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Aviation History
1986
1986 - 0971.PDF
>• Concealed criminals are exposed from the Squirrel's lofty vantage point but QB99 is called upon occasionally to help find an absconding convict, a task which can involve large numbers of police men. Other police units are encouraged to make use of the helicopter, and some interesting techniques have been devel oped to make the most efficient use of personnel during a search. Police dogs, for example, are taught how to enter and leave the helicopter, and a "leapfrog" technique has been devised in which the Squirrel is flown ahead of the path taken by dogs which have picked up a scent. This has often resulted in a fleeing prisoner being seen after the direction has been pointed by dogs. Searches of another kind are all too common. There are a number of mental hospitals in the area, and QB99 is sometimes tasked with searching for a lost patient. Unfortunately, lost-person searches can result in the locating and recovery of a dead body; not always in one piece. The PAS pilots have learned to notice tell-tale items of clothing or other evidence which might otherwise go unnoticed. The technique of searching a cliff face calls for considerable skill, but it has saved many hours of diffi- cult and hazardous ground searches by eliminating some of r the more difficult areas. In some cases, sick or injured people close to a well-trodden path have been unnoticed until spotted by an alert helicopter crew. Although the Squirrel's func tion is not casualty evacuation, it is frequently used to trans port an accident victim to the nearest hospital. There have been many cases where lives would have been lost but for the timely arrival of the Squirrel. When powerful cars outpace previous police units the heli copter can help. In one case a Porsche left police cars far ' FLIGHT INTERNA TIONAL, 26 April 1986 behind, but when the driver realised that he could not elude the Squirrel he stopped to allow the police cars to catch up. On such occasions, the sound of a police siren is transmitted over the loudspeakers. Sometimes the Squirrel's ability to main tain contact with a pursued car has prevented a possibly tragic outcome of a car chase. Occasionally the Squirrel crew has made direct arrests. A routine check on a tent at the foot of a cliff revealed a drug pusher who was convinced that he could not be seen. Insurance frauds have been prevented during routine coastline checks. One cliff, which, provides a clear 600ft drop to the sea, is a favourite spot for disposing of cars. The wrecks can be inspected by the crew and frauds thereby revealed. Stolen boats have been intercepted by the helicopter and directed to a quay where the thief has been arrested. Since D&CC introduced the helicopter, boat theft and vandalism have fallen signifi cantly. Salmon poaching, too, has declined, because isolated stretches of river no longer provide a safe haven from police surveillance. Night vision goggles are standard equipment Route checks for VIP visits (or for the movement of high security prisoners) are easily carried out, the VHF radio enabling contact to be maintained with all D&CC frequencies. The helicopter is sometimes called upon to maintain contact with other emergency forces, including fire and ambulance units. The Squirrel has little in the way of special equipment. There is an autopilot, radar altimeter, and standby artificial horizon, but additional items must be proved before budget approval for purchase is sought. Fujinon Stabiscope gyro-stabilised binoculars were bought after a long evaluation. They have proved invaluable for checking car licence num bers and other items which are difficult to see with the naked eye. Sarbe beacons are carried so that the pilot can maintain contact with the observer if he has to enter water on a rescue mission. A hoist is not fitted, since air-sea rescue is not a prime task. Instead, a 12m caving ladder is carried, and has been used in extreme emergencies. Because much of its time is spent around the coast the Squirrel has been fitted with emergency flotation gear. Night vision goggles are carried, but it is acknowledged that the illumination provided by the Dragon is inadequate. "Body bags", a Terylene webbing stretcher are part of the helicopter's equipment. A Flectalon anti-hypothermia blanket in the form of a stretcher has also proved very useful. A video camera is carried and has been used to record evidence. Pilots and observers have developed a "sixth sense" for unusual sights which often turn out to have a sinister aspect. Certainly the Squirrel has justified itself economically, and it is likely that it will be joined by another before long. 41
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