and opening mechanism
of the cabin and the electrical system and avionics. The battery is now in engine compartment.
The second prototype will be identical, but will have longer wings and ailerons as featured on
the similar BO-208.
LD were hoping to offer upgrade kits for existing examples of the BO-208 and MFI-9 but
foresee certification difficulties in that. [LD Aviation Prague +420 602 210638]
Last month Cessna senior leadership and prominent Kansas government officials have now
broken ground for Cessna's new $20.4M expansion to its Independence, Kansas, facility. The
expansion will include the construction of two new stand-alone buildings: a 90,000 square foot
flight/delivery building and an 11,000 square foot aircraft completions building. In addition,
Cessna will expand its current customer delivery centre by 11,000 square feet.
The architects for the new facility are McCluggage Van Sickle & Perry, based in Wichita,
Kansas. Construction will be undertaken by Walz Harman Huffman Construction, Inc., based
in Kechi, Kansas.
January 2005
19
Cessna's Independence facility sits on a 213-acre site. Current structures on the property
include separate assembly, paint and delivery facilities that total nearly 400,000 square feet.
Independence, Kansas, is located approximately 125 miles southeast of Wichita.
The construction will be completed at the end of this year. The facilities will support the
production and delivery of Cessna's single engine piston aircraft product line and the new
entry-level business jet, the Citation Mustang.
Cessna broke ground for its original 400,000 square foot Independence facility on May 19,
1995, and dedicated the facility on July 3, 1996.
Helicopter Association International (HAI) President Roy Resavage has confirmed that the
US Department of the Interior’s Office of Aviation Services has informed him that
implementation of the digital radio requirement for firefighting aircraft will not occur January 1,
2005. [HAI]
The Bell 210 helicopter made it's first flight on December 18, 2004, at the Bell subsidiary
Edwards & Associates, in Bristol, Tennessee. The flight marks the first in a series of
qualification flights as the Bell 210 goes through FAA certification testing. Bell expects to attain
FAA certification in the first quarter this year.
January 2005
20
The Bell 210 helicopter is aimed at agencies that use the UH-1H in utility, Homeland Security,
law enforcement or firefighting capacities as well as the US Army's requirement for a Light
Utility Helicopter (LUH). www.textron.com
Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation [AIDC] is said to be considering
a tie-up with Enstrom Helicopter in the USA. It already has experience in supplying
components to manufacturers Bell, Eurocopter and Sikorsky but would like to expand business
by buying into a company such as Enstrom. [Flight]
Aviation Group International [AGI] a UK holding company has re-launched production of the
Optica surveillance aircraft and the Sprint aerobatic trainer. The type certificate and design
rights for these two types were acquired by AGI from former owner FLS Aerospace a year
ago. At the time the production jigs for both types had been lying at North Weald, Essex, after
another group failed to maintain momentum in restarting production of the Sprint.
The Optica was relaunched for service entry later this year. Originally launched as the Edgely
Optica, then the Brooklands Optica Scout great things were expected of the type in the law
enforcement role but the engineering capability failed to meet the promise. Both types will
have parts supplied and manufactured by Aerostar, Romania. The Sprint, originally designed
by Trago Mills by way of being the FLS1, will be receiving a radical redesign to add a diesel
engine for service entry in 2008. [Flight/Todays Pilot/IPAR]
Not a time to hold your breath I guess, but the Las Vegas Monorail announced that services
were scheduled to re-open the monorail to the public and begin carrying passengers starting
at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 24. To thank Las Vegas locals and visitors alike for their
support, monorail officials invited everyone to ride free until December 28. The latest closure
has been effective since September 8.
The seven station monorail operates from 0800 to 0200 daily. A single ride is $3. A one-day
pass is $10.
January 2005
21
8 December 2004 Westland Lynx Royal Navy A major rescue operation was launched to
locate the Lynx helicopter after it crashed into the sea 25 miles off the Cornish coast with four
crew members on board.
Based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, it was sent out on a SAR mission [unusual for this type]
off the Cornish coast. It is believed the Lynx helicopter was in the immediate vicinity when the
emergency call initially went out.
8 December 2004 Sikorsky Jayhawk US Coast Guard. Helicopter on a SAR mission over
a vessel, the 72,000 bulk carrier Selendang Ayu in the Bering Sea. The vessel had been
drifting for hours with stopped engines in the 35 foot seas of a violent North Pacific storm. The
freighter, carrying more than 1.6M litres of heavy bunker oil as well as a load of soybeans,
broke in two after running aground on Unalaska Island.
The Jayhawk was lifting the remaining crew when it was reported that a wave breaking over
the bow splashed upward and flamed out both engines. Three Coast Guard crewmembers
[two pilots and Flight Mechanic / winchman] and a cadet from the vessel were rescued after
the crash. Six ships crew were not rescued, they were not wearing survival suits.
The Rescue Swimmer [the fourth crewman] was still on board the ship with the Captain
loading survivors into the hoist basket, so was not involved in the crash. [Media]
The Selendang Ayu is seen split in half in this aerial photo taken a day after the crash. Photos by Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
and US Coast Guard.
10 December 2004 PZL Mielec M-28 GN-97121 Guardia Nacional de Venezuela. The M28 departed Puerto Ayacucho for a flight to La Carlota. It crashed in mountainous terrain at an
altitude of FL115 killing all 16 on board.
11 December 2004 Cessna Citation N174DR Air ambulance of Aeromed International
operated by American Air Network and based at Anchorage, Alaska. The Citation was
preparing to taxi to launch for a mission from Anchorage with pilots and medical team aboard
when the left wingtip struck a freight truck that had been parked on the ramp. The truck was
painted orange and blended into the sunlight (the sun is low on the horizon this time of year).
Aircraft was repaired and returned to service within 3 days. [Concern]
11 December 2004 Cessna 208 Caravan N9229C. Air ambulance of Aeromed
International operated by Grant Aviation based at Anchorage, Alaska. Occurred in the Bethel
base of operations when the Caravan was being towed out of its hangar with pilot and
January 2005
22
paramedics aboard. The tail struck the hangar door, which had not been raised high enough.
The vertical stabiliser was torn off the aircraft. [Concern]
14 December 2004 Eurocopter AS350B3 N971AE. Air ambulance, Air Evac
Services/PHI based in Phoenix. One person died and two others of the all female crew were
injured late when the helicopter crashed in the parking lot of an Apache Junction, Arizona, strip
mall when landing to pick up a patient about 2230hrs. The crash caused a fuel spill but no fire.
Susanna Coracoles, Pilot and Kelly Foster-Stopka, Nurse were injured but the Paramedic
Doreen Renee Johnson, 26, suffered fatal injuries. [Media/FAA/Concern]
16 December 2004 Schweizer S333 N San Antonio PD, Texas. A police helicopter flying
to check on a West Side roof was forced to return to Stinson Airfield after the pilots smelled
smoke coming from the engine. On landing it was found that an exhaust cone was missing
and that several wire bundles in the engine had melted. No one was injured. [San Antonio Express]
21 December 2004 Bell UH-1H. Thai Army operating on a border patrol mission on the
Thai-Myanmar border. Of eleven persons on board seven were lightly injured. The Huey was
landing on a hilltop field of a border police outpost in Prachuab Khirikhan province about 230
kilometers (140 miles) southwest of Bangkok. It veered off-course and crashed. [Media]
SAFETY
The ALEA have launched their Safety First
Program on their Web Site [www.alea.org]. Its
purpose is to eliminate accidents by building a
communications network that reaches out to all
ALEA members on safety and related issues.
The programme is all-inclusive, and addresses
chief officers, unit managers, safety officers and
aircrews. Safety First takes a proactive approach
that makes safety an integral part of every
organisation’s culture.
There is a monthly newsletter and the first of
these is now on-line on the web-site. Future
issues will include information about accidents
and incidents, safety bulletins, safety studies,
training materials, safety audits, and other safety
related information.
Every unit will receive a safety poster every three
months to help in staying focused on safety. The
posters will have different themes that address
how to eliminate accidents.
Much of this information will only be available to
ALEA Members only.Keith D Johnson is the
ALEA Safety Program Manager, until he retired
he was with the Los Angeles Police Dept. He can
be contacted via +1 310 839-5813 or
safety@alea.org
Ed: It is very early days yet and any critique may be misplaced. However, I do hope that this
information will be available to a fairly wide audience [beyond the membership] and will bring
in information from outside the membership. If this scheme works it will promote safety within
but still leave accidents happening in the wider law enforcement arena. The public perceive
accidents in toto and do not differentiate between ALEA members and non-members.
Furthermore there have been clear signs recently that there are too many in US law
enforcement professing not to understand the simplistic limitations placed on Public Aircraft
use. They are remarkably similar to those the British impose on their police aircraft. If you are
not crew or employed on the primary mission – No, never. That message is simple compared
with actually putting flight safety into practice.
January 2005
23
50 YEARS UP – continued.
Last months edition carried the first part of an
article marking the first 50 years of the air
section of the Italian fire service. This month
Dino Marcellino completes the story with a
visit to one of the Nuclei Elicotteri at work in
Liguria where they work in a region which
offers a range of environments - mountain,
plain and sea.
Genoa Nucleo: the drawing aptly depicts the dual role : fire
fighting (water pail and medical bag). The sunglasses refer to
the sunny coastal location.
Nucleo Elicotteri Liguria is one of the
oldest Nuclei, being founded on 1956. It is
based on the west side of Genoa
International (Cristoforo Colombo) Airport.
Liguria is a largely mountainous region of
5,400 sq. km with a 450 km coastline on the
Ligure Sea.
The resident population is 1,653,000 but the
mountains and Mediterranean climate attract
a significant tourist population. The Alps are
not high, with the tops peaks just a little over
2,000 metres, but the winter sports they offer
allied to the Mediterranean climate result in
the region offering attractions in winter and
summer. As a result the local population is
tripled in season.
The building housing the unit is of recent
construction and can house four helicopters
of the size of the AB-412. Three 412s are the
standard equipment of the unit. An AB-47.G2
located at the base is a preserved example.
The base is also the central mechanical
spare parts depot for all the AB-412
helicopters in use with the VV.F.
In addition to 12 pilots, 12 specialists cover
the roles of winch operator and mechanic. Inhouse maintenance covers 25 and 100
Genoa International Airport (over a Russian
Air Charter Tupolev 154
checks, 300 hour and beyond are contracted
out.
Two main characteristics differentiate the
Ligurian Nucleo from other VV.F Nuclei
Elicotteri :
• The Region is an environment where the
Alps extend right to the sea, obliging the
crews to be proficient in both mountain and
over water flying.
• The Nucleo provide the regional HEMS
activity, maintaining an AB-412 dedicated to
the purpose. In the other Italian Regions this
service is contracted to private contractors by
the National Health Service.
From Genoa base, in the middle of the
Region, the VV.F maintain a helicopter ready
to take-off within 3 to 5 minutes from dawn to
dusk every day of the year. The most distant
parts of Liguria are within 40 minutes of lift
off. To reduce response time during the
summer months a helicopter is deployed to
Albenga airport mid-way towards the French
border.
Albenga Airport (seasonal detachment)
As most missions are undertaken at sea level
it is possible take advantage of AB-412
power and increase the size of the usual
crew complement from five to seven. The
normal crew of a pilot (commander and
mission chief), winch specialist (mechanic),
and
mission
specialist
rescuer
are
supplemented by a co-pilot (a young pilot)
and second mission specialist.
January 2005
Overflying Finale Ligure, a famous holiday city on the Ligure
coast. On the ground an Italian Air Force AB212, and in the
background Piaggio’s Industrial facilities
For overland missions the mission specialists
are from VV.F Special Units named S.A.F.Soccorso Alpino Fluviale (Alpine-RiverRescue) detached on weekly rotation from
Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia and Savona. For
oversea missions they are substituted by two
colleagues from the Diver Units, detached
from Genoa or La Spezia.
For HEMS missions the doctor and his
assistant (nurse or paramedic) are from the
National Health Service.
There is a standard fit of medical equipment
common to all EMS helicopters including
stretchers, oxygen, ECG, defibrillator,
ventilator and medicines. In addition the
helicopters can carry liferafts and jackets for
sea rescue or metal cutting gear and
24
inflatable jacking bags for use at the scene of
car crashes.
During a single mission it is possible that the
Genoa AB-412 crew might cover a range of
missions. In one instance the heavily used
and accident prone A-26 motorway that runs
through the mountains via a succession of
tunnels and bridges brought all of the
capabilities together in one incident. An
accident in the Pero Grosso tunnel involved
12 cars and 4 coaches, killed one French
citizen and injured 30 others. The VV.F AB412 was the first to arrive on the scene and
specialists aboard extinguished a fire,
extricated people trapped in the cars, treat
injuries and then transport the patients to the
hospital in Genoa by air.
Fundamental to the success of operations is
training. Most training involves working with
other VV.F teams (for example boats crews)
and a range of civil organisation including
Protezione Civile (Civil Protection) to ensure
a standard level of interoperability.
The base commander Mr. Piccardo, told the
author, with a great deal of pride, that VV.F
staff carry out their mission always,
anywhere, anytime, by air, ground or water.
Their high professionalism is recognised by
other Aviation Services commanders, who
cite the Nucleo Elicotteri Liguria as an
example to be imitated.
Dino Marcellino
PEOPLE
•
•
•
John Prior, well known Internationally for selling the Skyforce mapping systems has
moved on from the company after nearly ten years. He has been offered another
opportunity with a Company within the Defence Communications sector. John had been
with Skyforce since its inception as a Limited Company, through the acquisitions by Allied
Signal and then subsequently Honeywell. It is now Bendix/King Europe, A Honeywell
Company based at 5 The Old Granary, Boxgrove, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0ES,
UK Tel: +44 (0)1243 783763 Fax: 992 Web: www.bendixking.com Honeywell is actively
recruiting a replacement so until that time make enquiries of a sales and marketing nature
to Sue Toms at sue@skyforce.co.uk
Across the World there are those who aspire to joining their police air support unit. Many –
probably most – fail to achieve their aim. It is therefore a great pleasure to report that there
is one New York street cop I met a handful of years ago who was doing his darndest to
make the grade and join the NYPD Air Section as a pilot. Now Officer Jon Goldin has
been selected for pilot training. There is a way to go yet but Jon is now on the unit and was
recently able to report … ‘Yesterday was my first day at the unit. It was the best day I ever
had at work, and mostly what I did was sweep up the hangar and empty the trash!’ Ah well,
at least he is not English so he will not have to start over making the tea for the team!
Mike Hayle, better known at the moment for his positions on the Police Aviation Services
board and currently with ABRO a defence logistics contractor is on the move again. Mike
was CEO at PAS at one stage, now he will be joining QinetiQ as CEO to head up QinetiQ's
bid for both the Engineering and Logistics packages of MOD's Defence Training Review an initiative estimated to be worth £10bn over 25 years.
•
•
January 2005
25
Carl Harris, Director of Public Affairs & Advertising for Bell Helicopter retired after 38 years
of service last month. Carl was handling PR at Bell when they were producing 200 UH-1
Huey’s a month for Vietnam. They were still building the Bell 47. Mike Cox has been
named Interim Director of Public Affairs and Advertising at Bell.
When Jim Heisler joined the Monroe County Sheriff's Department in 1971 after a stint as
a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, he was told he would fly the department's soon-to-beobtained helicopter. Unfortunately the department did not keep its promise for over 30
years and it only arrived a few months ago - just in time for his departure from the
department on January 8. In Vietnam he flew soldiers in and out of combat areas and
notched up over 1,300 hours and had his share of close calls. But in service he did many
things, headed up departments like traffic and SWAT but never got to grips with aviation.
Now aged 55 he is out and yet in again – the Sheriff has confirmed that the one time Major
Heisler will remain active in the department and he will get to the new aviation unit, which
means that after all these years, he'll finally get to fly for the department. [Toledo Blade]
SHOWTIME
Rotor Wing Aircraft operations in the
Middle East were recently boosted by the
opening of the Dubai Helishow 2004 – the
Middle East's first International Helicopter
Technology and Operations Exhibition to
target military, commercial and public utility
operators with technology upgrades.
The latest in rotor technologies and
services were showcased at the Dubai
Airport Expo, East Hall from December 6 9, 2004. The event, held under the
Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
and UAE Defence Minister and supported
by the UAE military catered to the region's
potential civil market.
Dubai saw active participation of helicopter manufacturers from countries such as Australia,
Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South
Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, UAE, UK and the USA. Some of the biggest names in the industry
such as EADS-Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Mil, Sikorsky and Bell were there but it remained
relatively small and quiet in comparison with other more established events. The static park
was reported to be restricted to just nine airframes, but that number remains a significant
improvement on other recent start-up shows. Attendance on day one was reported as good
with quality delegations, by day two the attendance was reportedly fair but with mainly lower
ranking people attending. The overall attendance was confirmed as 2,500 trade visitors from
20 countries – a very good start for a new trade show.
January 2005
26
Quiet or not there were plentiful reports of important high powered delegations attending on
the first day and they alone made the resources invested by attending booth holders
worthwhile. To ensure that the show looked good the organisers ensured that all of the
available space was used up – even if that included providing additional space at no additional
cost.
If success could be measured by the ‘fallout’ from the show – the subsequent customer
contacts – Powervamp the power-pack supplier has already declared the event as a massive
boost to this first entry into what was for them a new market.
Similarly TLC Helilift based in South Yorkshire were particularly pleased with the positive
reaction they received in Dubai. Having gone to the expense of taking one of their units to the
show – with the prospect of having to bring it back to the UK again - they were more than
pleased to leave the unit in the hands of a prospective local agent. It is in store for display use
at this years IDEX military show in February.
Although TLC cannot yet notch that unit as an
immediate sale the prospects are good.
Dates for the next Dubai Helishow are: 5 - 7 December
2006.
COMING THIS YEAR
Additional details of Britain’s own Airborne Response event to be held at Oxford Airport,
Kidlington later this year are now emerging.
The organisers of the Airborne Response
Conference & Exhibition which will take place at
Oxford Airport on May 10 - 11 2005 have
announced further information about the
conference programme which will feature some
of the most influential figures in airborne
response.
To view the conference programme click the
following link or paste the url into your web
browser: http://www.ibeltd.com/ARConference
The conference will consider policy, regulatory
and operational challenges in the context of
harmonisation of the airborne emergency
services. Amongst the topics to be discussed in
detail during the two-day conference are:
• Inter-agency co-operation
• Planning and executing world-class airborne
response to a major incident
• How new communication and location
technologies will impact airborne response
• A series of sessions considering the most
effective procurement strategies and case
studies of real life operations from the UK and
around the World
As well as formal presentations, the conference will include panel discussions and workshopstyle sessions designed to encourage debate and discussion with the audience. Attendees will
also hear from overseas airborne responders, sharing learning from unique experiences at
major incidents outside the UK.
Amongst those speaking at the conference will be:
• John Astbury, Director of Operations & Chief Coastguard, Maritime & Coastguard
Agency/The Helicopter Harmonisation Project
• Alan Riddet, Chief Fire Officer, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue
• Joseph Gallucci, Commanding Officer, NYPD Aviation Unit
Commenting on Airborne Response, Alan Riddet, underlines the relevance and timeliness of
the event, 'There is a need for public services in the UK to explore a more co-ordinated
January 2005
27
approach to the use of airborne response. This conference will provide one platform to
stimulate the debate and help to reach some conclusions on the way forward.'
20-24 June 2005 Airmed 2005 Barcelona, Spain The EHAC has selected Barcelona as the
official site of the next AIRMED Congress. This will be the eighth such congress devoted to
aeromedical service since the first was held in Munich, Germany in 1980.
Since then, the active participation of companies from around the world, from the private as
well as public sectors, has had a major influence on improvement in every sphere of the
services offered (medical, operational and management), and has secured a place of
significance for the AIRMED community.
The event will bring decision-makers from the
field of aeromedical service to Barcelona,
giving you a unique opportunity to make the
contacts necessary for your activity, as well as
a chance to analyse the latest trends in the
sector. What is more, this congress will allow
you the possibility to invest in the main
emerging and existing markets around the
world. Spain http://www.airmed2005.org
Helitech, billed as Europe’s biggest and best helicopter show is set to break all records in
2005. Project Manager Sue Bradshaw says that the eleventh biennial Helitech, now
undergoing a tune-up before departing for the clear skies of England’s historic Imperial War
Museum Duxford, already has more exhibitor space reserved than ever before at this stage.
So far the organiser’s can point to a line-up of 180 exhibitors - some of whom are sharing
stands.- with a full nine months before the opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on
Tuesday September 27.
Helitech’s first-ever in-house conference has been arranged for the first day of next year’s
show. One of the biggest opportunities for operators in decades - civil helicopters in military
roles – or COMR – Civil Owned Military Registered - will be thoroughly analysed by speakers
at a venue less than five minutes from the main exhibition hall.
The conference entitled ‘The Civil Helicopter in a Military Role. COMR Delivers for Defence’
will be at The Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Hinxton, near Cambridge on Tuesday
September 27.
The conference is being organised by Tangent Link, a company that offers a unique blend of
professional conference organisers with an excellent working knowledge of the defence
industry. Subjects to be covered in the conference include Military tasks, Civil operators,
Parapublic & police roles, Commercial opportunities, International examples, The regulatory
framework, War risks & liabilities, Special role equipment & NVG operations, UK SAR and
Support on deployed operations.
Further information can be obtained from Hayley Chaplin at Tangent Link Tel: +44 1628 660
566 Email: hchaplin@tangentlink.com
Helitech will take place at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England from
Tuesday 27th to Thursday 29th September 2005
For further information please contact Sue Bradshaw Tel: +44 (0) 20 8439 8886 Email:
sue.bradshaw@spearhead.co.uk
DIARY
January 2005
28
25 - 27 January 2005 Air Power 2005 Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, UK. Shephard Conference.
25-27 January 2005 VideoForum 2005 at Earls Court. UK media technology event. Featuring hundreds
of exhibiting companies and scores of seminars, workshops and conference sessions, the event is for
everyone in TV, video, new media and streaming. The show is divided into three special interest areas:
VideoForum 2005 - try out the very latest kit for production and post and keep up to date with all the
new technology. Get the bigger picture.
i-deliver expo 2005 - services and solutions for distributing media over every kind of digital network.
Make media work for you.
TV Tech 2005 - focuses on HDTV and the new wave of IT products for broadcast and post. Be prepared
for tomorrow's technology.
There is no entry charge; register once for free entry to every event and all seminar sessions.
January 26- 28 ALEA South East Regional Seminar. The Safety Seminar will be held in Miami at the
Radisson Miami. The host agency is Miami Police Dept. Details on the www.alea.org website.
12-17 February 2005 IDEX {nternational Defence Equipment Exhibition] in Abu Dhabi
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©POLICE AVIATION NEWS Number 55 November 2000

Transcription

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