National Institute of Justice flying LSAs

[rezaf_2000]

I don't recall seeing this in the forums before. Apparently the National institute of Justice flew 16 different types of LSA aircraft, ranging from powered parachutes, fixed-wing and gyroplanes, among others from 2007 to 2011.

It seems like the experiment was done by the Sheriff's Association of Texas (SAT) until 2011, and costed Between a half to a million dollars (according to the different reports I found), under award number 2009-IJ-CX-K017 (0).

Here's a list of all the aircraft used. "For 2010, the NIJ Aviation Program reported a total of 640 law enforcement missions flown. During the year, the program reported operating between 10 to 12 aircraft for approximately 983 hours of aircraft operation." Here is a report from the program manager himself. Unfortunately, it seems "the SAT did not complete the Aviation Technology Program Technical Report, which was required by the cooperative agreement award documents, by the end of the award period." So we can't quite be sure what their findings were. However, it seems like whatever the results were, the NIJ is now looking more favorably at drones (UAS).

There seems to be an active website for the whole experiment.

[drseti]

Thanks, Reza. This is the first I've heard of this.

[RotorRambler]

Thanks for that summation. Very interesting.

Ira

[FastEddieB]

Thanks!

Glad to finally see a list where the Sky Arrow is close to the top!

I also have seen one at Knoxville Downtown that's used for collecting aerial samples of some sort.

[rezaf_2000]

Thanks!

Glad to finally see a list where the Sky Arrow is close to the top!

I also have seen one at Knoxville Downtown that's used for collecting aerial samples of some sort.

When I saw the Sky Arrow in there, I immediately thought about yours.

[RotorRambler]

Thanks!

Glad to finally see a list where the Sky Arrow is close to the top!

What's the status of the Sky Arrow? Is it currently in production?

Ira

[FastEddieB]

What's the status of the Sky Arrow? Is it currently in production?

Ira

I believe so.

Spoke with John Hansen at Sebring and he said he had sold a couple, but that the price had escalated north of $100k.

Good news is that the new manufacturers, Magnaghi (sp?), should be on firmer financial ground than 3i was towards the end.

Bad news is that their marketing is abysmal. Not even having one at Sebring was ridiculous - they needed a game plan for bad weather. People are not going to get the hots for one, as I did, if they're not exposed to one - as I was at Oshkosh 2006.

[RotorRambler]

What's the status of the Sky Arrow? Is it currently in production?

Ira

I believe so.

<snip>

People are not going to get the hots for one, as I did, if they're not exposed to one - as I was at Oshkosh 2006.

Yep, that's likely true. Nevertheless, I feel a little fevered.

Ira

[zaitcev]

Magnaghi seem to focus on bigger and better, including a certified Sky Arrow 710RG with a constant-speed propeller and retractable gear.

They are also working on a low-wing 4-seater.

[FastEddieB]

Magnaghi seem to focus on bigger and better, including a certified Sky Arrow 710RG with a constant-speed propeller and retractable gear.

I had no idea!

Now I'm a little fevered as well!