Standard Operating Procedures

The Air Services Division (ASD) of the Sheriff's Office is committed to enhancing public safety across San Andreas by providing aerial support to ground operations. Certified deputies deliver advanced surveillance, pursuit assistance, and tactical coordination, ensuring the protection of lives, property, and freedoms from above while fostering trust and security.

To be eligible for ASD Certification, deputies must:

• Hold the rank of Deputy Sheriff or higher within the Sheriff's Office.

• Be in good standing with no recent disciplinary actions.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Sheriff's Office operational protocols, including vehicle operations and use-of-force standards. Certification may be revoked by the Chain of Command for violations of Sheriff's Office policies or conduct unbecoming a deputy, with an appeals process available.

To enroll:

1. Review this section of the SOP in full.

2. Submit the ASD Certification Application Form to the Professional Standards Division and await determination.

3. Complete the supervised training process outlined in Section 6.1.6.

4. Await Chain of Command approval; status will be updated on the Sheriff's Office roster.

The Air Services Division Certification enables deputies to operate Sheriff's Office aircraft, providing critical aerial support for pursuits, search and rescue, surveillance, and tactical operations across San Andreas. Certified deputies enhance ground efforts with real-time intelligence and coordination, reflecting the Sheriff's commitment to leadership and community service.

ASD-certified deputies may deploy for:

• Routine Patrol: Proactive overwatch of high-crime areas, highways, or special events.

• Pursuits: Tracking fleeing suspects in vehicles or on foot.

• Search and Rescue (SAR): Locating missing or injured persons.

• Surveillance: Supporting investigations with Chain of Command authorization.

• Tactical Support: Assisting SWAT or high-risk operations.

• Mutual Aid: Supporting allied agencies upon request.

Certification requires:

1. Application Review: Submit to Professional Standards Division for Chain of Command approval.

2. Supervised Flight: Minimum 1-hour flight with a certified ASD deputy, including:

   • 30 minutes as Flight Officer (FO) piloting the aircraft.

   • 30 minutes as Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) managing systems.

3. Evaluation: Chain of Command assesses performance and grants certification.

1. Flight Officer (FO) Training:

   • Master take-off, landing, and navigation in diverse terrains.

   • Simulate pursuit tracking of fleeing suspects.

2. Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) Training:

   • Operate FLIR, night vision, and radio systems.

   • Conduct preflight checks per Sheriff's Office protocols.

ASD deputies utilize:

• Uniforms: Green flight suit with Sheriff's Office patches and approved aviation helmet. Ground duties require standard Sheriff's uniforms.

• Aircraft:

  • Littlebird

    • Spawn Name: SOAIR2

    • Uses: Tactical, Pursuit, Patrol

    • Crew Requirement: Solo by certified pilot

  • Bell 412

    • Spawn Name: SOAIR1

    • Uses: Patrol, SAR, Medivac

    • Crew Requirement: Pilot + Co-Pilot/Observer

  • Cessna

    • Spawn Name: soplane1

    • Uses: Patrol, SAR, Pursuit

    • Crew Requirement: Pilot + Co-Pilot/Observer

• Drones: The Sheriff's Office partners with the Police Department for all drone-related incidents.

• MD 500: May be flown solo by a certified pilot.

• Bell 412: Requires a pilot and co-pilot/observer.

• Cessna: Requires a pilot and co-pilot/observer.

• All crew must be in the same Sheriff's Office communication channel.

• Notify dispatch with "COUNTY AIR [number] airborne." or "COUNTY EAGLE 1 airborne."

• Only 1 type of aircraft may be used at a time.

  • Ex. 1 Huey, 1 plane, 1 Littlebird. Cannot use 2 or more of the same aircraft however all the TYPES of aircraft can be utilized at the same time.

  • You must coordinate with the other aircraft to prevent air collisions.

• Life Flight/Medical Assists

  • All medical flights must be conducted in the Bell 412(AIR 01)

    • Medical flights in the MD 500 can be authorized by supervisors in times of unusual or compelling urgency.

• Activation Locations:

  • Helicopters

    • Any Sheriffs Office station with a helipad

  • Planes

    • Any fully operational airport with a paved runway

• Helicopter: "COUNTY AIR [number]" (e.g., "COUNTY AIR 10"). Max one aircraft per county.

• FO Example: "Smith J. SO-150 COUNTY AIR 10/FO"

• TFO Example: "Smith J. SO-150 COUNTY AIR 10/TFO"

• Cessna: "COUNTY EAGLE 1"

• Primary Jurisdiction: San Andreas, covering all Sheriff's Office territories.

• Self-Attachment: Permitted for priority calls with dispatch notification.

• Mutual Aid: Assist allied agencies with Chain of Command approval unless immediate action is required.

• No minimum altitude mandated, but pilots must prioritize safety per local airspace rules and Sheriff's judgment.

• Ground aircraft during severe weather (e.g., thunderstorms, heavy fog).

• Chain of Command may override refusals to fly if mission-critical.

6.1.13.1 Emergency Landings

• If it becomes necessary to conduct an emergency landing, the below steps will be followed to ensure the safety of aircraft crew and equipment.

  • If power to the main rotor is lost, utilize FAA Chapter 11 Page 2 instructions to initiate autorotation.

  • Locate the nearest area clear of pedestrians and obstructions to conduct your landing.

    • Parks, fields, or other non-wooded/rocky outdoor spaces.

    • Courtyards, large yards, or other privately owned property.

  • Broadcast MAYDAY on air traffic and law enforcement frequencies.

    • Include your location, direction of travel, and identified landing location.

  • Shutdown after landing and evacuate aircraft.

6.1.13.2 Emergency Situations

• All pilots, prior to taking off should formulate an emergency action plan based on the below guidance, taking into account risk factors related to the call type.

  • • Shots fired at the helicopter.

      • Handguns/Flares

        • Raise the helicopter beyond 1500 feet, if maintaining visual is practical at this altitude; or

        • Return to base; or

        • Make an informed decision, favoring the safety of aircraft crew and equipment, to remain on scene.

      • Rifles

        • Return to base; or

        • Make an informed decision, favoring the safety of aircraft crew and equipment, to remain on scene.

    • Engine Failure

      • Follow emergency landing procedure IAW S.O.P. 6.1.13.1.

    • Object Strike

      • Assess aircraft controllability

      • Return to base if aircraft is flying in a way conducive to safe flight IAW S.O.P. 6.1.12.

      • If aircraft controllability is lost, conduct an emergency landing IAW S.O.P. 6.1.13..

    • Spatial Disorientation

      • Disorientation presents as a loss of visual on the horizon, conflicting visual cues, and typically occurs in low visibility situations such as night operations or inclement weather.

        • Utilize instrument flight rules to orientate yourself. It is important that you trust these instruments.

        • Once orientated with your instruments, apply power and stabilize, the higher your altitude, the more time you have to react in an emergency.

    • Whiteout/Brownout

      • Certain weather conditions such as snow or ground conditions such as dust can preclude vision for a pilot in command.

        • Brownout:

          1. Abort landing and gain altitude.

          2. Climb until visual reference.

        • Whiteout:

          1. Reduce speed and increase altitude.

          2. Utilize GPS and instruments to either return to base or an airfield equipped with an FAA certified airfield lighting system.

    • Communications failure

      • Attempt to use a backup or handheld radio if available.

      • Return to base.

• Route to nearest heliport or air field if malfunction occurs.

• Broadcast "COUNTY [unit and number], Mayday" with location.

• Crashes due to negligence may trigger disciplinary action.

• Submit optional reports to Professional Standards Division post-mission.

• Log details alongside standard patrol logs.

ASD deputies are accountable for Sheriff's Office assets and must adhere to all operational standards. Violations, such as misuse of aircraft or failure to follow Chain of Command orders, may result in disciplinary actions ranging from reprimands to certification revocation by the Chain of Command.