NorCal ALEO

Andy White and Bill Probets traveled to Grand Prairie, Texas the week of May 27, 2008 to accept the Park District’s new helicopter. Following the tradition of past airframes flown by the Park Police, this aircraft’s call sign will be “Eagle 7”. This marks the end of first phase of the District’s new aircraft procurement process, which started in October 2006 with a financial retainer being paid to American Eurocopter for an AS 350 B3.

During assembly at the American Eurocopter facility, modifications to the airframe included; wire strike kit, recessed PA system, battery placement in tailboom, SX-16 Nitesun, sliding doors, particle separator and a new paint scheme. Final assembly and test flights started the week of May 19th, 2008

The following week, (May 29, 2008) White signed the acceptance paperwork for Eagle 7, the latest variant in the B3 lineage. Eagle 7 features a dual FADEC Turbomeca 2B1 engine and dual hydraulics on the airframe. Addition of the airframe dual hydraulics raises the internal max gross weight from 4960 to 5225 lbs., and the external “all up weight” increased to 6173 lbs.

With a Garmin 430 GPS and transponder “ferry kit” provided by American Eurocopter, White and Probets departed Grand Prairie, Texas (GPM) the morning of May 29, 2008, for the second phase of the procurement process located in Carlsbad, California. Eleven flights hours and one and a half days later, after visiting wonderful destinations along the way, such as Lubbock, Texas and Blyth,California, they delivered Eagle 7 to Hangar One Avionics, Carlsbad, California, for final aircraft completion.

Final completions at Hangar One Avionics include; FLIR 8500XR, Chelton EFIS, AeroComputers LE5000 moving map, NVG compatible cockpit and a DART medical litter kit, to name a few.

The Park Police expect to take delivery from Hangar One Avionics towards the later part of September 2008.

Harry & Dave,

Thanks for your kind words in remembering Joe Kievernagel, Kevin Blount, & Eric Henrikson in your end of the year newsletter.

We all miss those two very much and our silver lining is the "miraculous" progress of Eric Henrikson. I'm sure you've heard that he is back at home now from the dedicated Rehab facility in Santa Clara. He is speaks normally, is lucid, and has been up out of bed and walking again. He doesn't remember the crash, which is a good thing, because Kevin & Joe were his old beat partners in patrol.

I don't think I'll be able to make many of the NCALEO luncheons but will continue to follow the goings on via your newsletters. Unfortunately since the crash our schedules have been adjusted to dedicate our time to the priority times for airborne patrol here in Sacramento. My crew works from 1700 - 0300 so we wouldn't be safe to fly those nights after trying to make the Concord luncheons.

We'd love to brief everyone on how well things are going in the Sacramento area working with the other major airborne L.E. agencies. We've been working since last January on a dedicated inter-agency flight schedule to maximize airborne presence and it's been really effective. There's been alot of unselfish airborne assistance by the Sacramento PD, CHP, and even Placer SO aircrews.Everyone has been communicating on our joint "Company" frequency of 132.12 MHZ anytime they are up in this area and it has really helped cut down on the potential for mid-air anxiety, even the local media birds are broadcasting their presence/intentions so that's appreciated by all. You might pass on to the others that frequency if they are either transiting, working, or need to reach someone airborne up this way.

Thanks alot, I'll probably run into you guys at the next Barbeque. Tell everyone thanks for their kind support and to FLY Safe!

Tory Torrington
Rotor/Fixed-Wing Pilot/TFO

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AIRBORNE
LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION

The Northern California Airborne Law Enforcement Organization cordially invites all law enforcement and government and related agencies to participate in a gathering of Airborne assets and Crew Members at the Napa Airport on Friday Sept. 8, 2006 from 10 am to 2:30pm.

As law enforcement calls for service continue to increase many department resources are being strained. As the demand for service continues to rise , we must be ready to meet the demands of the community. Vehicle pursuits, barricade suspects and crimes in progress continue to drain the resources available.

Surveillance search and rescue and special responses are considered high risk actions requiring specialized skills and equipment. Since 9-11, agencies are feeling the burden of anti-terrorism issues and when you add the constant potential of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storm floods, aid from the air has become a more valuable asset then ever before. The coverage and support that a aircraft can provide from the air is unsurpassed, providing security to our communities while relieving stress to our already limited number of officers on the ground.

As technology improves, law enforcement agencies must realize these advantages and make use of these air assets. Our fellow Californians to the south and in the inland empire have operated emergency aircraft for many years and their system of emergency callout and mutual aid is well developed. Here in Northern California, airborne assets are fairly new to some agencies. The purpose of this gathering of airborne assets and crew members is to inform all Northern California Emergency Agencies of the availability of rescue and surveillance aircraft.

We solicit and encourage the attendance of your department heads and any interested subordinate personnel. Air crews and the vendors who equip our aircraft will be on hand with their equipment to answer any and all questions of the attendees.

Together with information and knowledge we can make Northern California a safer place to live, work and play.

Looking Forward to Meeting You,

David Tozer
President, Northern California Airborne Law Enforcement Organization