Law Enforcement Aviation-Helicopters

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Resource: Law Enforcement Aviation-Helicopters—Patrol & Surveillance
Category: Law Enforcement/Security Kind: Aircraft
Minimum Capabilities (Component)	Minimum Capabilities (Metric)	Type I	Type II	Type III	Type IV	Other
Vehicles	Helicopters	4 or more seats including pilot; 12K ft or < ceiling; Certified aircraft; Jet turbine	Same as Type I except Military Surplus	Same as Type II except 2 or more seats including pilot; Certificated aircraft or Military Surplus but would meet certified, turbine, or reciprocating engine	Same as Type II except 2 or more seats including pilot; certificated aircraft or military surplus but would meet certified, turbine, or reciprocating engine with fixed or inflatable flotation device
	Capabilities	VFR	VFR	VFR	VFR
Equipment	Radios	Programmable/encryption radios (aviation (2) & law enforcement (3 or <)	VHF/UHF capabilities; Police radios	VHF/UHF capabilities; Police radios	VHF/UHF capabilities; Police radios
	Navigation Equipment	GPS Night Vision Goggles
	Visual Aids	FLIR	FLIR	FLIR	FLIR
		Binoculars	Binoculars	Binoculars	Binoculars
		Microwave Downlink Video Capability	Recommended: Microwave Downlink Video Capability
	PPE	Helmet; Nomex Flight Suits; Gloves; Full Leather Boots (mandatory for flight crew, optional for other passengers)	Helmet; Nomex Flight Suits; Gloves; Full Leather Boots (mandatory for flight crew, optional for other passengers)	Helmet; Nomex Flight Suits; Gloves; Full Leather Boots (mandatory for flight crew, optional for other passengers)	Helmet; Nomex Flight Suits; Gloves; Full Leather Boots (mandatory for flight crew, optional for other passengers)
Personnel		Pilot– Commercial or higher, rotary/helicopter, pilot license w/Class I Medical, pre-TFO experience, full-time assignment to unit TFO– Complete unit level training program, minimum 2 years in patrol, superior field tactics skills, full-time assignment to unit Maintenance Staff– Full-time assignment, A&P/IA license	Pilot– Same as Type I except Class II Medical TFO– Same as Type I Maintenance Staff– Same as Type I except not required to be I/A	Same as Type II except Maintenance Staff may be part-time or contracted	Pilot– Same as Type II
Training		Pilot– Currency training every 6 months with all emergency procedures as well as meeting all FAA license requirements TFO– Unit-level training and law enforcement AOT Maintenance Staff– Maintain I/A license with yearly classes	Pilot– Currency training every 6 months with all emergency procedures as well as meeting all FAA license requirements TFO– Unit-level training and law enforcement AOT	Pilot– Currency training every 6 months with all emergency procedures as well as meeting all FAA license requirements TFO– Unit-level training and law enforcement AOT	Pilot– Currency training every 6 months with all emergency procedures as well as meeting all FAA license requirements, including sea plane license TFO– Unit-level training and law enforcement AOT

Comments:

Type I– Day/night patrol helicopters, infrared and visible light, searchlight, jet turbine powered, GPS, microwave or similar downlink, tracking devices

Type II– Same as Type I except military surplus

Type III– Same as Type II except: jet turbine or reciprocating engines

Type IV– Water landing/surveillance/patrol capabilities

Definitions

A&P	Airframe and Powerplant mechanic
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FLIR	Forward Looking Infrared
GPS	Global Positioning System
IA	Inspection Authorization
IFR/VFR	Instrument Flight Rules/Visual Flight Rules
PA	Public Address (speaker)
PPE	Personnel Protective Equipment consists of clothing and equipment that provides protection to an individual in a hazardous environment. Chapter 9 of the IHOG details appropriate equipment requirements for various aerial missions and ground helicopter operations
VHF/UHF	Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency
TFO	Tactical Flight Officer


National Mutual Aid & Resource Management Initiative	Law Enforcement