Sheriff's Dept. Touts Operating Costs, Capabilities

California's Tulare County features lots of agriculture and recreational opportunities, but the sheriff now has a big-city asset available - a surveillance aircraft. The department has leveraged $20,616 in seized drug money to get a federal grant for about ten times that amount, and has used it to buy its own Flight Design CTLE, the law enforcement variant of the popular LSA.

The Fresno Bee reports that Captain Dave Williams introduced the plane Tuesday to law enforcement and fire department officials from around the county, who have been invited to call on its assistance at any time. Noting the economy of the Rotax-powered aircraft, he commented, "Instead of $500 an hour to fly, it's more like $35 an hour. It will do 95 percent of what a helicopter can do at one-tenth the cost."

Low-and-slow missions to spot and track criminals also benefit from a wing-mounted infrared camera and a spotlight with a range of one mile. One common expected mission is watching for thieves stealing water pumps from farms to salvage the copper. The plane entered service in August, and is credited with helping find a suspect hiding in an orange grove at night.

FMI: www.flightdesign.com/index.php?page=home&n=204&y=2011