Air Traffic Question Answered
Saturday, May 26, 2012 @ 5:11 AM
Prince George, B.C. – No the RCMP does not have a fleet of aircraft buzzing the airspace above Prince George on weekends.
A number of queries have come in to Opinion 250 over the past week about the small planes and helicopters circling the city on the Victoria Day weekend. In all probability the planes were private craft being flown on a long weekend by people who like to fly. There was only one police aircraft, a helicopter, flying here last weekend. Corporal Craig Douglass says the chopper, based in Kamloops, was here for routine police duties. He says it’s a tool the RCMP has at its disposal from time to time. He says members can request the use of the helicopter for specific things, such as aerial photos of places of interest, infrared shots of possible marijuana grow operations, or for assistance in traffic duties. Cpl. Douglass says nothing of significance resulted from its use in Prince George.
The helicopter spends approximately 70% of its time in northern B.C., but that takes in a huge area. As a matter of fact it was on its way to aid in the Willow River boating accident and search earlier this month but turned around and headed for home after the second victim of that accident was located.
The RCMP has a Kodiak single prop float plane-hybrid based in Prince George. It can be used on lakes and also lands on runways. As well, the police have a personnel transfer plane based here for flights between Prince George and the lower mainland. Cpl Douglass says that craft is used almost daily and saves a significant amount of money over the cost of booking flights on commercial aircraft.
Comments
“Cpl Douglass says that craft is used almost daily and saves a significant amount of money over the cost of booking flights on commercial aircraft.”
Yeah, right.
Where do I start, on the costs?
-cost of the plane
-navigational aids, communication
-cost of maintenance
-pilot ( s )
-mechanics/engineers
-hangar, hangar personel
Just objecting to the smouldering bullshit smoke screen from Corporal Douglass, comparing the cost to commercial flights.
I believe that the RCMP need to have their own wings, available exclusively on their own schedule, no question.
metalman.
The RCMP have 2 planes based here, not sure if the second is the hybrid they are talking about. Almost daily is an understatement, I have been working up at the airport lately and that plane does not stop moving. Not sure where it goes but 4 or 5 take offs and landings a day were quite common.
In other news, the police use cars to patrol the streets and attend crime scenes. Or should they just take the bus or call a cab? ;-)
Metelman, figures, lets see the data.
not every plane needs its own mechanic, there are companies that will do all that stuff for you.
I find the planes the fly low and circle overhead when one is out on the river is a huge infringement of ones privacy.
Interceptor, seamutt, Ruez, you guys are missing the point I tried to make.
metalman.
I get it metalman. That was a smokescreen.
You forgot landing fees.
point?
Nah, I know what you are getting at metalman. Your last sentence shows that you agree. I’m just being a smartazz. Shocking for me, I know :-)
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