Ongoing Projects in Aviation Technology
NIJ is now evaluating several aviation technologies:
Powered Parachute
A powered parachute is similar to a small gocart with a parachute attached. It carries a pilot and an observer, can be launched on any terrain, and requires a launching area of approximately 100 yards. Officers can learn to operate the device safely with less than 20 hours of training.
The powered parachute costs about $18,000, or about half the price of a patrol car.
Officers report that the parachute has been a valuable tool in searches for missing persons and in locating marijuana cultivation. They have also used it to chase and capture suspects, aid drug raids, monitor hot spots, and take aerial photographs of critical infrastructure.
Light Sport Aircraft
Light sport fixed-wing aircraft are small planes, typically with a single (100 hp) engine. They carry a pilot and observer, fly between 30 and 150 mph, and cost less than $100,000.
The Columbia County, Georgia, Sheriff's Office is participating in an NIJ-funded evaluation of light sport aircraft. The Sheriff's Office and seven other agencies use the plane over a five-county area. Preliminary results of the evaluation suggest that the aircraft has been useful in missing persons searches and in tracking, identifying, and capturing suspects in robberies.
Aviation Cameras
Cameras with GPS devices affixed to an aircraft are particularly useful when law enforcement officers are scouting for marijuana fields or need to examine a hostage situation before entering the area. Cameras can also be used to take aerial photographs of critical infrastructure such as schools and power plants.
GPS-enhanced aviation cameras can take pictures or videos that show the coordinates of a location. These cameras also have a pan-tilt-zoom feature that allows the camera to move right and left, up and down, and zoom in and out to view objects closer or farther away.
NIJ is evaluating cameras that can send information from an aircraft to a patrol car and will cost less than $15,000.
For updates on the Aviation Technology program, contact Mike O'Shea at michael.oshea@usdoj.gov.