Placer County Sheriff gets new AeroComputers equipped helicopter
www.policeaviationnews.com -- January, 2010
Police Aviation News January 2010
The Placer County Sheriff Department (California) recently took delivery of a new build Eurocopter AS350 B3. The AStar was selected after a comprehensive evaluation due to it’s proven track record, vast capabili- ties and open interior layout. Placer County has a broad spectrum of missions, ranging from patrol support, SAR and marijuana suppression and eradication. The terrain in the region varies from the Sacramento valley (near sea level) to an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet. The county enjoys a diverse population that enjoys both summer and winter recreation activities.
The completion was done by Hangar 1 Avionics located in Carlsbad California. The majority of the credit for the integration of a state of the art avionics and mission equipment package goes to Ken Piland and his crew of dedicated professionals. The level of detail and sophistication they brought to our ship has set the bar for future law enforcement completions around the world. We were the launch customer for several new products, as well as integrating several products together in new ways. The technology in the aircraft was carefully selected to bring a higher level of support and safety to the officers we work with, while also lightening the crew workload.
We selected the Axsys V9 HD/IR camera. After careful consideration of competitor products, we felt that the Axsys products are cutting edge and offer several key advantages over others. The combination of cutting edge optics and stabilization make this gimbal system the top of its class. It is the only 4 axis stabilised gimbal in this range. What this means is a rock steady picture at all focal lengths, something competitors products can’t offer. This reduces strain on the operator, as well as allows a clearer picture for identifying targets. Another area Axsys has established itself as a class leader is their integrated hand controller. The controller was designed from the ground up with the input of current flight crews. The single controller can control the camera gimbal functions as well as searchlight functions; It also slaves the two together when needed. It removes the clutter in the cabin or bulky, awkward, bolted together controllers that ergonomically don’t meet the needs of flight crews. Axsys’s ability to listen to their customers needs and provide a product tailored to today’s airborne law enforcement flight crews made the choice an easier task for us. They have already demonstrated their commitment to the highest level of customer service, with their widespread use of the V14 and V14MSII systems with many larger law enforcement agencies.
For our moving map needs, we chose the proven leader, AeroComputers. We have been happy with their performance in the past and upgraded to their new Ultichart 5100 system, as well as the AeroComputers IMU. This system works seamlessly with the Axsys V9, allowing the gimbal to be geopointed at an address and remained locked on to that location regardless of aircraft movement. It also allows the operator to point the camera (or light with the camera slaved to the light) at a location and the computer will tell the operator the address. The tactical benefits to this technology are enormous. In rapidly changing, dynamic events, the ability for the aircrew to have this information at their disposal can literally save lives. We selected the Becker SAR Direction Finder DF-517 LE, that not only searches for PLB and ELT signals, but also receives Lojak and ETS signals. AeroComputers recently completed the integration with this unit as well, allowing the signals from the receiver to be displayed on the AeroComputers screens. Our recording needs are handled by an AeroComputers X3 DVR as well as a Convergent Design NanoFlash for the HD cameras. The Nanoflash was an inexpensive, proven solution to the HD recording problem. Both are compact flash card based. The display screens in the ship are all AeroComputers. The front screen is a relatively new product that incorporates a 10” screen and 12” HD monitor into one solid frame. This allowed us to mount the entire monitor assembly to the LAPD style half panel. This was a crucial design feature for us, that Hangar 1 was able to achieve. It was important for us that the pilot still had as much visibility out of the left side windscreen as possible, something we feel is impeded by the full dash panel. We were able to accomplish having the half dash by the custom centre console created by Hangar 1, which houses much of the avionics equipment normally residing on the full dash. It also incorporates a very slick mount for the Axsys hand controller that again assists the clutter free cockpit ideal. The rear drop down screen is another 12” monitor, mounted to a custom mount by Hangar 1 that can only be described as a work of art. When stowed, it is very unnoticeable, allowing the rear seat to be used as a command platform or training station. It truly exceeds our expectations. The entire cockpit and all interior lighting is NVG compatible, we fly with NVG’s.
After another comprehensive evaluation, we chose the Trakkabeam A800 search light. This light is relatively new to the law enforcement community, but was recently chosen by the US Customs and Border Patrol for their large order of AStar’s. Some of the elements we took into consideration for this light is it has undergone rigorous testing by internationally recognised testing laboratories. The A800 has been certified to the full battery of DO-160E tests at laboratories the United States and Australia. This series of tests includes critical tests such as lightning strike, vibration, AF and RF Susceptibility, Magnetic Effect, and many more – tests which some manufacturers are unable or unwilling to per- form. In testing, and in real world use, the extremely robust Xenon short- arc lamp is more robust than conventional short-arc designs and does not require cooling time prior to restart. This means that the powerful beam is available at all times in any given situation. In addition, violent shocks, as experienced in various mobile applications, have little effect on the Trak- kabeam’s lamp. In our testing the light draws a minimum of 20 amps less than the light we currently use, a huge consideration for us. This allows us to stay within our power limits and still use the light to illuminate the scene when doing night time lifts with our Goodrich hoist. Another unique feature is the internal filter wheel, which allows us to have amber and IR filters instantly available to use when the situation calls for it. All of this of course works in concert with the Axsys V9 hand controller. The beam of light provided is very tightly focused, with almost no light and dark spots as found with other brands.
The ship has Sagem’s new dual 6” glass cockpit displays. One is a primary flight display and the other is a multi function display. The Sagem MFD gives the pilot the ability to select different video inputs (via cyclic buttons) to display the Garmin 530, hoist camera, Axysys camera or Aerocomputer feeds.
Dual Technisonic 7000 radios, a TFM 30 and Technisonic audio panels were selected, which gives the crew 10 police band radios to utilize during large scale, multi agency responses. A Flightcell DZM provides satellite phone coverage in remote areas. Blac-Rac supplied the gun locks that allow us to mount an AR-15 in the cabin and a shotgun in the left side baggage compartment.
EQUIPMENT LIST
1. AeroComputers dual 12"/10" LCD HD monitors mounted at the TFO station; 2. AeroComputers UC-5100 UltiChart mapping system; 3. Dual Technisonic TDFM 7000 series radios; 4. Techni- sonic TFM-30 VHF Lo Band Transceiver; 5. Three Technisonic A711 and A711X audio panels (pilot,TFO, and Rear); 6. Sagem 6" ICDS EFIS displays with video option; 7. Garmin GNS-530W Comm/VOR/GPS Transceiver with XM weather interface; 8. Entire Cockpit is NVG by REB Technologies; 9. Goodrich Rescue hoist installation with down looking camera and hoist light; 10. Rotheta RT-600/DF-517LE DF system with law enforcement option; 11. Aero- Computers 12" drop down LCD monitor mounted in rear overhead; 12. Apical Air Conditioning system; 13. Dart Heli- Access Steps; 14. Dart Vertical Refer- ence Window; 15. Apical wire strike kit; 16. Turbomeca CGTM particle separa- tor; 17. LifePort Rear Seat Kit; 18. Axsys V9 HD/IR camera system; 19. Trakka Corp A800 searchlight; 20. Onboard Systems Cargo hook; 21. FLight Cell DZM Iridium Sat Phone; 22. Free Flight Radar Altimeter system TRA-3500; 23. Artex C406N ELT system with Nav inter- face; 24. Avidyne Traffic System TAS- 610; 25. Garmin GTX-330 Mode S Transponder; 26. Power Sonix PSAIR22 Airborne Public Address System; 27. Garmin SL40 VHF comm.
