only in the Aircraft Branch, but also in the Kentucky State Police. This career has been very rewarding and has allowed me to not only travel throughout Kentucky, but also the country. We have recently started a Hoist Rescue Program within the last five years. This program has not only allowed us to add another dimension of flying, but has also allowed the branch to respond to numerous natural disasters throughout the state and to rescue lives. This program was built not only within KSP, but with many other partners like RedStar Wilderness EMS, Lexington Fire Department, Wolfe County Search and Rescue, and Kentucky Emergency Management. I give thanks to Priority 1 Air Rescue for the training and assistance in helping us start our program. I also would like to thank our surrounding state agencies that were always a call away to provide insight, suggestions, and lessons learned along the way. This includes Tennessee Highway Patrol, North Carolina State Police, Virginia State Police, West Virginia State Police, and Ohio Highway Patrol. We also work closely with Louisville Metro Police Department and Lexington Metro Police Department aviation units.
RP: Have you ever had an “oh, crap” moment involving helicopters? Can you summarize what happened?
While conducting counter-drug operations, we received a call from a power-line helicopter that made an emergency landing. We were getting conflicting reports, but there was information that he was possibly shot down. We responded to the scene and quickly located the helicopter and crew. We received information that they were in fact shot down and the shooter was
RotorPro_HlfPageAd_EngineMROandMore_JulyAug2025.pdf 1 6/10/2025 10:14:27 AM
still looking for them in a wooded area. We were able to land and extract the crew. It was advised that as we lifted off from the extraction, the suspect attempted to shoot our helicopter as well. He was taken into custody later and subsequently charged.
RP: If you could give only one piece of advice to new pilots, mechanics, or support personnel, what would it be?
Be a professional in every aspect of this business. Aviation is extremely rewarding, but also extremely unforgiving. It always warrants and deserves your best performance. Your passengers and crew deserve the very best from you daily. Do this by seeking professional training as often as you can. I have also learned a lot from other seasoned pilots who can always give you some lessons they learned. This information is invaluable and can help make you the best pilot that you can be.
RP: In your view, what is the greatest challenge for the helicopter industry at this moment in time?
Finding the next generation of pilots to carry the industry forward. This is a problem not only in the helicopter industry, but has been an issue in the law enforcement community for over a decade. We need to continue to produce the best possible product while working to bring in the next generation.
Do you know someone who would be a good subject for Meet a Rotor Pro? Email your suggestion to the editor-in-chief:
lyn.burks@rotorpro.com
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• Glass cockpit
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