Well at least we have it's tail number. And, just need to know when it's on the ground for refueling and pilot swaps.
This is going to get pretty expensive for the city of Lancaster. With all the cities that have/will declare bankruptcies, this is just another sign that the collapse is well under way.
A C-182 with a FLIR attached to the strut. That's actually a pretty economical aircraft considering they could have used a helicopter. I wonder if all the doughnuts would fit into a C-152 to lower the operating cost per hour just a bit more. I bet the officers flying the bugsmasher feel awful that they aren't in something bigger/faster/sleeker/turbine powered, etc.
Looks to this Flyer, that a Super Cub, or just about ANY flying platform, would do the job... If it was "Me" making the decision, I would have a Crew of two, (2) Pilot, AND Observer.... If they only have a Pilot, and he runs into another aircraft, or wires, or tower, because he was working the System rather than flying the aircraft, MAJOR FAA Regs are being Broken...... and the Liability Issues would be disastrous....
Erm, this is a government agency. They'll basically do what they want. And it's not the city that will be paying for the flying time, upkeep and such. It will be the tax payers and those that get nipped by the flying eye in way of fines, cost, ... etc. Just note the tail numbers in case you have binoculars and are feeling like bird watching in So. KaliPornia.
Do you expect a govt agency to fly a tube and rag bugsmasher? It's bad enough that they have to fly in a piston single, let alone a cub. I bet the pilots would go on strike. No way can you mix 2010 tech with 1930's tech... (definition of steampunk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk ) Anyway, VisuTrac, I'm just being facetious. Us pilots are just thinking about how useful a flir on our strut would be to look at deer and bears around the homestead. I agree, the city govt's could care less how much the aircraft costs to operate when they can extract what they need from their residents to keep it going.
My State Trooper flies a tricked out Super Cub, with large sized Tundra Tires. (18") It is kind of funny to watch him "Unfold" himself (6'3" 250#) out of it when he comes to visit, during the winter.... To be fair, Alaska uses major Fish & Game violations to keep their Aircraft Fleet, up to date.... If you get caught in a major Violation, while using an Aircraft, for transport, AND are Convicted, the State seizes the Aircraft, as part of the restitution, to the state.
The Tallahassee, Florida AO is better funded - our "Fish&Game" guys have a nifty eyetalian-made twin-turboprop hotrod to buzz around over the woods in, fitted with FLIR and cameras. Wonder if they can spot the pythons from up there.....?
