Lets not kid ourselves about how much money we could save if we went US AirOps style.
Police Helicopter Pilot - NYPD Aviation Unit
The New York Police Department's Aviation Division is staffed with approximately 57 sworn police officers. Even the NYPD helicopter mechanics are sworn police officers.
NYPD operates a total of 4 Agusta A119 Koalas, and 3 Bell 412s. They fly out of Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn NY.
To be elligible for transfer into the NYPD air unit you not only must be a sworn officer, but you must have a commercial pilots license, either fixed wing or rotor wing, and/or an A&P (airframe & powerplant) license.
Five (5) years of experience as a NYPD Officer is preferred before being elligible for the unit, however, an outstanding candidate with excellent credentials can make it in 3-5 years.
Desired qualities are: Aviation experience, excellent evaluations, good sick time record and excellent record of police service.
In addition to supporting patrol officers on the ground, the unit takes on numerous homeland security missions in and around New York City and it's waterways.
Other links;
In 2008 MD Helicopters and the Houston Police Department announced that the department would be purchasing 8 new MD500E helicopters. In addition to the new MD 500s, the department also recently ordered 3 new Schweizer 300 helicopters for training. When all the aircraft are delivered the unit will stand at 16 total helicopters and 1- fixed wing.
LAPD stands at 17 helicopters
At 300 PIC (pilot in command) hours, the officer is given their PIC sign off and can function as a junior patrol pilot. Further training continues IE: instrument rating, CT182RG commercial & instrument, out of valley sign offs day 500 hours, night 1000 hours, Bell 407 transition training 500 hours, night vision goggle PIC sign off 1000 hours, HH1H transition training 1000 hours, rescue pilot training minimum 2000 hours, CFI minimum 1000 hours, sling, hoist, live load etc. …….each continuing or advanced training is set by minimum required PIC hours of experience as well as capability.
Where are all those pesky cost cutting R22 units?