Police Aviation has certainly come a long way in seventy or so years of existence. Today's modern police aircraft is equipped with the very latest in global positioning systems, microwave down linking equipment and heat seeking cameras (FLIR). Many will agree that police aviation has become an integral tool in law enforcement. Unfortunately, there are operational limitations that can hinder the efficient operations of police law enforcement units and can be frustrating for both ground personnel and aviators.

Maintenance

Before an aircraft begins flying, the pilot performs a complete and relatively detailed "pre-flight" inspection. This consists of checking key fluids, looking for any problems and/or discrepancies and in general, making sure the aircraft is in an airworthy condition and safe for flight. The inspection can take anywhere from a few minutes to one-half hour depending on the pilot and the complexity of the machine. Just imagine giving your own cars the same treatment! If a problem is found, the pilot must determine if it needs to be fixed immediately or can be deferred to after the flight. Aircraft are very fickle creatures and do require a lot of attention. If the problem must be corrected right away, the aircraft is grounded and cannot perform any missions.

Systems checks

Anytime an aircraft flies, the pilot is required to perform some systems checks before take-off. This can range from a simple check of the instruments and controls to a complex and complicated check assisted by computers. Once again, all systems must be working or the mission must be scrubbed. Many an aviator has felt immense frustration when an emergency call is received but a certain system fails the "systems check" and the aircraft cannot respond. Many times, the indicators are "false alarms" however they cannot be ignored and must be checked.

Weather

Although many of the law enforcement aircraft in service today have highly advanced and sophisticated navigation systems, most missions still require the pilots to be able to see the ground. Unfortunately, most navigation systems and the air navigation system are designed for airport to airport use. If the weather including heavy rain, fog or snow prohibits fair visibility, the mission must be aborted. In addition, thunderstorms and icing conditions would also cause a mission to be cancelled.

Air Traffic Control