Anyone here ever fly with their sheriff's aero squadron?

Old Geek

Old Geek

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Old Geek
Where I live, the county sheriff has a volunteer aero squadron and a C172. Members are sworn deputies but only fly and observe. Dues are about $300 a year, plus uniforms and background check. They do the usual search and rescue and drug interdiction work. PIC requires 500 hours and 50 hours in type. Observer, no requirements.

Wondering what others' thoughts are on this.
 
'Sworn deputies' as in having a commission arrest powers, state exams etc. or more like the auxiliary types they have in some departments who are sworn to uphold the law but none of the official powers ?

Sounds like it may be a fun gig, flying on someone elses dime and doing something useful for the community. Like all these 'semi-uniform' organizations, it all depends on leadership and who is in the group. Depending on those, this could be anything from fun to giant pia.
 
Technically, we are the aero squadron. Our helicopter has three missions. Fire, EMS and law enforcement. For the law we do searches, chases and we can even insert the deputies and dogs in remote areas if needed. We have FLIR that we use while chasing vehicles during the night and when looking for a suspect. These flights are rare but more fun than any other we do.
 
Not here, local sheriff uses drug money captures to fund a full time aviation dept.
 
My Dad has been in the Orange County Sheriffs Aero Squadron for almost 50 years. He is a sworn deputy and has to do all the annual training a regular deputy does plus attend the fly inns they have over the years. He has always had a twin so he has mostly transported county officials and also prisoners along with search and rescue. At 84 he can still win the spot landing contest more often than not and scores very well in the pistol shoot. Hope I got the same genes. Don
 
Maybe someone can talk our polices into an AC-130 to go along with our nice, new Navy gunships from the other thread. :D I'd sign up for sure!
 
bigred177 said:
Maybe someone can talk our polices into an AC-130 to go along with our nice, new Navy gunships from the other thread. :D I'd sign up for sure!
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Start with the converted C-47, or C-119. (IIRC They were the original "Spooky" gunships)
 
Skylane81E said:
Not here, local sheriff uses drug money captures to fund a full time aviation dept.
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Around here everyone just calls on the Denver Sheriff's bird which is busy all the time. Noisiest helicopter in the city, too. Magnitudes louder than any of the plethora of EMS birds.

EMS birds areaves but busy, along with their company-associated fixed wing birds at both KAPA and KBJC, bringing patients in and out of town, who then are usually ground-transported to area hospitals, but there's a lot of patient transfers between fixed and rotary wing at KAPA and KBJC too. AirLife transfers on the Denver Jet Center East Ramp in area Hotel at KAPA near the vehicle gate, Flight For Life typically transfers in the ramp behind the first hangar row along the West ramp near Mayo Aviation unless there's a big jet parked in the alley there.

(Saint Anthony's Flight For Life has the coolest combo paint-job-wise. Both the helo and the King Air are painted bright orange. Giving the nickname of "BOB" to the King Air. Big Orange Bird. She's very photogenic. AirLife's Learjets aren't as pretty but probably block in a bit faster than BOB does.)

Denver's helo is always buzzing my house on its way down Arapahoe Road going and coming from KAPA for gas. I don't mind. Aircraft noise is a good thing, but it and maybe the occasional Army Guard Blackhawks are the only helos one can hear clearly inside my house when the windows are all buttoned up. I have to have windows open or be outside to catch Flight For Life or AirLife's birds going over.

None of the other agencies appears to have any interest or budget for LE whirlybirds. State owns a few fixed-wing assets including a 182 that can be used for LE chores.

News agencies dropped all their multitude of birds the city was known for for years, and went to one leased bird shared by all the stations willing to pony up cash. Network money for live news dried up.

We went from a typical helo number in the city of six to eight that were aloft and sighted all the time -- to three, in the great recession. Probably never see a news helo landing on the hood of a pickup truck with an armed gunman ever again... or see them crash one in Horsetooth Reservoir, the mountains west of Denver hitting power lines across a valley, or down in Cherry Creek ever again either. Denver news was kinda hard on their birds. ;) Now they don't have any.
 
denverpilot said:
(Saint Anthony's Flight For Life has the coolest combo paint-job-wise. Both the helo and the King Air are painted bright orange. Giving the nickname of "BOB" to the King Air. Big Orange Bird. She's very photogenic.
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The orange fleet has expanded. There are now twin orange King Airs and an orange LR-35.
 
denverpilot said:
(Saint Anthony's Flight For Life has the coolest combo paint-job-wise. Both the helo and the King Air are painted bright orange. Giving the nickname of "BOB" to the King Air. Big Orange Bird. She's very photogenic. AirLife's Learjets aren't as pretty but probably block in a bit faster than BOB does.)
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You can't beat the paint job on our Astar 350 B3. Or the custom tail number. We bought the helicopter not long after the attacks on 9-11-2001.

58933_440914907957_806862957_5009230_2765284_n.jpg

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Old Geek said:
Where I live, the county sheriff has a volunteer aero squadron and a C172. Members are sworn deputies but only fly and observe. Dues are about $300 a year, plus uniforms and background check. They do the usual search and rescue and drug interdiction work. PIC requires 500 hours and 50 hours in type. Observer, no requirements.

Wondering what others' thoughts are on this.
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Sounds like CAP. MSP (Maryland State Police) had a 182 that was temporarily (three weeks) flown by a non-LEO pilot. He's now a "Maryland State Police Civilian Helicopter Pilot I "and flies the King Air as well. From what I understand they didn't have anyone in house available for the 182 for a little while. They don't have volunteer pilot group, they're mostly civilian pilots. A few are from the MSP.
 
Are you referring to Napa? I'm in Sonoma County and wish we had a fixed wing aircraft.
 
flightmedic said:
You can't beat the paint job on our Astar 350 B3. Or the custom tail number. We bought the helicopter not long after the attacks on 9-11-2001.

View attachment 25496

View attachment 25497
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You've posted that photo before, and I wholeheartedly agree. Nice bird. ;)

Mari, that's cool info on the multiple BOBs. Saw one depart today.

How common are these Sheriff's flight things anyway? This is the first I've ever heard of one in 20 years.

But then again, perhaps I lead a sheltered life. ;)

Also trying hard not to de-rail the topic.

The info on our local "fleet" was mostly to say, "The folks with government money around here barely fly LE at all. The EMS and Medical fleet outnumbers them by a wide margin."
 
denverpilot said:
Mari, that's cool info on the multiple BOBs. Saw one depart today.
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Publicity photo. I didn't take this.

2012-02-19%2Bat%2B18-11-19.jpg
 
denverpilot said:
Around here everyone just calls on the Denver Sheriff's bird which is busy all the time. Noisiest helicopter in the city, too. Magnitudes louder than any of the plethora of EMS birds.

EMS birds areaves but busy, along with their company-associated fixed wing birds at both KAPA and KBJC, bringing patients in and out of town, who then are usually ground-transported to area hospitals, but there's a lot of patient transfers between fixed and rotary wing at KAPA and KBJC too. AirLife transfers on the Denver Jet Center East Ramp in area Hotel at KAPA near the vehicle gate, Flight For Life typically transfers in the ramp behind the first hangar row along the West ramp near Mayo Aviation unless there's a big jet parked in the alley there.

(Saint Anthony's Flight For Life has the coolest combo paint-job-wise. Both the helo and the King Air are painted bright orange. Giving the nickname of "BOB" to the King Air. Big Orange Bird. She's very photogenic. AirLife's Learjets aren't as pretty but probably block in a bit faster than BOB does.)

Denver's helo is always buzzing my house on its way down Arapahoe Road going and coming from KAPA for gas. I don't mind. Aircraft noise is a good thing, but it and maybe the occasional Army Guard Blackhawks are the only helos one can hear clearly inside my house when the windows are all buttoned up. I have to have windows open or be outside to catch Flight For Life or AirLife's birds going over.

None of the other agencies appears to have any interest or budget for LE whirlybirds. State owns a few fixed-wing assets including a 182 that can be used for LE chores.

News agencies dropped all their multitude of birds the city was known for for years, and went to one leased bird shared by all the stations willing to pony up cash. Network money for live news dried up.

We went from a typical helo number in the city of six to eight that were aloft and sighted all the time -- to three, in the great recession. Probably never see a news helo landing on the hood of a pickup truck with an armed gunman ever again... or see them crash one in Horsetooth Reservoir, the mountains west of Denver hitting power lines across a valley, or down in Cherry Creek ever again either. Denver news was kinda hard on their birds. ;) Now they don't have any.
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Is it possible to overuse the term 'bird'?


; )
 
No! Keep them coming. I think I counted 10 in your last post, 6 more 'birds' and I think it qualifies for a gaggle, or maybe a murder...flock?


I dunno.


: )
 
yakdriver said:
My Dad has been in the Orange County Sheriffs Aero Squadron for almost 50 years. He is a sworn deputy and has to do all the annual training a regular deputy does plus attend the fly inns they have over the years. He has always had a twin so he has mostly transported county officials and also prisoners along with search and rescue. At 84 he can still win the spot landing contest more often than not and scores very well in the pistol shoot. Hope I got the same genes. Don
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I was with the OCSD Aero Squadron from 1984 thru 1997 and retired as Operations Sgt. Who is your dad?
 
weilke said:
'Sworn deputies' as in having a commission arrest powers, state exams etc. or more like the auxiliary types they have in some departments who are sworn to uphold the law but none of the official powers ?

Sounds like it may be a fun gig, flying on someone elses dime and doing something useful for the community. Like all these 'semi-uniform' organizations, it all depends on leadership and who is in the group. Depending on those, this could be anything from fun to giant pia.
Click to expand...

Some are more of an auxiliary type but some such as Orange County under then Sheriff Brad Gates (1975-1999) were much more professional.

Requirements for membership in OCSD Aero Squadron were, own or have access to aircraft that is operated at your expense except Sheriffs department paid for fuel only on any assigned mission. Missions could be photo, surveillance, transportation of prisoners, investigators or staff. Arms carrying was optional.

You had to attend monthly meetings for one year before staff of the aero unit voted to except your application. After background check the applicant had to complete CA PC 832 minimum level 3 academy (no arrest authority) and be sworn. Members had the option of higher levels but most did not. Each deputy was issued a badge and ID that identified them as a reserve officer. The biggest difference between some of us and a regular was that we worked without compensation.

Quarterly firearms qualification was required as well semi annual flight check with aero unit instructor. Membership was closed at forty pilots. Deputies mostly were professionals such as doctors, lawyers, business men, airline pilots, etc.

We operated mostly piston twins and singles. A team of three different types of aircraft were on 24 hour call for one week each with a rotation of the crews. Hourly operation cost was tax deductible. We had sheriff colors flight suits, black nylon shoulder harness holster with 9mm semi auto of choice. Many missions were with plain clothes personnel so we dressed the same. Hope this was informative.
 
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Boman said:
I was with the OCSD Aero Squadron from 1984 thru 1997 and retired as Operations Sgt. Who is your dad?
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I bet we crossed paths at some point. I was there from 1982 thru 1991. Flew many a photo-mission with you guys. (I was a forensic specialist with the ID Bureau). Amazing the places you run into previous "station 18" folks.
 
Terry L in KY said:
I bet we crossed paths at some point. I was there from 1982 thru 1991. Flew many a photo-mission with you guys. (I was a forensic specialist with the ID Bureau). Amazing the places you run into previous "station 18" folks.
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I 'm sure we did. Many of the local photo missions were done by slower more open aircraft. We had an L5 and a Super Cub both out of Fullerton that were best for this kind of mission. Personally, I flew an A36 Bonanza so most of my missions were cross county. About the longest distance I went out of CA was to Salt Lake City (3 juvi prisoners pickup) and Winslow Arizona (drug interdiction). Most of our missions were within the state.

You weren't by chance one of the guys that Brad Gates sent to the FBI DNA school during that time period were you? The department had a tight budget back then for something so new and several of us in the aero squadron wrote personal checks to cover the air fares.

When you guys lifted Richard Ramirez's print off the car I flew the investigator and print to the DOJ and San Francisco PD in the middle of the night. ID made!
 
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My Dad joined in 1967 and was in until last year right after he turned 86. Finally sold his Aztec a couple of months ago but still has a 3rd class medical. I went to the pistol range with him a lot when I was a kid. Got pretty good on the combat course.
 
I can't speak to the part time aspects of your situation but I was the full time pilot for a sheriff's office in NC for a few years. I was a full time deputy on criminal patrol that also flew the airplane (c-182). We did narcotics work mostly along with a little SAR and some support missions for the US Marshals. The flying was worthwhile. I will say that the people involved will determine whether or not you have a positive experience flying the LEO missions. Definitely worth trying it out to see in my opinion.
 
I can't look at that orange for long. But I think the paint job on the local ambulance here is pretty sharp

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yakdriver said:
Don Chapton
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I remember your Dad well, good guy. I had a triple bypass in late 96 and was on medical leave waiting for enough time to pass to regain my flying privileges. When I heard Sheriff/Coroner Brad Gates was going to retire I choose to retire also and give someone else the opportunity to move up from Deputy to Sargeant.

I didn't care for the incoming Sheriff Carona and of course history shows I was correct about him. He resigned and was convicted on corruption charges.

Prior to replacing Gates in 1999 he was head of the Marshalls office who mainly had court house and serving papers duty.
 
yakdriver said:
My Dad joined in 1967 and was in until last year right after he turned 86. Finally sold his Aztec a couple of months ago but still has a 3rd class medical. I went to the pistol range with him a lot when I was a kid. Got pretty good on the combat course.
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Yes, Lazer Village combat course was a blast as was the regular qualifying range. One of my duties involved selecting the combat gear for duty wear. After much research and going through Gunsite in Arizona I recommended and we choose Black Nylon Assault Systems shoulder (under left arm holster) with hanging magazine and handcuff poaches on each side. You've probably seen your Dad's.
 
yakdriver said:
My Dad joined in 1967 and was in until last year right after he turned 86. Finally sold his Aztec a couple of months ago but still has a 3rd class medical. I went to the pistol range with him a lot when I was a kid. Got pretty good on the combat course.
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Good for him, I am surprised that they didn't force him out due to his age. Many of the guys I served with aged or medical issued out. Many left during Carona's time.
 
Tarheelpilot said:
I can't speak to the part time aspects of your situation but I was the full time pilot for a sheriff's office in NC for a few years. I was a full time deputy on criminal patrol that also flew the airplane (c-182). We did narcotics work mostly along with a little SAR and some support missions for the US Marshals. The flying was worthwhile. I will say that the people involved will determine whether or not you have a positive experience flying the LEO missions. Definitely worth trying it out to see in my opinion.
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LA County Sheriffs Dept had its' own aircraft and full time regular deputies for pilots when I was with OCSD. OCSD did operate their own copters. When I was there they purchased the first two which were used Boeing 500's. They have since been replaced by Eurocopter AS350 B2 ("A" Stars)
 
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Boman said:
Good for him, I am surprised that they didn't force him out due to his age. Many of the guys I served with aged or medical issued out. Many left during Carona's time.
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He would win or place high in the spot landing contests at the fly ins even in his 80s. Also would win or score very high in the pistol shoots. He would still shoot an approach to minimums right up until ha sold the Aztec. He's got a Remos GX that he flies now and shows no sign of hanging it up for the forseable future. I hope I have his genes. Don
 
yakdriver said:
He would win or place high in the spot landing contests at the fly ins even in his 80s. Also would win or score very high in the pistol shoots. He would still shoot an approach to minimums right up until ha sold the Aztec. He's got a Remos GX that he flies now and shows no sign of hanging it up for the forseable future. I hope I have his genes. Don
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I didn't mean to imply that you Dad had lost his skills with age, I just thought the department would have a mandatory retirement age. When I left I was 59 and there wasn't anyone much over 65 that I can remember. I am about eight years behind your Dad and still fly and shot well, however I don't fly the hard IFR anymore that we did to complete some of our missions.

Yes, the training weekends were lots of fun. In the mid eighties we used a private dirt strip owned by Gen. Hansen out by El Mirage and camped, took shotguns and had a great time. Starting in the ninties we moved it out in the Owens Valley to Lone Pine. More free airspace to do the SAR's.

Believe it or not we used to do a low altitude flour sack message drop. We had everything from low wing high performance singles to a Super Cub. I actually won one year at 25' from the bulls eye with my A36. The twins usually didn't complete. Good memories, I wish your Dad well!
 
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Boman said:
I didn't mean to imply that you Dad had lost his skills with age, I just thought the department would have a mandatory retirement age. When I left I was 59 and there wasn't anyone much over 65 that I can remember. I am about eight years behind your Dad and still fly and shot well, however I don't fly the hard IFR anymore that we did to complete some of our missions.

Yes, the training weekends were lots of fun. In the mid eighties we used a private dirt strip owned by Gen. Hansen out by El Mirage and camped, toke shotguns and had a great time. Starting in the ninties we moved it out in the Owens Valley to Lone Pine. More free airspace to do the SAR's.

Believe it or not we used to do a low altitude floor sack message drop. We had everything from low wing high performance singles to a Super Cub. I actually won one year at 25' from the bulls eye with my A36. The twins usually didn't complete. Good memories, I wish your Dad well!
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I flew out to one of the fly ins at the Hansen strip. I was flying a red Citabria. I think they let him stay in so long is because he had the Aztec and was willing to fly almost any time. Don
 
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