Basic Level Pilots

Basic Level Pilots are the core of NPAS, and undertake both surveillance duties as well as pursuit overwatch in order to support wider policing activities across Los Santos. Basic Level Pilots will wear the NPAS Crew uniform. We also have a Cam Op uniform (which can be used by probies) as well as our older version.

Eligibility: 

• PC+. An interest form must be completed here and you will be contacted by an NPAS Trainer to complete your training, or you can ask an NPAS trainer via the NPAS channel. 

• Been a PC for at least 14 days. 

• Have a Pilots Licence.

UC Competent & Solo Flight Authorised Pilots

Following successful completion of the UC theory test which can be found here, you will be contacted by a member of NPAS Command to confirm if you have passed or failed. There is a pass mark of 80% (8/10). Once passed, NPAS Command will confirm that you can now use NPAS's UC Assets. The UC Policy can be found below. Solo is attached to UC, so if you are one, you are also the other. As a solo certified pilot you show complete competence that you can control NPAS assets by yourself and are trusted to conduct NPAS duties alone if needed. Once certified, you can operate NPAS-71 and UC assets single crewed without prior approval but must follow standard operating procedures. New joint training coming soon...

Eligibility:

• Been a basic pilot for at least 30 days

• Conducted the UC Theory Test & pass

• Received direct authorisation by NPAS/Frontline Command

Whilst new training is being made, NPAS Command will deal with applications on a case by case basis for completion.

*NPAS Command/Response Command/ Advanced trainer can grant temporary Solo Flight authorisation to any Basic level pilot+.

*UC/Solo Flight Certification can be removed from an individual by NPAS/Response Command at any time

Advanced Level Pilots

• Advanced Level Pilots perform all the duties of Basic Level Pilots, whilst also taking on more challenging operations of NPAS assets, including the transport and tactical insertions of policing assets in high stress and dynamic situations. Advanced Level Pilots will wear the same NPAS crew uniform, but will be tailored to present three shoulder bars.

Eligibility:

• Basic Pilot for a minimum of 30 days

• Be competent as a pilot and have regular flying hours

• You can fill out an interest form here, to register interest

• Names can be put forward by NPAS Trainers/Frontline Command to be considered as an advanced pilot

• You will be contacted by NPAS Command if you're selected, once selected, you will be invited to complete the Advanced training course.

Once an interest is put in, you can ask an Advanced trainer+ to take you out so you can practice flying 99.

Expert Pilots

• Expert Pilots are trained to the point they can undertake any task in any helicopter the LSPS has within it's arsenal. These pilots are the best of the best in the police and demonstrate exceptional skill, precision and tactics whilst flying an aircraft. Once you gain this rank, you are given the luxury of flying any helicopter solo, and make use of the UC Buzzard with its callsign, Pegasus-1. You will be called up for the highest risk operations and work with CTSFO's, getting them to where they need to be as well as extraction if needed. You also get given a helmet with fitted mandible, which provides armour to the wearer.

Eligibility:

• Been an advanced pilot for 30+ days.

• Be active as 71 & 99.

• Show top tier abilities when conducting NPAS duties.

• You will be had picked by current Expert pilots and/or NPAS Command.

Flight Instructors

• The Flight Instructors of NPAS are responsible for the training of new police officers in the operation of NPAS assets, as well as the training of existing officers in advanced flight techniques.They also ensure that NPAS assets are being used properly on a day-to-day basis. Trainers will wear the uniform relevent to their pilot trained level. 

Basic Trainer Eligibility:

• Be a Basic Pilot for at least 30 days

• Demonstrate regular flying hours and ongoing competency

• Observe at least 1 Basic NPAS Training

• Show interest to existing NPAS Trainers / Response Command for selection

Advanced Trainer Eligibility:

• Be a Basic Trainer and have conducted at least 3 trainings

• Observed at least 1 Advanced Training

• Be an Advanced Pilot for at least 30 days

• Demonstrate regular flying hours and total competence with both aircraft

• Make it known that you wish to become an Advanced Trainer to NPAS Command

• Selected by NPAS Command

NPAS Callsigns are as follows, for most members, the only helicopters they will fly are NPAS-71 & NPAS-72

NPAS-71 - The most used, day to day surveillance airframe, this is the callsign all basic trained pilots will use.

NPAS-72 - The secondary surveillance aircraft. This will be used when NPAS-71 is currently in use but an additional NPAS asset is required or when NPAS-71 is out of action.

NPAS-73 - The training helicopter, and is only used by flight instructors and NPAS Command, this helicopter is only to be used for training unless authorised by NPAS Command/Frontline Command

NPAS-74 & 75 - These are reserve callsigns in the catastrophic event that all three previous callsigns (71, 72 & 73) have been declared a total loss.

NPAS-UC This is to be used when operating the NPAS UC Assets.

NPAS-99 - Our specialist operations helicopter, and the least used, this helicopter is only to be flown if authorised by NPAS Command for Specialist Operations missions. This is also known as the EH-60.

Section 1 - Deployment Regulations

1. Pre-Authorised Operation
   
   - There will be operations set out by NPAS or Police command which will require the EH-60. In these cases NPAS and Police command will discuss the operation and if the EH-60 is required. If it is, It will be authorised to be used by NPAS Command, Frontline Command or Police Command and is then only to be flown by Advanced Trained Pilots.

2. Tactical Firearms Insertion (Non Operation)

- In the case where Firearms need to be tactically moved into a position to provide support and the current situation is not a pre-authorised operation, the EH-60 can be considered for use.

- These situations are under Advanced Trained Pilot discretion but are on a list of “acceptable uses” of the EH-60. The requirements for the EH-60 to be used in such a situation are as follows. There must be a safe landing / repelling location for the Firearms officers; the situation must require the insertion of firearms instead of just driving into the situation. An example of the previous point is if the combatants are holding the only entrance with weapons and the threat to life is too significant, so Firearms need to be placed on the roof. Other factors should also be considered by the pilot, such as the previous interactions with these groups and the threat to crew and asset safety. In addition to this, The pilot may contact Firearms command or TFC/OFC to consider other options and make sure the threat to NPAS is not too great.

3. Medical Evacuations (Non Operation)

- During the Non Operational use of the EH-60, It may be considered to be used for medical evacuations under certain circumstances. It is to be remembered that NPAS is NOT a taxi and should only be requested and then used for this in the most extreme cases. Some examples of reasonable instances are as follows; The situation is too dangerous for Heli Med but has been cleared for a possible landing of the EH-60 to collect wounded individuals (The area would have to be secured by Firearms officers).  Heli Med is not available, and there is a Mass Casualty situation where multiple officers have been seriously injured and need immediate transport to hospital. In this situation, AFO or other Medically trained officers would be required to fly with the injured officers to maintain medical treatment during transportation due to the seriousness of their injuries.

4. Prisoner Transport

- Prison transport is the last item on the list due to it being the least common occurrence. NPAS is NOT to be used to transport prisoners unless strict conditions are met, and it is deemed absolutely necessary. 

There are strict conditions in place for NPAS to transport prisoners to ensure crew, prisoner, and asset safety. If transport is at all possible on the ground, that should always be the first option and therefore should be relayed to ground units. If ground transport is not possible with Firearms and Gruppe Sechs, then the consideration to use NPAS can start. Firstly the threat transport needs to justify the crime; if the individual is going to prison for less than 60 Months, an NPAS transport is not justifiable as the offence committed does not justify the use of NPAS. The next consideration is the threat to crew & asset safety. If the PD is currently surrounded by armed individuals attempting to break out the prisoner who are likely to shoot at NPAS then NPAS will NOT be used as the armed individuals could easily shoot down the EH-60 during take-off.  The take-off area and surrounding roads/buildings need to be clear for NPAS to make a safe take-off.  Next is air space; if there has been the use/credible threat of hostile aircraft, again NPAS will NOT be used. During the flight, it is down to the pilot and co-pilot to spot possible ground threats and actively avoid them, e.g. hostiles gathering on the Los Santos/Senora Freeway to intercept a convoy as they may be armed and shoot the Helicopter. The final stage is the landing, the prison must be secured at the time of landing, and like the take-off, there must be NO hostiles in the area that could shoot NPAS on landing. This would preferably be done by Firearms but may be done by armed Gruppe Sechs if multiple are available. Once the prisoners are off-loaded from the EH-60, they are to be moved into the prison and placed into a cell, and the accompanying AFOs must return to the EH-60 as soon as the prisoners are sentenced to allow NPAS to leave again. The crew will radio to ensure the situation around the prison has not changed. If the area is still clear, NPAS will leave and return immediately to the PD.

- Prisoner transports, however uncommon, are high stake and high risk. In the situation of a transport, there must be AT LEAST 1 AFO per prisoner. Prisoners must be in the back two seats and secured by the firearms officer by first strapping them into the chair and then handcuffing them to the middle seat head bar (the Middle seat is unusable). The AFOs will take the two outer seats; NPAS pilots will take the remaining two cockpit seats.

- In a situation where the EH-60 is getting actively shot at during a transport, the pilot is to make a dynamic decision on the best location to return to (a Police Station Helipad/Prison). If the shooters follow NPAS to prison, NPAS is NOT to land if there is a threat of being shot while doing so. In addition to this, AFOs are to stay with their prisoners at all times, meaning AFOs cannot be deployed(rappel) away from the landing spot of the EH-60.

- The primary situation where NPAS could be used to transport to prison is where multiple attempts have been made to transport said prisoner(s), but convoys have been attacked too many times, or previous encounters with the prisoners acquaintances have left multiple officers injured and/or dead. If the transport is about to start again and there is a credible threat, another ambush may happen while on the route, NPAS can then be considered. If NPAS or a ground unit can verify the threat and it is safe to take off, NPAS can transport the prisoner(s) going WEST of the freeway, avoiding being spotted by the possible ambush on the highway. NPAS would be in CONSTANT communication with ground units at the prison to ensure a safe landing.

- Finally, in addition to all the previously mentioned points, the pilot should seek the opinion of TFC/OFC to understand better the possible firearms threat to see if it is safe for the NPAS crew and assets. In addition to that, to know if they deem it necessary, in their opinion, for the prisoner to be transported Via NPAS. Remember this just an opinion, NPAS Command has the final say in the authorisation of the EH-60

Section 2 - Usage Regulations 

1. Advanced Pilot Training

- The EH-60 is only to be used by advanced trained pilots.

2. Fast Rope
   
   - There are some known issues with Fast Roping; please ensure that all Firearms officers can Fast Rope before entering an active situation.
   
   

3. Medical Evacuations

- During a medical evacuation, there must be one first aid trained officer per injured individual; if they are injured enough to warrant transport, they will require one-on-one medical help. Once NPAS approaches the Medical Helipad, an announcement must be made over the radio to ensure no other NHS aircraft interfere with the landing.

4. Prisoner Transport

- Prisoner Transports require, at a minimum, a one-to-one ratio of prisoners to AFOs. Each AFO is “attached” to one prison and is responsible for their health and imprisonment.

5. Landing/Repelling Location

- If firearms are being transported, the pilot needs to ensure the landing area is safe and has possible evacuation points if a quick escape is necessary. The pilot also needs to make sure the Repelling location is clear and that there is no immediate threat as the EH-60 needs to stay still whi1le the Firearms officers are repelling.

6. Passenger Injury

- In the case that a passenger, whether that is a Firearms Officer, or NPAS Member or Prisoner, officers on board must give basic medical attention to them immediately. An assessment by the officer giving first aid must be passed to the pilot on if they require hospital (NPAS is not to land at the hospital unless it falls under S1(3) ).  Units on the helicopter should radio ahead to the NHS to have them on standby at the landing location.

7. EH-60 Damage (Shots)

- If the EH-60 Sustains damage from gunfire, it is to pull away to a safe distance as soon as it is safe (Let repelling Firearms officers finish). It is the pilots' job to ensure the helicopter does not sustain significant damage. In the case of high calibre weapons being used, the aircraft must be taken back to a safe distance and possibly have to leave the situation entirely. The pilot needs to ensure their and their co-pilots' lives are not in danger and that the helicopter is not in immediate danger of being shot down. In the situation of high calibre gunfire towards NPAS, the EH-60 is to be grounded immediately.

8. EH-60 Damage (Flying)

- If during flight, the EH-60 is damaged while flying, this could occur in multiple ways. The helicopter is to be returned to Mission Row when possible to receive repairs. Only once the EH-60 is fully operational again is it to be used in any capacity.

9. Refuelling

-The EH-60 should only be refuelled at Fort Zancudo. This ensures asset security and a controlled environment for safe refuelling, Under no circumstance should it be refuelled at locations other than Zancudo.

-When a Counter Terrorism Officer (CT) is onboard with the Operations Rifle (OPS Rifle), The EH-60 should drop the CT with the OPS rifle at a overlooking/advantageous location and to ensure security of the asset and officer. 

1.1 Definition

A UC/Surveillance Helicopter is defined as being a personally/police owned helicopter without any visible police markings on both the aircraft and crew. Callsign to be used is NPAS-UC.

1.2 Purpose

• To gather intelligence for police operations and investigations.

• To surveillance an ongoing incident from afar without being recognisable as being police

• Not to be used for “General NPAS Patrol”

1.3 Pilot Criteria

• Must have at least Basic NPAS Training with a valid Aircraft Licence.

• Must be 30+ days as a basic pilot.

• Must be familiar with the San Andreas Rules and Offences of the Air Regulation Act 2023. 

• You must have completed the UC/Surveillance theory test.

• You must have gained authorisation and approval by NPAS/Response Command or PolCom to be able to operate using this policy. 

1.4 Aircraft Criteria

• It MUST be a Helicopter only.

• The Helicopter can be personally owned or provided by Response Command

• You MUST NOT “steal” any helicopters.

• Must not be a form of combat or military style Helicopter.

• Response Command have Helicopters that can be used for the purpose of this policy.

Swift & Sea Sparrow: 

• This can be used for things like checking on hunting, fishing, containers and general tracking of people but in terms of the 'large scale gang activities' criteria A & B below is fulfilled:

A) Not enough police around to deal with it on the ground, in which case it can be used to gain intel to action later

B) No one able to deploy the CID Drone available to collect the intel in an otherwise more effective and less risky way

*The only exception to this deployment criteria is if Rule 1.7 in the UC Helicopter policy has been authorised to allow officers to be 'hot dropped'

Havok:

The Havok is a single seater, ultra-light helicopter capable of extremely agile and precise maneuvers, as well as being a great tool for stealth observations. This aircraft can only be flown by pilots who have their UC certification AND permanent solo authorisation.

1.5 Using force

• Under no circumstances whilst using this policy should a UC/Surveillance Helicopter be identified as a Police asset, or be known to be flown by police officers for a policing purpose to anyone other than police officers employed by the Los Santos Police Service

• Police are not to actively engage in combat by any means whilst operating under this policy, unless it is necessary to save your own life and that of the crew onboard and the threat is ongoing. Any incident of using force whilst in a UC/Surveillance Helicopter MUST be reported to NPAS/Frontline Command

• Officers are authorised to carry their normal unit patrol gear if necessary, depending on the deployment objectives

1.6 Exemptions

The key difference to using an aircraft under the NPAS division of the Police compared to personal use is that you have certain exemptions afforded to you with the San Andreas Rules and Offences of the Air Regulation Act 2023.

Whenever exemptions are used, you must be confident that you can clearly demonstrate and justify the necessity. Pilots will be wholly held accountable for their actions. This policy covers the following exemptions from sections:

• 3 & 4 - Low Flying Prohibitions

• 11 - Landing and Taking Off

• 14 - Minimum Height

1.7 Other usages

Depending on the situation and your judgement using the NDM, this policy can also be used to:

• “Hot Drop” officers into a strategic location if there is a requirement for a covert approach. This can only be completed by Advanced trained pilots as per the Advanced training Protocol and must be authorised by TFC/OFC, NPAS/Frontline Command or PolCom.

1.8 Miscellaneous

• Officers can be revoked from being able to benefit from this policy by NPAS/Frontline Command and PolCom, without reason or notice. 

• Any notable incidents MUST be reported to NPAS/Frontline Command, including misuse of the asset/force.

• Misuse of this policy and/or a UC/Surveillance asset will lead to disciplinary actions and/or dismissal

• If you are present during a police situation, you MUST identify yourself on the radio to officers on the ground/NPAS so that they are aware you are police.