LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD For contributions to the promotion and advancement of rotorcraft in support of law enforcement activities
Andrew Edgerton Chief Pilot, Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Andrew Edgerton fell in love with aviation at an early age, spending hours flying airplanes with his dad. He hoped to be a naval aviator, but he learned in high school that he had less than perfect eyesight. He continued to fly nonetheless, earning his single-engine land and sea airplane ratings in his early 20s before switching to helicopters. Working at a desk job in telecommunications, Edgerton built his helicopter
ratings to include commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings. He began teaching flight instruction in helicopters in 2006, on weekends and evenings, until he landed a full-time news helicopter job. In 2010, Edgerton joined Virginia’s Fairfax County Police Helicopter
Division as a civilian line pilot flying the agency’s Bell 407. He was a part of the unit in 2011 when it became the first US law enforcement agency and air ambulance service to use Bell 429s. “I love the flying we do, as no two days are the same, especially because of
the dual services we provide the community,” Edgerton says. “When the chief pilot position opened, I saw an opportunity to put my old business career skills to work to help strengthen the division.” Edgerton had his work cut out for him. When he took the position in 2021,
Andrew Edgerton
the helicopter division was based at Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF) in Manassas, Virginia, where it had been since July 2020, while its heliport in Fairfax was being rebuilt. He was responsible not only for running the helicopter division from a temporary facility, but also for overseeing the complex heliport design
and construction process—and then facilitating the unit’s successful relocation to the structure in 2023. “One of Andrew’s most significant accomplishments was leading
our team through a challenging transition period, which included the construction of a brand-new heliport, necessitating a three-year relocation to a temporary facility,” explained Fairfax County Police Lt. Brian Bowman in his nomination of Edgerton for the award. “His meticulous planning, leadership, and attention to detail ensured that our operations remained safe and uninterrupted throughout the transition. Andrew’s resolute work ethic, dedication to our public safety missions, and significant contributions have not only elevated our aviation unit but have also had a profound impact on the safety and well-being of our community.” Before his promotion, Edgerton served seven years as safety officer. In
“Andrew [has] not only
elevated our aviation unit but [has] also had a
profound impact on the safety and well-being of our community.”
Brian Bowman, Lieutenant, Fairfax County Police Department
this role, he evaluated and mitigated risks associated with the unit’s missions, developed plans to maintain safe operations, and ensured the agency’s compliance with all aviation regulations and guidelines. “I really do believe in and enjoy serving the community,” Edgerton says. “I enjoy the administrative work, but I also love to fly. If I can pick up shifts while ensuring the other five pilots can attend to their personal lives, all the better.”
Sponsored by
62 ROTOR MARCH 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
