Here ia an article involving LSA.
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2011 ... or-patrol/
Police to use LSA for patrol
Moderator: drseti
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This is a good source of info on LSA in law enforcement. www.justnet.org/aviation
A public entity (sheriff's office) does not need a civil airworthiness or civil airman certificiate when flying for a public mission (sheriff's duty). Therefore, an LSA can be used by a law enforcement entity as it is not restricted to the airworthiness cert. Similiarly, the pilot is not restricted to his SP ticket (if that is what he used).
Yes, we have been using LSAs in law enforcement since 2006 (starting with PPC and moving to S-LSA fixed wing). We are now looking at gyroplanes. Given the low cost of acquistion and low cost of operating, it makes a lot more sense than a $12M helicopter for a lot of the missions.
A public entity (sheriff's office) does not need a civil airworthiness or civil airman certificiate when flying for a public mission (sheriff's duty). Therefore, an LSA can be used by a law enforcement entity as it is not restricted to the airworthiness cert. Similiarly, the pilot is not restricted to his SP ticket (if that is what he used).
Yes, we have been using LSAs in law enforcement since 2006 (starting with PPC and moving to S-LSA fixed wing). We are now looking at gyroplanes. Given the low cost of acquistion and low cost of operating, it makes a lot more sense than a $12M helicopter for a lot of the missions.
Have you ever flown one? Not nearly as much fun!zaitcev wrote:why not switch to a UAV?
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
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- Posts: 73
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:50 am
I think the "invasion of privacy" argument is generally thrown around by media, movies, and the uniformed. Understanding the use of these aircraft and their capabilities would make for a much more informed discussion on privacy rights, etc.
I do find it interesting that people complain about invasion of privacy by law enforcement from the sky but rarely do you hear about the independent pilot. At least law enforcement has restriction on the way they can use pictures/video obtained from the sky. Others can just post it on the internet, sell it for profit or use it to slander someone.
The reality is that the LSA and UAS aircraft used by law enforcement are used to either provide situational awareness during an incident, search and rescue (project lifesaver), or aerial photography of critical infrastructure (schools, prisons, shopping malls, stadiums) to be used for reference in the event of a critical incident.
These aircraft (and the cameras equipped on them) are not (and really aren't that capable) of "spying" on people by taking pictures of their activities in their backyard. From 3,000' the quality of the video can tell there is a person in the backyard and maybe tell if they are black, white, etc. but can't tell any facial features, cloth descriptions or what is in their hand.
I wouldn't discourage law enforcement aviation through LSAs due to fears of invasion of privacy. You could take away a very valuable resource based on wrong assumptions.
I do find it interesting that people complain about invasion of privacy by law enforcement from the sky but rarely do you hear about the independent pilot. At least law enforcement has restriction on the way they can use pictures/video obtained from the sky. Others can just post it on the internet, sell it for profit or use it to slander someone.
The reality is that the LSA and UAS aircraft used by law enforcement are used to either provide situational awareness during an incident, search and rescue (project lifesaver), or aerial photography of critical infrastructure (schools, prisons, shopping malls, stadiums) to be used for reference in the event of a critical incident.
These aircraft (and the cameras equipped on them) are not (and really aren't that capable) of "spying" on people by taking pictures of their activities in their backyard. From 3,000' the quality of the video can tell there is a person in the backyard and maybe tell if they are black, white, etc. but can't tell any facial features, cloth descriptions or what is in their hand.
I wouldn't discourage law enforcement aviation through LSAs due to fears of invasion of privacy. You could take away a very valuable resource based on wrong assumptions.