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Sep
01
2025
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Posted by Admin
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The global helicopter air ambulance industry stands at a critical juncture, balancing life-saving innovation with complex challenges. As demand for rapid medical transport grows, particularly in remote and rural areas, the sector continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements and increasing healthcare needs. However, it faces hurdles that require urgent attention.
Helicopter air ambulances are indispensable, providing swift access to emergency care where ground transport falls short. Advanced avionics, night vision systems, and medical equipment have enhanced operational efficiency and patient outcomes. The global market, valued at approximately $7 billion in 2024, is projected to grow steadily, fueled by aging populations and rising trauma cases. North America leads, with nearly 1,000 medical helicopters in operation, while Europe and Asia-Pacific are expanding rapidly due to healthcare infrastructure investments. On page 48 we highlight ANWB, an air ambulance service which has grown dramatically in the Netherlands.
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Tags:
Rotor Pro Editor's Letter
Categories:
Opinion-Editorial
Helicopter Sectors
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Aug
25
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Far from replacing helicopters, drones are expanding the capabilities of airborne law enforcement by adding cost-effective tools for overwatch, surveillance, search and rescue, and tactical response. As a result, drones are providing police commanders with more options for doing their jobs better. This includes deploying helicopters where they are most needed, rather than for every job imaginable.
Drones: Fast, Affordable, and Flexible
There is no doubt that drones are doing more jobs in airborne law enforcement than ever before. There’s a good reason for this: Drones cost less to fly than helicopters.
“Agencies and departments are under pressure to do more with less: smaller budgets, fewer personnel, and rising expectations,” said Jason LaFond, customer success manager, public safety at Skydio, a drone manufacturer. (LaFond is also a former NYPD detective with 18 years of experience, so he personally understands law enforcement’s needs.) “This fact has driven rapid adoption of drones, particularly autonomous flight systems, because they offer helicopter-like capabilities at a fraction of the cost,” he said.
“Today, drones are being used as first responders, enabling officers to respond with complete visibility in high-risk situations, often facilitating de-escalation,” noted Wayne Baker, director of stakeholder engagement at DJI, another drone manufacturer. He adds, “For example, drones enable officers to plan safer approaches for themselves and suspects in high-risk situations.”
Mike Bucari is senior manager of marketing-Americas at Leonardo Helicopters, which manufactures drones and helicopters. “Drones (AKA unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs) are becoming more popular due to their relatively low cost, versatility, and ability to provide real-time surveillance,” he said, agreeing with LaFond and Baker. “Today, small-size multirotors are widely used for surveillance, crowd monitoring, search and rescue operations, traffic monitoring, and even in pursuit situations. Drones also allow for the deployment of specialized equipment like thermal imaging cameras, which aid in search operations and tracking suspects at night.“
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Tags:
airborne law enforcement drones
dji
Drones and helicopters
skydio
UAVs
Categories:
Opinion-Editorial
Helicopter Sectors
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Aug
18
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Covering almost 17,000 square kilometers (10,560 square miles) that includes famous nature reserves such as the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe and pyramid lake, Washoe County is also known for its “Biggest Little City in the World”— Reno. The city is known for its many casinos, but also for the renowned Reno-Air Races and attracts thousands of tourists. Therefore, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office relies heavily on its airborne law enforcement unit called RAVEN.
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Tags:
Bell OH-58A+ Kiowas
Regional Aviation Enforcement Unit (RAVEN)
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
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Company Profiles
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Aug
11
2025
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Posted by Admin
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To put me in perspective: I didn’t have a squadron command tour, no beltway time, and I wasn’t a ring knocker. I was just a fleet average major trying to do above average work. I was an XO, a schoolhouse advanced IP, a JTAC, a school-trained ASO, and I even flew Marine One for a bit. So, I thought I had the experience to succeed in the civilian HEMS landscape and that’s what I wanted to do. I had no interest in the airlines, agriculture or utility. With that background on me, here is my take on challenges and wins I realized in my transition to civilian flight and my final recommendations for those making the transition.
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Tags:
Chris Janecek
Military to Civilian Helicopters
Categories:
Opinion-Editorial
Career Development
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Aug
04
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Leading Edge Aviation (LEA) is a family-run business that was established in 1996 in Nelspruit, South Africa. Mark and Charmaine Jackson, with their sons Peter and Stephen, lead an impressive team of pilots, engineers, and aircrew. The company specializes in firefighting and heavy-lift helicopter operations utilizing the Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk and the Bell UH-1H Huey.
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Tags:
firefighting and heavy-lift helicopter operations
Leading Edge Aviation (LEA)
Categories:
Company Profiles
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Jul
29
2025
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Posted by Admin
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RPMN: What is your current position?
I am currently assigned as the commander of the Aircraft Support Branch, Special Enforcement Division, Kentucky State Police (KSP).
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Tags:
Aircraft Support Branch
Captain Timothy Brad Austin
Kentucky State Police Aviation
Categories:
Human Interest
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Jul
21
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Adam Richardson was chatting with his neighbor Randy Sharkey one day in 2022 and let Sharkey know he was moving south for a new job. Richardson’s kids grew up playing with Sharkey’s grandkids, but they never really talked shop. So when Sharkey asked about Richardson’s new job, the men were surprised to find they both were in the aerospace industry. A week later, Sharkey and Richardson were boarding the private jet of Sharkey’s boss, visionary businessman Chuck Surack.
Instead of moving south to work for GE, Richardson ended up staying in the Midwest (albeit 7 hours north) to become COO for Enstrom Helicopter Corporation in 2023. Surack had just saved Enstrom from bankruptcy and wanted to build the storied company back to prominence. When Richardson saw Surack’s passion towards revitalizing Enstrom, he quickly realized this wasn’t a private equity short-term flip.
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Tags:
Enstom Helicopter
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Jul
14
2025
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Posted by Admin
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Remember back when Apple introduced its iPhone with iOS. The new operating system transformed Apple’s cell phone into a powerful handheld computer. Worthy competitors soon followed with their own smartphone operating systems, such as Android. Now, imagine if an operating system had been introduced that transformed any old cell phone into a smart phone. Suddenly, Blackberry phones and non-smart Nokias would have been upgraded into smartphones! This analogy is basically what Skyryse (pronounced sky-rise) is attempting with their proprietary SkyOS, which they say is “the first universal operating system for flight” that upgrades “any helicopter or airplane” with pilot-assisting autonomous flight capability that far exceeds today’s standard autopilot. Does that sound too lofty—too pie-in-the-sky? (One can almost hear tennis personality John McEnroe exclaiming in a commercial, “Choose any aircraft?? You cannot be serious!!”) Well, welcome to the serious challenge that faces Warren Curry, VP of sales for Skyryse. He explains, “In aviation, there’s a lot of ‘vaporware.’ What I mean is that there are a lot of companies over-promising technology as being almost available, but it’s actually years away…. People see (our SkyOS operating system and coming Skyryse One helicopter) as being half a decade away, but our FAA certification is imminent. We’re shipping Skyryse One in 2026.”
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Tags:
SkyOS operating system
Skyryse One helicopter
Categories:
Career Development
Human Interest
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Jul
07
2025
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Posted by Admin
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In the verdant expanse of Flagler County, Florida, where wildlands interface with burgeoning communities, a unique and vital aerial asset stands ready to protect lives and property: the Flagler County Fire Rescue FireFlight Helicopter Program. More than just a worthy air ambulance or needed fire suppression tool, FireFlight is a multi-mission platform, a testament to proactive public safety, and a symbol of the county's commitment to its residents. Born from the ashes of devastating wildfires, this program has evolved into one of the most comprehensive and aggressive airborne emergency response units in the Southeast United States.
During our visit, Rotor Pro had the opportunity to meet and fly with Todd Whaley, FireFlight’s Director of Operations and Director of Maintenance, to learn more about the Flagler County program. It is a program that is definitely punching above its weight utilizing two pilots, six flight medics, and the Airbus H125 to perform a wide variety of missions in an effort to protect and service the citizens and visitors of Flagler County, Florida. Whaley, who has accumulated over 5,000 flight hours of flying experience, has been pivotal in shaping the program.
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Categories:
Company Profiles
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Jun
29
2025
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Posted by Admin
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As editor of Rotor Pro, I'm excited to share our insights into the dynamic landscape of vertical lift in public safety. The sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving operational demands.
Traditionally, helicopters have been the workhorses of airborne law enforcement by providing unparalleled situational awareness, rapid response capabilities and a crucial eye in the sky for pursuits, search and rescue, and disaster response. Our cover feature on Flagler County FireFlight highlights one small operator that has adapted to multiple-missions in order to meet the operational demands of protecting its citizens and property.
Innovations in camera technology, mission-management systems, and real-time data downlink capabilities have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of aviation units, transforming them into airborne command and intelligence-gathering platforms. Agencies are increasingly investing in aircraft with extended endurance and all-weather capabilities, ensuring longer on-station times and operational reliability.
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Tags:
Flagler County FireFlight
Law Enforcement Aviation
Vertical Lift
vertical lift law enforcement