One has to remember the California Police mentality folks....to say they can be, well.....errr....well the reason they wear neckties is it keeps a certain part of their anatomical makeup from riding up over the tip.
The Sheriff's concern about communicating over a "secure" police channel without authorization is valid.
The Sheriff's concern about an "unauthorized" helicopter participating in the seach is valid.
The Sheriff's concern...not stated...about the
PR embarassment is priceless.
The article notes the aircraft is equipped with specialized night vision equipment and the pilot had done drug interdiction flights for the Sheriff in the past thus he was a known personality to the Sheriff.
The larger question is why the two Law Enforcement aircraft were not involved in the search at that time...they too are equipped with very expensive night vision equipment at taxpayer expense. Also, why has the Sheriff's office not set up an arrangement to use the volunteer aircraft exactly as they do the Sheriff's Posse and Rescue Teams?
If you recall...in Utah about two years ago, a Civilian pilot rescued some people, and performed other services without charge and was done by the FAA for doing so. The huge public outcry swayed the FAA's actions to merely giving the guy a written reprimand and threat of license action if he repeated his actions within a year.
Our government agencies, particularly in Californina, maintain air forces at great expense to the taxpayer and at the direct cost of business to local helicopter operators. For this to happen....some mere civilian "opportunist" to come along and do the job for free when the police would not....well that just isn't cricket.
If these guys are at the HAI this year....I will be glad to buy them a brew or two.
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