◄ Low level over London
Although London’s police helicopters sometimes fly very low, for example during a chase, they normally operate at around 300 metros (1.000 ft.) to avoid noise nuisance and for safety reasons. Accurate navigation and meticulous attention to a>r traffic control procedures are vital as the local area contains approach lanes for Heathrow airport.
A Speed trapper ►
Using timing marks painted on the motorways, a Bell crew can instantly work out the precise speed of a car and arrange a roadblock.
-4 Police pilot
Polico helicopter pilots are actually employed by the Bristow company. Usually ex-military, they are trained m firearms and the use of the hdi – teie and thermal-imagnj systems. Conversion to the Bell 222 was undertaken in the USA
FACTS AND
► The lirst Scotland Yard aerial unit used an airship to observe the crowds at the 1923 Derby.
>• Just before the war, the Metropolitan Police were using Cierva autogyros.
>■ In trie 1970s police helicopters only carried an observer and a radio.
FIGURES
>• Tho Air Support Unit started «lying the Boll 222 in 1980.
> Tho holicoptors carry Nitosun searchlights, stabilised heli-tele TV cameras and infra-red cameras.
>■ The ‘Met’ always has one helicopter airborne over London in daylight hours-
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Bell 222A
Type: police patrol helicopter
Powerplanl: two 462-kW (620-hp) Lycoming LTS101-750C-1 turbosfufls
Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 m. p.n.|
Range: 523 km {325 rra | or 2 hours 30 minutes* endurance at economical cruising speed
Service ceiling: 6100 m (20.000 it)
Weights: empty 2204 kg (4.850 lb); loaded 3560 kg (7.832 lb.)
Accommodation: two pilots, two observers or up to six passengers Observers are equipped with searchlight, stabilised TV camera, infra rod. thermal imapng and video cameras
Dimensions: rotor diameter 12.12 m (40 ft I fuselage length 10.98 m (36 ft, I
height 3.51 m (12 ft.)
rotor disc area 115.29 m1 (1.240 sq ft,)
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The Bell 222 is an excellent choice lor a poltcc helicopter, having twin-engined clearance for work over crowded cities, and enough capacity to carry dog teams or special firearms officers if needed.
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Assignments are numerous and range from searching for missing persons with the infra-red system to covering convoys transporting important criminals to court. Most of this work involves diverting from routine patrols.
Be* hobcopfure liovu tnnttidnoffy boon ■xtuvpod will tw»i btoded nK»
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operating the powerful Nitesun searchlight litis continuation of personnel and equlpntenl makes the Hell 222 a highly effective crime-lighting machine
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PcAce Bel 222s ore powered by a o®r o* Lycomng LTS101-750C-1 turtxsftatte. y
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Tho 222 mny consists or a MtrtoM Strei O’ spar. will a honeycomb core oobexf it ослегео ГУ о фл&і-ЬЬп Skm
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Atihough hvtcoptnro ant гоїм» t«*1 лч taad-wme «rerun. Ifwy аго %Ы соnsdorohiy quicker man any imd-tuMd transport avalaWo m a oty A Beil 222 on patrol опт cotitrnl London can roach an mudoiil anywnero m the ilia metropolis « mmute*
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Jits r. s rsKsenger carrying ютвйглв* used to terry. teams to major rodents
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Excellent thoujii ttic Bell 22? •» «or moe« patrol duties, и •» a urge» and heavier мьсорпи man other t, pes «і use by police force* around me world because о» tins, fl usee того fuel and needs lo land lor roplemshmenr того often man oUwrwtsa lass napabe n’loctune*
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А steerable Nitesun searchlignt s fitted to the rear fuselage The am tx focused to cover a wv>o or narrow area
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Aitnough the Be* 222 • mam USA N to ootroi it con be pressed m» duty
•s a transport Tha helccpMrk aro ирооойу useful for spec uk duty seats, «uf. fi os heeittr armed ant. •хятолл teams, who con roach any mays* incidents with the mrwxim Otdeeiy.
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■ POLICE MOVE IN: The youths are approached and questioned by officers, while the hefccopter remains in a surveillance position in case the suspects floo
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Ш AN ARREST IS MADE: The suspects are found to bo carrying goods which may have boon stolen There aro now sufficient grounds for holding thorn, and they are arrested.
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■ GROUND UNITS CALLED: As the suspects take a shortcut through an mdustnal estate, tho itoiicoptCT directs ground-based police units to cut them oft.
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