Police Pilot Paragliders in Florida!

kimberlyanne546

kimberlyanne546

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In a world first, police in Florida are taking to the skies in motorised para-gliders to patrol the ground below. Codenamed Operation S.O.A.R, (Search Operations Aerial Response), the four strong team will provide assistance to officers on the ground as a cheaper alternative to helicopters.

 
So, what are the pilot requirements for operating a powered parachute? Medical requirements? Can any Bozo fly one, or must you be a highly skilled and trained pilot such as us is? :rolleyes:

John
 
kimberlyanne546 said:
In a world first, police in Florida are taking to the skies in motorised para-gliders to patrol the ground below. Codenamed Operation S.O.A.R, (Search Operations Aerial Response), the four strong team will provide assistance to officers on the ground as a cheaper alternative to helicopters.

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Two words: Shot down.

They're going to get hurt.
 
Powered parachutes are so slow, a three year old on a tricycle could out run one. They use an abominable amount of fuel and need refueled way too fast and can't be effective in winds above about 15 mph, so what's the real benefit?
public relations, i suppose but not too much of that. They are loud and slow, and a silly idea for law enforcement, imo.
 
Could be used to look for growing / meth cooking operations. Certainly cheaper than a chopper.
 
John Baker said:
No really, what are the pilot qualification requirements?

John
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According to my friend who owns one. You get a Sport License for a two seat, or you can get an ultralight license for a very light weight, one seater but he isn't sure if that is still valid.
 
if it meets the ultralight FAR 103 provisions (solo, limited fuel quantity, weight, operation areas) you don't need a license to operate or a medical.

To carry a passenger or have a trike above the weight limit defined by FAR 103, you fall into the Sport Pilot category.

Either case, daylight only.
 
Rob Schaffer said:
if it meets the ultralight FAR 103 provisions (solo, limited fuel quantity, weight, operation areas) you don't need a license to operate or a medical.

To carry a passenger or have a trike above the weight limit defined by FAR 103, you fall into the Sport Pilot category.

Either case, daylight only.
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However, section 103.1(b) says:
"is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only."

So it appears ultralights can't be used by the police without a waiver from the FAA.

EDIT: I notice there is an N number on the side of the paraglider. So not an ultralight.
 
Transponder on board? I know ATC likes to see everything that's in the air, I sure would like for them to be able to see these guys. Additionally, Palm Bay is just outside MCO's Mode C veil, this ain't Nebraska...
 
Florida Cracker said:
Powered parachutes are so slow, a three year old on a tricycle could out run one. They use an abominable amount of fuel and need refueled way too fast and can't be effective in winds above about 15 mph, so what's the real benefit?
public relations, i suppose but not too much of that. They are loud and slow, and a silly idea for law enforcement, imo.
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Powered parachutes are very inexpensive to acquire and operate (far simpler systems and less fuel use than a helicopter), and fly as high as a helicopter and remain on station as long, if memory serves. Thus they are very useful as observation platforms. The comment on wind is quite true, their use will have to be very restricted to just a few hours most days. As such a fixed wing LSA might be the better choice. However, for the cost, even for a few hours a day a powered parachute is quite the bang for the buck. An ice thing to see, especially when it seems like every police department in the country is clamoring for UAVs.
 
Jim Logajan said:
However, section 103.1(b) says:
"is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only."

So it appears ultralights can't be used by the police without a waiver from the FAA.
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Public (governmental) aircraft operations are exempt from the FARs. I'm pretty sure police are included here. So no waiver required, nor any licensing.
 
pericynthion said:
Public (governmental) aircraft operations are exempt from the FARs. I'm pretty sure police are included here. So no waiver required, nor any licensing.
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Unless stated otherwise in their text, FARs do apply to government entities. Note that Section 1.1 of the FARs defines "person" to include government entities. By looking in the "Applicability" section of each part, you'll find any limitations. Section 103.5, waivers, uses the word "person" which is defined in Section 1.1 to include government entities.

While some sections of Part 91 apply only to Civil aircraft, it is easy to forget that except for some references in Part 103 to sections in Part 91, none of Part 91 applies to Part 103.
 
2 guys "walked" up to our airport after disembarking one of these. Aparrently the winds aloft were too strong for them to get back to the airport and they were headed for the mountains, so they put it down in a field, one broke his leg. Doesn't look very viable to me. I dunno why we have to have police roaming around in the air in the first place.
 
steingar said:
Agree completely. Light aircraft are far more cost-effective than helicopters, and can remain on station in skilled hands.
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I'm more than impressed with the CT series of aircraft. At a loitering power setting, those things can stay airborne upwards of 6 hours while burning what seems like an impossibly small amount of fuel. They'll fly slow enough that you can keep an eye on things on the ground and their top end speed is adequate for highway chase scenarios. Good stuff.
 
Aeric said:
Transponder on board? I know ATC likes to see everything that's in the air, I sure would like for them to be able to see these guys. Additionally, Palm Bay is just outside MCO's Mode C veil, this ain't Nebraska...
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No engine driven electrical system, xpndr exempt. Must remain clear of Class B but can fly inside the Mode C veil.
 
As a helicopter pilot I was impressed with the powered parachute flight I took. Excellent visibility. Poor mans helicopter. They aren't going to work for chasing or rushing to a scene, but for looking at stuff(I have no idea what a PD operational look at stuff need is) they are fantastic and cheap. Circling in a fixed wing doesn't come close to helicopters or powered parachutes. Not even close.
 
You are definitely going to be hovering, as they are incredibly slow and since they are slow, how do you get them to the place where you need them, fast enough to do any good? A good motor glider, with a skilled pilot could hang pretty slow, for impossibly long periods, to keep watch, without most of the limitations of a PPP.
 
:lol: I've flown low in everything. Fixed wing isn't the same. Everyone concedes a speed limitation, that is not the point. And I have no idea of the operational value. For looking at things on the ground fixed wing are crap, powered parachutes have visibility equal to helicopters.
 
ClimbnSink said:
:lol: I've flown low in everything. Fixed wing isn't the same. Everyone concedes a speed limitation, that is not the point. And I have no idea of the operational value. For looking at things on the ground fixed wing are crap, powered parachutes have visibility equal to helicopters.
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That's why no one has ever done a sightseeing flight in an airplane. :rolleyes:
 
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