UK’s police pilots get specialist training from Scone
Police pilots based in England and Wales have been getting training from experts based in Scone.
The National Police Air Service’s (NPAS) fixed-wing pilots have been keeping their skills sharp by getting training from ACS Aviation, based at Perth Airport.
The service has just received four new Vulcanair P68R aircrafts, however they cannot start training in them until NPAS gets the right certification for them.
In the meantime, the trainee pilots have been clocking in the hours needed in ACS Aviation’s DA42 Diamond Twinstar fleet, which allowed them to continue flying and training as they prepare to go operational.
Craig McDonald, technical director at ACS Aviation, said:“We are committed to supporting and developing our ongoing relationship with the National Police Air Service.
“Our agreement with NPAS is a testament to ACS Aviation’s ability and commitment to provide our customers and partners with the most comprehensive aviation solutions.”
The NPAS provides borderless air support to all police forces in England and Wales from 14 different bases, working to keep The Diamond Twinstar aircraft based at Perth Airport
communities safe and respond to tasks which pose the highest risk to communities.
The aircraft leased from Perth Airport is a twin engine and is fully equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics, which is similar to the Vulcanair aircraft the crew will be using on the job, allowing them to familiarise themselves with the systems and operating
procedures.
Captain Paul Watts, chief pilot for NPAS, said:“It’s essential our fixed-wing pilots retain their flying currency, including vital instructor ratings, while we await air worthiness and police operational certification.
“Using a leased aircraft has allowed us to do that.
“Pilots have been flying from NPAS Doncaster, which is where our new aircraft will deploy from in support of police forces across England and Wales.”
This is not the first time ACS Aviation has leased out is fleet for training, having participated in similar arrangements with government agencies such as NHS Air Ambulance and the UK Civil Air Patrol.