CHP Air Unit Numbers

[trufan1]

*****THIS LIST IS UPDATED AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE*****
*****LAST UPDATED 04/18/2017*****

Northern Division, Redding:
Air11 / 2000 Cessna T206H / N511HP
Air13 / 2001 Cessna T206H / N513HP
H16 / 2014 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N979HP
H14 / 2014 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N976HP

Valley Division, Auburn:
H20 / 2014 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N974HP
Air21 / 2013 Gippsaero GA8 TC-320 / N140HP
Air23 / 2016 Gippsaero GA8 TC-320 / N148HP
H24 / 2014 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N978HP

Golden Gate Division, Napa
H30 / 2016 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N981HP
Air31 / 2016 Gippsaero GA8 TC-320 / N153HP
H32 / 2016 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N982HP
Air37 / 2015 Gippsaero GA8 TC-320 / N137HP

Central Division, Fresno
H40 / 2014 Airbus AS350B3 / N975HP
Air41 / 2001 Cessna T206H / N441HP
Air43 / 2015 Gippsaero GA8 TC-320 / N139HP

Border Division, Fullerton
H50 / 2006 Eurocopter AS350B2 A-Star / N518HP
H64 / 1994 Bell 206L4 Longranger / N4014Z
H## / 2000 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N314HP (Pending)
H## / 2001 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N341HP (Pending)

Border Division, Thermal
H52 / 2002 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N108HP
H60 / 1993 Bell 206L4 Longranger / N6197N

Coastal Division, Paso Robles
H70 / 2016 Airbus AS350B3 A-Star / N983HP
Air73 / 2006 Cessna T206H (G-1000) / N553HP

Inland Division, Apple Valley
H80 / 2001 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N811HP
Air81 / 2000 Cessna T206H / N881HP
H82 / 2000 Eurocopter AS350B3 / N414HP
Air83 / 2000 Cessna T206H / N883HP

Unknown
Air## / 2000 Cessna 182S / N537HP

 

[scottyhetzel]

Thermal Unit on Border is H-60 (handles Blythe-Banning ) Its a big boy copter. White with Blue and Gold "CHP" writing.

 

[scottyhetzel]

You also missing all the fixes wing units like air 63 out of thermal.

 

[emt_531]

How weird, I was just getting ready to post a question about CHP air units. In regards to the Fresno area, is CE-A43 their fixed wing aircraft?

 

[avdrummerboy]

I can tell you H-80 and H-82 are correct, I hear them all the time out here and have even loaded a few patients into 82!

 

[trufan1]

Thanks guys. Here's what I have now excluding the fixed wing units. I think that's all of them.

Border Division, Fullerton H-50 (Eurocopter AS350B2 A-Star N518HP)
Border Division, Fullerton H-62 (Bell OH58A Kiowa N82786)
Border Division, Fullerton H-64 (Bell 206L4 Longranger N4014Z)
Border Division, Thermal H-52 (Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star N108HP)
Border Division, Thermal H-60 (Bell 206L4 Longranger N6197N)

 

[SCPD]

H-40 is definitely correct. This ship comes over to the eastside frequently for search and rescues as well as EMS incidents in locations without a road nearby. H-80 is correct. I was camped at Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park about 10 years ago when there was a very violent pursuit that started south of Beatty , Nevada. It then moved into Death Valley after the suspects turned that direction in Beatty. The suspects possessed some high power rifles and had shot at both Nye County deputies and a Nevada Highway Patrol officer chasing them.

They tried to get to the Furnace Creek area and I would presume capture a hostage. National Park Service (NPS) protection rangers prevented that. The suspects turned into an interpretive site and drove around some barriers, attempting to escape four wheeling it. They got stuck in soft sand and set out on foot. They fired at the NPS fixed wing aircraft patrol ship. The aircraft was not hit. H-80 responded when the group made its way to the toe of the Panimint Range. They took cover behind and beneath some large boulders. They managed to hit H-40, cause a fluid leak, requiring the ship to land. In this case they had to land in an open area with no cover from the criminals. They had to use the ship for cover. They were shot at. A NPS SWAT team was assembled from many western U.S. park units. They managed to surprise the suspects and take them into custody with no shots fired. The CHP officers were not hurt.

I've not monitored H-82 and cannot confirm its existence. On the rare occasion when a fixed wing is used in Inyo and Mono Counties it comes from the Inland Division. I don't remember what number is used other than it is in the 80 series. Long ago I remember a 20 series fixed wing came over here for speed enforcement on U.S. 395.

 

[NWtoSFO]

Valley Division - Air-21 (fixed wing) out of Auburn. Both it and H-20 will also utilize KMCC for refueling.

 

[fresnostatevb13]

Yes, Air 43 is the fixed wing in the Central Division

 

[Duster]

Inland's fixed wing used to be Air 83...I seem to remember an Air 81, too, but that one may have gone away a long time ago..

 

[SCPD]

I've heard Air 21 over here a couple of times in my 32 years in the eastern Sierra. Fresno and Sacramento are closer for aircraft to fly to Mono County than for Inland Division to come up. Aircraft speed enforcement is rare in the Inyo-Mono area. Search and rescue and roadless area EMS are common, but it is H-40 that does 95% of that. The Inyo National Forest has a ship in Independence, but the Congress has required we bill them at the same rate we contract the ship for. It is close and available, but the counties use the CHP or military ships more often. Apparently those entities don't charge. We have funds that are given to the counties for EMS and law enforcement under, I believe, the Sisk Act. It is given to help counties where the federal land designation attracts visitors, more than a county would otherwise get. I wish there was funding for SAR and EMS helo missions.

On at least one occasion I've heard Inyo NF fire personnel launch the ship anyway for a backcountry EMS extraction with the FMO (Division Chief) or Forest/BLM chiefs saying "we need to do some ABC lightening recon there anyway." ABC refers to the smallest classes of fires an agency responds to. There is a fund set up for just ABC lightning caused fire for both initial and extended attacks. A = 1/4 acre or less, B = greater than 1/4 acre to 10 acres and C = greater than 10 acres to 99 acres. It is interesting hearing discussions related by dispatchers as to the wishes of each county when the use of a federal helicopter is involved.

So we have CHP ships get involved. Their performance is superior, with one exception during my time here. I'm not sure if they are "carded," meaning being qualified for flying on fires in the mountains, a requirement for both the aircraft and the pilots. If a ship isn't carded federal agency folks in Agriculture and Interior can't get aboard. The CHP has pros on board that are paramedics carrying guns. I've talked to a couple of people who have observed their performance. They said the officers are first rate, professional and empathetic. They interact with the feds well, getting on a forest or park frequency for flight following and coordination as soon as they fly over federal land. There is no turf protecting attitude present. Rural counties depend on the CHP for those helos and for backup on all kinds of law enforcement calls. Domestic disturbances, armed robbies, rapes and such when they occur, finds deputies out of position, with CHP officers closer so they role. Mammoth Lakes, with its $43 million dollar, 20 year law suit settlement laid off nearly half the PD. When the calls exceed the PD's capability the CHP rolls Code 3 to town even if not asked. The officers scanners alert them and they just advise dispatch they are headed into town. The dispatcher then notifies the S.O, dispatch to inform the PD what they are rolling on.

When naval helos come over from Fallon, they also do a great job, especially when close hovering near a steep slope or cliff is involved. I've heard them saving lives in some "marginal" conditions.

 

[f40ph]

San Bernardino County:
"H80" - (A-star B3 helo) desert area out of Apple Valley airport.
"Air81" - cessna out of ? (poss also Apple Valley airport).

 

[rananthony04]

FWIW, I hear H-50 in the Orange/LA County area.

 

[kma371]

I've updated the list with Central Div's new Airbus

I was also able to verify most, and removed some old ones.

 

[scottyhetzel]

I've updated the list with Central Div's new Airbus N975HP H-30

Interior: https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn....636_938454896221506_3828792267767453970_o.jpg

Exterior: https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn....774_938454946221501_4344408812435935185_o.jpg

I was also able to verify most, and removed some old ones.

Thanks for the great pic KMa, what is the red and white switch on the right side of the interior pic below the dash? Curious George

 

[kg6nlw]

I've updated the list with Central Div's new Airbus N975HP H-30

Interior: https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn....636_938454896221506_3828792267767453970_o.jpg

Exterior: https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn....774_938454946221501_4344408812435935185_o.jpg

I was also able to verify most, and removed some old ones.

KMA, this thread is exactly what I was looking for!!

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[kma371]

Thanks for the great pic KMa, what is the red and white switch on the right side of the interior pic below the dash? Curious George

Not sure but red/white stripe buttons are usually important. May be engine switch.

 

[Aero125]

Hydraulic Master Switch, It ain't fun to try and control an Astar in flight if you turn it off by mistake!

 

[kma371]

Yup, see! Very important switch! haha

 

[Air37]

I'll add and correct a few

Northern Division, Mt Shasta:
Air 11 / 2000 Cessna T206H / N511HP
Air 13 / 2001 Cessna T206H / N513HP
H-14 / 2001 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N617HP
H-16 / 1999 Eurocopter AS350B3 / N109HP

Valley Division, Auburn:
H-20 / 2014 Airbus AS350B3e A-Star/ H125 / N974HP
Air 21 / 2013 Gippsaero GA8 TC-320 / N130HP
Air 23 / 2001 Cessna T206H / N523HP
H-24 / 2002 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N217HP

Golden Gate Division, Napa
Air 31 2001 / Cessna T206H / N531HP
Air 37 2001 / Cessna T206H / N551HP getting replaced by N137HP / GA8 AirVan
H-30 / 2000 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N314HP
H-32 / 2001 Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star / N341HP

Central Division, Fresno
Air 41 / 2001 Cessna T206H / N441HP
Air 43 / 2001 Cessna T206H / N443HP getting replaced by N139HP / GA8 AirVan
H-40 / 2014 Airbus AS350B3e / H125 / N975HP

Coastal Division, Paso Robles
Air 71 Cessna T206H / N771HP
Air 73 Cessna T206H (G-1000) / N553HP
H-70 / 2000 Eurocopter AS350B3 / N708HP