NCJ Number
14136
Journal
Journal of California Law Enforcement Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (JANUARY 1974) Pages: 131-139
Date Published
1974
Length
9 pages
Annotation
LIGHT, FIXED WING AIRCRAFT CAN PERFORM MOST POLICE ASSIGNMENTS EITHER AS WELL AS OR MUCH BETTER THAN HELICOPTERS AT A FRACTION OF THE COST.
Abstract
WHILE HELICOPTERS DO PERFORM A USEFUL FUNCTION IN POLICE AERIAL MOBILITY, THIS USEFULNESS IS PRIMARILY BASED ON THE UNIQUE CAPABILITY TO HOVER AND LAND IN REASONABLY RESTRICTED AREAS. THE ADVANTAGES OF FIXED WING AIRCRAFT FOR POLICE WORK INCLUDE GREATER LOAD CAPACITY, GREATER RANGE, LESS NOISE, LESS PILOT AND OBSERVER FATIGUE, AND FEWER OVERHAULS THAN HELICOPTERS. THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE IS IN THE OPERATING COST. HELICOPTERS IN THE STUDY COST $27.70 PER HOUR WHEREAS FIXED WING AIRCRAFT COST $7.74 PER HOUR.