FLEET HISTORY The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s
Aviation Unit commenced operations in the early 1970s, first utilizing a Hughes 269 aircraft, later moving to an OH-58, and finally transitioning to a Bell 206 in the early ‘80s, which was also the first medivac
helicopter operating in the
county. In 2002, they began switching to an all Airbus Helicopters (formerly American Eurocopter) fleet with the purchase of their first AS350 B2, which was then complemented with the addition of two B2 models in 2005 and 2007. The unit’s rotary fleet was completed with the purchase of an EC120 airframe in 2008. Fixed-wing operations are also conducted using a Cessna 206H, which replaced a 1999 Cessna 182 in 2010.
OPERATIONS
The aviation section (rotorcraft and fixed-wing) flies an average of 2,300 hours per year in answering approximately 2,500 calls for service. The unit at full staffing consists of one sergeant, one corporal, nine pilots, and two civilian mechanics. Of the unit’s sworn pilots, there are four pilots rated as CFIIs in rotorcraft, and two fixed- wing CFII-rated pilots. The unit’s operation is bolstered by the assistance of 10 re- serve tactical flight officers who augment the units total staffing and provide addi- tional coverage when deputies need time off. The unit’s commander, Sergeant Jeff Brunelle, states that the reserve deputies who provide tactical flight officer coverage are highly valued within the unit. It would
be challenging to maintain a 24/7 opera- tion without their ongoing assistance.
The helicopters are all fitted with cargo hooks, enabling all of the unit’s rotorcraft to assist fire agencies during the dry summer months by utilizing their Bambi Bucket. In addition, the unit’s 2007 AS350 B2 was fitted with the first Goodrich rescue hoist system ever used on a law enforcement AS350 and has a 500lb load capacity. All of the unit’s helicopters have air condi- tioning, a BMS downlink system, Lojack tracking equipment, Avalex moving map systems, and are NVG compatible. All also utilize the FLIR 8500FW system.
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July 2014
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