Flight Division

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From above, between the clouds, we secure, support, and serve - one flight at a time.

The Flight Division is a certification unit established on August 4, 2024 within the Unified Police Department. It manages certification and training of helicopter pilots.

General Description[]

The Flight Division encompasses the certification and training of all pilots within the Los Santos Police Department and Blaine County Sheriff's Office. It is led by Bay Weather.

The air certification is available to all law enforcement officers who have attained the rank of Officer+ (or equivalent). Earning the certification grants officers clearance to pilot PD Helicopters (known as Air-1) on calls and pursuits.

The Flight Division currently owns only a single PD Helicopter between both departments, though efforts are ongoing to purchase two more.

SOPs[]

Approved Calls[]

The following is a list of calls on which Air-1 is allowed to be used.

Robbery of the Maze Bank
Robbery of an Ammunation Crate
Drug Trafficking
Street Racing
Search and Rescue
Any officer involved shooting
Shootouts / Holdouts
Large-scale casualty events including gang related shootings
Riot control for large events
Large scale raids when authorized by a Sergeant+ or an Air Lead
Violent Warrant Apprehension
Kidnapping of a Government Employee (On or Off Duty, including PD, DOJ, EMS, and the Mayor's Office)

Air-2 may be approved for situations in which a suspect is operating a helicopter.

Priority System[]

The priority system determines which pilots are prioritized to Air-1. It goes as follows:

The pilot is within their shift and have not flown yet - High Priority
The pilot is within their shift and has already flown today - Medium Priority
The pilot is not within their shift - Low Priority

This order can be overridden for pilots in training with a Field Training Instructor or for pre-planned operations.

Pursuits and Searches[]

Air-1 is extremely valuable during pursuits both in vehicles and on foot. Air-1 will have priority communications at all times in calling things out. Pilots have an overview of scenes and can see where there are gaps. Pilots will be responsible for directing units on the ground for where to parallel and where it is easiest to catch the suspect off guard.

The copilot is responsible for anything the pilot cannot see. They have access to a camera and thermals which are essential in identifying individuals day and night.

Refueling Stations[]

Mission Row Police Department Rooftop
Crusade Medical Rooftop (only during hospital lockdowns)
Civilian Docks
LSIA Hanger
Sandy Shores Airfield
Grapeseed Airfield

Training and Hiring[]

Law enforcement officers wanting to earn their Flight Certification must meet the following requirements:

Be the rank of Officer / Deputy or above.
Be in good standing with their respective department.
Show a high quality of communication, radio etiquette, and scene control.
Obtain the Copilot Cert.
Show interest in becoming a part of this department to a command member.

Aspiring pilots are encouraged to first prioritize becoming a great copilot first. It is important to familiarize themselves with seeing the city from above, and learn to communicate without being able to see road names. It is mandatory to get the copilot cert before one is able to become a pilot.

Hiring Process[]

1. LEO meets the requirements above

2. LEO approaches a Senior+ and puts in their interest

3. Command and Air Leads approve or deny the request

4. LEO is hired into the department as a Trainee Copilot

5. LEO passes and obtains copilot cert

6. Officer is hired into the unit as a Trainee

7. Training begins to certify the Trainee into a Fully Certified Pilot

Guidelines[]

Pilots are expected to repair and refuel the helicopter after every use. Repeated failure to do so without proper cause will result in certification removal.

Air-1 can only be taken out for practice for active pilots in training when there are no priority calls. Practice is only performed at LSIA or Zancudo Air Base unless the trainee pilot has an Air Lead with them.

Air-1 is not for negotiation in any situation.

Flight certification is a privilege, not a right. Misusing Air-1 will result in certification being revoked.

Training Guidelines[]

Training and certifying pilots is done in a five-stage process, and involves supervision by a Field Training Instructor (FTI). Each stage must be completed before a pilot can move on to the next. Once all five stages are complete, pilots are given a two week probationary period during which they may fly Air-1 on calls without the presence of an FTI. Following this probationary period, they are granted their Flight Certification.

Stage 0[]

Complete at least 5 copilot sessions
Become comfortable with comms from the air
Ask an FTI for mock pursuits to practice comms without compromising a pursuit + get the chance to receive instant feedback

Stage 1[]

Full comprehension of the Flight SOPs
Understand what to do if the helicopter crashes in different scenarios
Know refuel stations
Uniforms
Understand basic controls and nuances of the helicopter

Stage 2[]

LSIA Course
- Focus on control. Staying between the lines, smooth piloting.
Zancudo Figure 8s
- Focus on control. Helicopter nose facing inside while maneuvering through the Figure 8s.

Stage 3[]

Canals Course
- Focus on not ocean dumping oneself.
Zancudo Swamps Course
- Focus on not crashing.

Stage 4[]

Situational Awareness
Evasive Maneuvers

Stage 5[]

Pursuit training in mock FTL (Follow the Leader) while doing comms
Focus on predicting where suspects will go, not following roads, and calling out parallel positions for ground units
Pilots in training can ask an FTI to join them in the air and pilot for a pursuit

Certified Pilots[]

LSPD[]

Name	Badge #	UPD Rank	Flight Division Rank
Albert King	245	Sergeant	Air Lead
Mackenzie Hayes	266	Officer	Air Lead
Skye Faye	222	Captain	Certified Pilot
Anita May	250	Officer	Certified Pilot
Opal Pryce	465	Officer	Certified Pilot
Abigail Hughes	206	Officer	Trainee
Avery Stone	219	Senior Officer	Trainee
Jackson Decker	229	Sergeant	Trainee
Erik TryGG	400	Senior Officer	Trainee
Dan Fischer	459	Officer	Trainee

BCSO[]

Name	Badge #	UPD Rank	Flight Division Rank
Bay Weather	302	Sergeant	Air Head
Kian McNulty	333	Deputy	Air Lead
Jeffrey Bones	300	Sheriff	Certified Pilot
Jimbo Sutton	303	Sergeant	Certified Pilot
Beric Johnson	335	Senior Deputy	Certified Pilot
Austin Bean	353	Sergeant	Certified Pilot
Ellis Pinzon	360	Sergeant	Certified Pilot
Matt Rhodes	390	Senior Deputy	Certified Pilot
Wade Bradford	307	Senior Deputy	Trainee
Crystal Clear	370	Senior Deputy	Trainee