Victoria Police Air Wing
Encyclopedia
The Victoria Police Air Wing is the police aviation
support unit of the Victoria Police
.
The first helicopter to be operated by the Air Wing was a twin-engined Aérospatiale SA365C1 Dauphin 2 purchased in 1979 (VH-PVF), the first of its kind in Australia, with another two former VIP aircraft purchased in 1986 from the Romanian Government
(VH-PVA and VH-PVK).
On Sunday, 9 August 1987, Air 495 (VH-PVA, the Air Ambulance) was hit by gunfire during its part in the Hoddle Street massacre
, and was forced to land in a nearby park.
A single-engined Aérospatiale AS350B Squirrel was added to the fleet in 1988 for routine operations such as surveillance and traffic patrol in the country areas of Victoria, as well as pilot training duties.
In 1996 police helicopter services began to be outsourced and the helicopters sold to Lloyd Helicopters of Australia (now CHC Helicopters), with the aircraft and their maintenance being leased back. Pilots and tactical flight officers (TFO) continue to be provided by the Victoria Police. From 2001 the Air Wing began to re-equip with new aircraft provided by CHC Helicopters, with the "much loved" SA365C1 models being replaced by their more powerful and much upgraded derivative, the AS365N3 Dauphin.
Along with the 3 new Dauphin helicopters, the Squirrel has also been replaced with a new twin-engined Eurocopter EC135 T2+
that fulfills the same role. The two engines of the EC135 means it is now able to safely operate over urban area
s where the single-engined Squirrel was limited or excluded. While the new aircraft have much greater capabilities over the previous generation, such as HD Forward Looking Infrared
(FLIR) and Night Vision Goggles (NVG), the new aircraft are also significantly quieter, an important feature when operating over urban areas.
In February 2009, the Air Wing moved into new, larger facilities at Essendon Airport
that allowed them to be co-located with Air Ambulance Victoria, with whom they have a partnership, and their Bell 412
specialist aeromedical helicopter.
capability utilising one of the AS365N3 Dauphin helicopters is fitted out for the aeromedical role. This partnership covers joint operations and joint use of the aeromedical Dauphin so it can be utilised for police roles when not required for evacuation, as well as providing a replacement Dauphin helicopters while it is receiving maintenance. This co-operation is aided by having the two organisations sharing facilities at Essendon Airport.
Police aircraft
A police aircraft is an airplane, helicopter, powered paraglider, or blimpused in police operations. They are commonly used for traffic control, ground support, search and rescue, high-speed car pursuits, observation, air patrol and riot control...
support unit of the Victoria Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
.
History
The Air Wing was formed in 1975 after the members of the Victoria Police Aero Club demonstrated the potential of utilising aviation assets for policing roles. At first all Air Wing operations were conducted by leasing two twin-engine Aero Commander aircraft that transported police personnel and support staff around the state.The first helicopter to be operated by the Air Wing was a twin-engined Aérospatiale SA365C1 Dauphin 2 purchased in 1979 (VH-PVF), the first of its kind in Australia, with another two former VIP aircraft purchased in 1986 from the Romanian Government
Government of Romania
The Government of Romania forms one half of the country's executive branch . It is headed by the Prime-Minister, and consists of the Ministries, various subordinated institutions and agencies, and the 42 Prefectures...
(VH-PVA and VH-PVK).
On Sunday, 9 August 1987, Air 495 (VH-PVA, the Air Ambulance) was hit by gunfire during its part in the Hoddle Street massacre
Hoddle Street massacre
The Hoddle Street massacre is a spree killing that occurred on the evening of Sunday, 9 August 1987 in Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.The shootings resulted in the deaths of seven people, and serious injury to 19 others...
, and was forced to land in a nearby park.
A single-engined Aérospatiale AS350B Squirrel was added to the fleet in 1988 for routine operations such as surveillance and traffic patrol in the country areas of Victoria, as well as pilot training duties.
In 1996 police helicopter services began to be outsourced and the helicopters sold to Lloyd Helicopters of Australia (now CHC Helicopters), with the aircraft and their maintenance being leased back. Pilots and tactical flight officers (TFO) continue to be provided by the Victoria Police. From 2001 the Air Wing began to re-equip with new aircraft provided by CHC Helicopters, with the "much loved" SA365C1 models being replaced by their more powerful and much upgraded derivative, the AS365N3 Dauphin.
Along with the 3 new Dauphin helicopters, the Squirrel has also been replaced with a new twin-engined Eurocopter EC135 T2+
Eurocopter EC135
The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:...
that fulfills the same role. The two engines of the EC135 means it is now able to safely operate over urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s where the single-engined Squirrel was limited or excluded. While the new aircraft have much greater capabilities over the previous generation, such as HD Forward Looking Infrared
Forward looking infrared
Forward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation.The sensors installed in forward looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a...
(FLIR) and Night Vision Goggles (NVG), the new aircraft are also significantly quieter, an important feature when operating over urban areas.
In February 2009, the Air Wing moved into new, larger facilities at Essendon Airport
Essendon Airport
Essendon Airport is located at Essendon, in Melbourne's northern suburbs, Victoria, Australia. It is located next to the Tullamarine Freeway on , from the Melbourne Central Business District and from Melbourne Airport.-History:...
that allowed them to be co-located with Air Ambulance Victoria, with whom they have a partnership, and their Bell 412
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...
specialist aeromedical helicopter.
Roles
The Air Wing undertake a wide variety of roles including:- Crime prevention and detection through regular patrols,
- Traffic surveillance of major traffic thoroughfares,
- Air-to-ground direction, guiding police on the ground to their targets,
- Search and Rescue for missing people at sea and in remote places,
- Fire duties utilising a fire bucket as an aerial fire bomber, and providing the Country Fire AuthorityCountry Fire AuthorityCountry Fire Authority, or CFA, is the name of the fire service that provides firefighting and other emergency services to all of the country areas and regional townships within the state of Victoria, Australia, as well as large portions of the outer suburban areas and growth corridors of Melbourne...
(CFA) and the Metropolitan Fire BrigadeMetropolitan Fire BrigadeMetropolitan Fire Brigade could refer to:*Metropolitan Fire Brigade *Metropolitan Fire Brigade...
(MFB) with aerial observation support, - 24 Hour Air Ambulance service,
- Photographic tasks providing aerial photography for crime, traffic, planning and routine operations, as well as covert surveillance, observation and photography of criminal activities.
Air Ambulance Victoria
The Victoria Police Air Wing has a partnership with Air Ambulance Victoria (AAV) to provide a 24 hour emergency air ambulanceAir ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
capability utilising one of the AS365N3 Dauphin helicopters is fitted out for the aeromedical role. This partnership covers joint operations and joint use of the aeromedical Dauphin so it can be utilised for police roles when not required for evacuation, as well as providing a replacement Dauphin helicopters while it is receiving maintenance. This co-operation is aided by having the two organisations sharing facilities at Essendon Airport.
Aircraft
| Model | Registration | Serial No. | Year Built | Introduction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin | VH-PVH | 6604 | 2001 | 2001 | Police purposed. |
| Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin | VH-PVG | 6597 | 2001 | 2001 | Aeromedical purposed, painted in red Air Ambulance colours. |
| Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin | VH-PVD | 6846 | 2009 | 2009 | |
| Eurocopter EC135 T2+ Eurocopter EC135 The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules .-Development:... |
VH-PVE | 0834 | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Model | Registration | Serial No. | Year Built | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero Commander 500 type | 1975 - ? | ||||
| Aero Commander 500 type | 1975 - ? | ||||
| Aérospatiale SA365C1 Dauphin 2 | VH-PVF | 5042 | 1979 - 2002 | First Air Wing helicopter. In private hands, with plans for restoration. | |
| Aérospatiale SA365C1 Dauphin 2 | VH-PVA | 5025 | 1986 - 2010 | ||
| Aérospatiale SA365C1 Dauphin 2 | VH-PVK | 5033 | 1986 - 2001 | Donated to CQ Rescue, Queensland. Withdrawn 2010. | |
| Aérospatiale AS350BA Squirrel | VH-PVM | 2058 | 1987 | 1988 - 2010 | |
Similar Australian units
- New South Wales Police Force - Police Aviation Support Branch
- Northern Territory Police - Air Wing
- Queensland Police Service - Police Air Wing
- Western Australia Police - Police Air Wing
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