transfer police dogs by helicopters

[heema]

hi there any body has any idia about safty features on how to transfer police dogs by helicopters to cary out a mitoin
place reply:ugh:

[mfriskel]

It really depends on the dog and his handler. A well trained police dog is fine in a helicopter, a lesser trained dog needs muzzeled or kenneled.
We carry them often with no issues.
The handler should know his dog. If you are not comfortable with it, just insist on a muzzel till he leaves your helicopter.

[Helinut]

Think it through before you need to do it. Just the application of common sense really.

Take your aircraft (type), a good dog and handler and talk it through. Try it with everything stopped. I assume you will do "normal" pax brief things for the handler.

I have worked mostly with high skid EC135 with cabin floor pretty high off the ground. Found it best to get the dog lifted in by the handler via the rear clamshell door. Observer supervising and closes/locks clamshell door.

Handler on rear pax seat. Dog on floor with short lead between dog/handler. That way, the dog cannot get to the pilot :)

On exit use side door. Most UK police EC135s have high skids and significant drop to the ground. Handler will need a lead that is long enough to let dog out onto ground without losing control or strangling dog.

In the UK police ops are managed according to the Police Air Ops Manual. It is a CAA publication: CAP 612. There is half a page on police dog ops in there. Available from the UK CAA website:

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (http://www.caa.co.uk)

They say dogs are most comfortable if they cannot see the view.......

Best to let dog/handler do it first in training mode, if possible.

If dog is unknown, a good idea to have a muzzle.

With Twin Squirrel/Twin Star there is less space. We used to remove the front seat observer, let dog and handler get in on the LH side. Handler on LH rear seat. Secure the dog on short lead. Front seat observer rejoins and closes door. Exit would be the reverse of entry. [Dog not far from pilot collective hand/arm on this one]

[hueyracer]

Never had any problems with the dogs in the helicopters...
Not a thing to do when you are allergic, though.....

Lot´s of dog hair flying around....almost knocked out one crew member (who had been allergic)...

Don´t forget to convince the handler to use "ear mugs" for the dog....they help a lot...

[Coconutty]

Safety wise you need to think about :

Carrying out a pre flight briefing with the handler,
covering exactly how to load the dog into the aircraft,
and how to unload again after landing,
making sure the dog is under control at all times and cannot get at the pilot
( who won't thank you if they are bitten !),
or controls and parts of the aircraft that should not be interefered with, chewed, scratched etc.

If the dog is one of the more excitable types, a muzzle is recommended.

Also cover procedures in case the dog does manage to break free,
e.g, If airborne - and control cannot be regained - land immediately,
or if on the ground ensure the handler attempts to call the dog back
to a position where it can be seen by the pilot, and does not go running after it, risking injury from tail rotor etc.
Consider shutting down if the dog doesn't come back etc.

Operationally, it is often a good idea to carry out regular familiarisation flights with the dog(s),
especially if the objective is for them to perform a task as soon as they land,
as the excitement / strange airborne environment might have an adverse effect
on the dog if it is their first flight, and they might not perform as well.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d129/coconut11/Coconutty.jpg

[Capt.Gonzo]

Hi,
If the dog is well trained and used to fly in Helicopters no special safety features are necessary.
If you don´t know how the dog is trained or the dog is from another unit it is a good idea to keep him muzzled.

As hueyracer said, ear mugs are fine thing but unfortunately I never saw a dog with hearing protection in my helicopter.

[SilsoeSid]

In the UK police ops are managed according to the Police Air Ops Manual. It is a CAA publication: CAP 612. There is half a page on police dog ops in there. Available from the UK CAA website:

The UK Civil Aviation Authority

They say dogs are most comfortable if they cannot see the view.......


No they don't!

They say; Sect5 Chap2 Para 6.1b

Note: There is no requirement for the animal to lie down. Dogs are more at ease when able to see out the window.

[wiisp]

Hi,

Dogs are usually no problem in a helicopter. I have been flying with bird dogs and herding dogs in Lapland, police dogs several places and sledge dogs in Greenland. 16 at most in a 212, with very unexperinced handlers.. :)
They usually get a bit unsecure when lifting of but this keeps them calm, and very easy to control. Some wants to lie down, others want to look out the and enjoy the flight..

Fly safe, wiisp

[aeromys]

Oh, and above 1500ft they break wind :O

Pressure drops, we gulp and clear our ears or burp. With the dogs the air inside them is only coming out one way...... Cabin vents open :p

[MightyGem]

Just let them stick their head out of the window. They'll be fine. :)

[Thomas coupling]

Trust me - I am an expert in carrying police dogs - ask anyone who knows me:O

Dogs should be treated as loose cargo and should be housed in cages designed for carrying dogs. They are loose unknown quantities and IF they kick off in flight you are seriously embarrassed.
They can easily be trained to embark/disembark into the dog cage without any fuss and they love it.
Details on the cage can be obtained from the EC135 fraternity in the UK.

[SilsoeSid]

Of course, if it's too much trouble, the dog could always walk :)

http://www.guy-sports.com/fun_pictures/dog_walking_helicopter.jpg

[mfriskel]

I have a great picture of a working dog, complete with hearing and eye protection. Too bad I can't post a picture without linking to a web address.

[MightyGem]

Details on the cage can be obtained from the EC135 fraternity in the UK.
Can't think of anyone who used a cage apart from you, TC. :E

[500e]

Welcome to Mutt Muffs! (http://www.safeandsoundpets.com/index.html)

Posted by CRF

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/22/38856964_c634dc1f29_z.jpg?zz=1

[heema]

Thanks All for the replay
it was my second experience first time with the B205A there was no procedure at time thus talking to the trainer he was in control but it was for less than 10 minutes flight
with this one on the 139 my concern was the duration of the flight as well as the hight 7500' so I insested in proper cage along with the trainer
I was amazed they do like them plus getting in and out it was joy for them
When I asked about there names I aculey started to give them orders eg ( sit shake hands ... and wow
:ok:

[mickjoebill]

Police dogs are very keen to get out of the dog van to such an extent that as soon as the door is opened they jump straight out. Is it true that in the early days (1980s?) of dogs in choppers in the UK a police dog did the same thing when his handler opened the cabin door, unfortunately whilst the helicopter was still some height from the ground?


Mickjoebill

[PO dust devil]

Speaking from experience, you need to ensure the dog is attached to a hard point in the bulkhead or floor where they cannot reach anyone. AND Nevereverever turn around to check everything is okay. Dogs have terrible breath and can bark at huge decibels.:}

They hoist/winch okay too with some introduction to the cable idea.

DD

[Flying Bull]

Hi,

remember a training flight with police dogs - they were tested and trained for helicopter transport.
We used the Bo105 at that time and the dogs juft jumped in with their handler, we did a short flight and after that, the dogs went out and catched a target (man with a covered arm).
On one of the flights a big evil looking german shepard dog just placed his nose on my shoulder and enjoyed the good forward sight....luckly I had a helmet on.
And yes, dogs can´t judge the height - and some handlers can´t even.
So one dog jumped out at about 15 feet with still some speed on. The dog bounced and tumbeled and then went straight for his target - so better don´t mess with police dogs.
Greetings Flying Bull

[morris1]

All the dogs are different (just like handlers).
Some will look out the window, some will lay down.
Others are on their side fast asleep..!!
Only had one throw up thankfully...

Seen the biggest hardest nastiest evil Police dog, be a complete girl and refuse to go anywhere near the a/c..

Just a note, DONT adjust the handlers harness for them if the dog is a bit lively..!!

[mad_jock]

I have seen an army dog get loose from a landy doing 30 mph plus. Go arse over tit then come up like grey hound to sink its teeth into ginger taffs backside 10 seconds later. Brut of beast as well, Taff squealed like only a ginger taff can with a 6 stone dog hanging off his arse cheek.

Dog hated gingers with a passion and used to go mental when ever one was about. Unfortunately that was its second uncommanded attack off the arm to a ginger so it was sent to NI to the H blocks.