Sheriff copters take to Monterey County skies

[ScannerDude244]

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has acquired air support.After nearly four years of research and efforts, the Sheriff’s Tactical Airborne Response (STAR) team will have two helicopters available for use.

http://www.californianonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/NEWS01/71113013

 

[trooperdude]

Aww, how cute.

A baby copter.

The Robinson R-44
http://www.robinsonheli.com/r44police.htm

 

[RolnCode3]

Why would the Jet Ranger be a backup to that? It is cute.

 

[ScannerDude244]

Why would the Jet Ranger be a backup to that? It is cute.

That's what I said when I read it? But they also have CHP H70 that's also in Monterey County most of the time. Jet Ranger looks bigger and has more room.

 

[Kirk]

Why would the Jet Ranger be a backup to that? It is cute.

The only thing I can figure is maybe they're buying a used Jet Ranger, and the R-44 is cheaper to operate?

 

[selgaran]

The only thing I can figure is maybe they're buying a used Jet Ranger, and the R-44 is cheaper to operate?

Looking around the web, it appears the R44 is significantly cheaper per hour. There were all sorts of numbers out there, but the R44 appeared to be about 2/3rds to 1/2 the cost (and at an hourly cost of several 100's to a 1000 dollars, that adds up really fast).

 

[trooperdude]

Looking around the web, it appears the R44 is significantly cheaper per hour. There were all sorts of numbers out there, but the R44 appeared to be about 2/3rds to 1/2 the cost (and at an hourly cost of several 100's to a 1000 dollars, that adds up really fast).

I'd be really interested if their reliability claim for a piston (Lycoming) motor in the R-44 are based in reality.

Turbines have pretty good reliability, but piston engines in a helicopter ?

Scary.

 

[zz0468]

I don't mind piston engines, I just hope Robinson solved the rotor blade delamination problem they were having a few years back. Between that and the fact that the main rotor has been known to come in contact with the tail boom, I don't particularly care for the R44 (or the R22 for that matter). My son, who is a helicopter pilot, refuses to fly any of the Robinson aircraft.

 

[RolnCode3]

I don't mind piston engines, I just hope Robinson solved the rotor blade delamination problem they were having a few years back. Between that and the fact that the main rotor has been known to come in contact with the tail boom, I don't particularly care for the R44 (or the R22 for that matter. My son, who is a helicopter pilot, refuses to fly any of the Robinson aircraft.

Can't put my finger on why, but those sound like sorta' bad things.

 

[trooperdude]

Can't put my finger on why, but those sound like sorta' bad things.

Ya, "rotors turn or pilot goes splat" is generally a very bad thing.

 

[ScannerDude244]

Here is a video about the new copters
http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/SHERIFF/press/TacticalAirborneResponseHelicopter.mpg

 

[wires-n-pliers]

Jet Ranger faster too, something you might consider when calculating flight times and turn around times.

You can get more goils on board too for the dog and pony show rides

 

[ScannerDude244]

New video of the Sheriff's New Helicopter

The Monterey County Sheriff Department's new helicopter, Star One, made a strong debut as a tool for law enforcement by assisting in the arrest of an alleged rape


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjknUiIay0o

 

[ScannerDude244]

County cancels copter accord

Nearly a year after the Monterey County Sheriff's Office debuted two helicopters for police work and search-and rescue-missions, the chopper program appears to be grounded.

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090110/NEWS01/901100332/1002