Some California police officers to use LSAs for air-patrol
March 17, 2011, 03:02 pm
Police officers in Tulare County, California, have begun to use Light-Spot Aircraft to perform air patrol, according to the Visalia Times-Delta.
The Tulare County Sheriff Department captain David Williams chose the aircraft as a less expensive alternative to the helicopters typically used by the department, he told the news source.
Williams reportedly told the source that "a new helicopter can cost up to $500,000 - a lot of money, particularly in these tough economic times."
The department has ordered a Flight Design CTLS, which, according to the source, will allow them to perform the same flight orbits they would have in a helicopter, but with lower maintenance and fuel costs.
Police officers are not the only group opting for the more affordable LSAs. The aircraft have been serving as a less expensive foray into the aviation field, particularly since there are fewer training hours requirements in order to become authorized to fly them.
LSAs expanding opportunities to enter the aviation field may lead to busier general aviation airports and more aircraft in the sky, potentially increasing the risk of an accident. Pilots should ensure that they have pilot life insurance coverage, to provide for their families should they be involved in a fatal collision.
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