Police using Gyrocopter in Houston Suburb to spy

[Fiatguy]

I usually don't post (just read) but I think this is important. I haven't seen this posted yet. In Tomball, TX, the police department received funds from the feds to buy a 2 person gyrocopter. They have had it for many months now. The cops use it to fly around tomball, looking in people's backyards and flying only a few hundred feet above. They look for code enforcement violations and other "illegal" activities. Since it so successful, other police departments will likely get it too - coming soon to an area near you. Just another example of homeland security providing weapons to local pd to take away our freedoms for our safety. You can scroogle "tomball police gyrocopter" for more information.

[Dogman]

http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/rotorhub/alea-2011-autogyro-debuts-in-the-sky-over-texas/9585/ALEA 2011: Autogyro debuts in the sky over Texas

July 22, 2011



The first US law enforcement autogyro is generating impressive results for the police department operating it, according to those familiar with the aircraft.


The Tomball Police Department in Texas have been using the German-built Auto-Gyro MTOsport autogyro since March on patrol missions above the city, north-west of Houston.


The machine is being used to patrol public events, follow vehicle pursuits and monitor critical infrastructure.
Don Plant of Harris County Sheriff's Office has flown the machine and says everyone is impressed with the aircraft.
'We have had congressmen, reporters and other police pilots up in this aircraft and they have all come away impressed,’ Plant said.
'It's ideal for police departments who are finding they cannot afford to run a helicopter but want to retain their air support unit.'
The cost of the autogyro comes in a $76,000 with hourly costs of around $45, including fuel and maintenance – a tiny fraction of the costs associated with a typical helicopter.


The aircraft is flown with a pilot up front and a tactical flight officer in the back who uses a zoom camera to see what is going on below, while a radio keeps them in touch with officers on the ground. The force is investigating the potential of fitting an EO/IR camera to the autogyro.


The autogyro was purchased through a Department of Justice (DOJ) aviation technology project, which is investigating low-cost options for law-enforcement aviation.


The DOJ provided $40,000 in funding to Tomball PD to buy the aircraft and also granted additional funding to train pilots and tactical flight officers training for the department's Air Support Unit.


The chief of Tomball PD, Chief Robert Hauck, is a former Los Angeles police officer who realised the benefits of air support in LA and wanted to bring them to Tomball.


'There was no way we could have afforded a helicopter,' explained Plant.


'Yes, it has its limitations, it limited to VFR operations and we can't fly at night, but citizens appreciate having an eye in the sky.'


The results of Tomball PD's operations with the autogyro will be studied by the DOJ over the coming months.

Tony Osborne, New Orleans


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6TzkJk_fM

[iOWNme]

Tomball PD gets training on new gyrocopter



http://www.ultimatetomball.com/photos/692-tomball-pd-gets-training-on-new-gyrocopter

http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9526/gyrocopter_9.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9524/gyrocopter_7.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9517/gyrocopter_14.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9515/gyrocopter_12.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9514/gyrocopter_11.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9523/gyrocopter_6.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9521/gyrocopter_4.jpg
http://img1.blockshopper.com/galleryomatic/0009/9527/gyrocopter.jpg




Members of the Tomball Police Department recently received a training session on how to fly their new gyrocopter at Hooks Airport in Spring.

Tomball police can use craft like the gyroplane for purposes ranging from drug enforcement to search-and-rescue operations.

The Department of Justice Law Enforcement Aviation Technology Program purchased the craft for $40,000. In return for the funding, Tomball police will help the DOJ program's research on the use of these craft.

Guido Scheidt, from left, of Koeln, Germany, and the representative of Auto Gyro North America, and Department of Public Safety Sgt. Scott Gee, of Magnolia, take a test flight in the TPD Gyrocopter during a training session at Hooks Airport in Spring. Gee is also a pilot for the DPS. Photo by Jerry Baker


These are soulless cowards who deserve what all TRAITORS to this country deserve. They have sworn an oath and then flushed it down the toilet. These are CRIMINALS of the highest magnitude.

[Glass]

So its a fair weather device then? I wonder what the maximum wind speed it can operate in is?

[Dogman]

One other thing too think about, they are very slow! And you can hear them coming from a looong way off.

But unless covered , fences are less than useless, all is reveled.

[osoab]

Now they just need their ladders so they crash into 2nd floor windows.

I see they already have the helmets.

Even though it is in Spanish there is nudity. What I am talking about is @ 7:55.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-fVKMVXoLQ&feature=relmfu


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-fVKMVXoLQ&feature=relmfu

[Ponce]

Good looking machine.......wait till they see my "SkyBike" in action, only for one person but it would cost only $25,000 of which $14,000 is pure profit................heyyyyyyyyy I have to make a living, no? hahahahahahahahah.

[osoab]

Reminds a little bit of this.

http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_7gpl2.jpg

Here is a vid about the plane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-C7XO-QH-s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-C7XO-QH-s

[StreetsOfGold]

A 74K target. Awesome

[mrnhtbr2232]

I'd give it two years of re-work to add automatic weapons, mines, missiles, and the same acquisition and targeting software used by the Army. Imagine one of these things landing in front of you 20 miles out on a private road on YOUR property. It opens a new dimension for being prepared, that's for sure.

[vacuum]

Wasn't there a famous case involving Dupont about personal privacy or something involving areal photos?

[mrnhtbr2232]

Wasn't there a famous case involving Dupont about personal privacy or something involving areal photos?

http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=12322687542949698235

EI DuPont DeNemours & Company v. Christopher, 431 F. 2d 1012 - Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit 1970