Bureau of Justice Statistics

Special Report

July 2009, NCJ 226672

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Aviation Units in Large Law 

Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Lynn Langton

BJS Statistician

During 2007, about 1 in 5 large law enforcement agencies 

had a specialized aviation unit operating at least one fixedwing plane or helicopter. These 201 aviation units, located 

in departments of 100 or more sworn officers, employed 

about 3,400 persons, operated almost 900 aircraft in 46 

states and the District of Columbia, and logged an estimated 363,000 flight hours. The units performed functions 

ranging from general operations, such as engaging in pursuits and responding to calls for service, to more specialized operations, such as homeland security, emergency 

medical services (EMS), special weapons and tactics 

(SWAT), and firefighting missions.

This report is based on data from the 2007 Census of Law 

Enforcement Aviation Units (CLEAU), which collected information on the characteristics, expenditures, equipment, 

personnel, functions, and training and safety requirements 

of aviation units found in law enforcement agencies with 

100 or more sworn officers. The CLEAU is the first nationwide study to examine the nature and extent of airborne 

law enforcement.

Major findings from the 2007 Census of Law Enforcement 

Aviation Units include—

• Aviation units from large departments provided aerial 

law enforcement coverage in 46 states and the District 

of Columbia.

• A greater percentage of units had helicopters (88%) than 

planes (50%). In absolute numbers, units operated more 

than twice the number of helicopters (604) than planes 

(295).

• Aviation units spent an estimated total of $300 million in 

2007 on aircraft purchases, leasing and financing, and 

maintenance and fuel.

• About two-thirds (68%) of aviation unit aircraft were 

acquired through outright purchase, and about a fourth 

(24%) were secured through a government surplus program. Approximately half of the aircraft in operation were 

at least 20 years old.

• Aviation units logged a median of 1,100 flight hours per 

unit in 2007. State police units had the greatest median 

number of hours per unit (2,000).

• In 2007, 92% of aviation units engaged in vehicle pursuits. Almost 90% of units performed counternarcotics 

missions, and about 80% conducted counterterrorism 

missions. Nearly 70% of units engaged in firefighting 

activities. Fewer units reported using aircraft for SWAT 

member insertions (36%), emergency medical response 

(26%), and prisoner transport (22%) (figure 1).

• About half of aviation units required new pilot candidates 

to have law enforcement experience. Over 60% required 

that they hold prior pilot ratings.

Select operations performed by aviation units, 2007

Figure 1

Prisoner transport

SWAT member insertion

Firefighting

Counterterrorism missions

Counternarcotics missions

Vehicle pursuit

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percent of units (N=201)

Type of operation

Emergency medical response
2 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Aviation units assist in law enforcement missions

Law enforcement aviation units are thought to be beneficial 

supplements to traditional ground units. An aircrew typically 

has a broader field of vision than an officer does on the 

ground, allowing airborne officers to give ground units 

advanced alert on upcoming dangers or opportunities that 

may not be observed otherwise. Airborne officers can monitor situations from a level at which they can go undetected 

by the suspects involved, and be removed from any danger 

that may unfold. Additionally, aircraft can cover more distance in less time than ground units, allowing airborne officers to respond to some calls for service or requests for 

assistance in a more timely manner. While the rationale for 

aviation units has been articulated, there have been few 

studies that examine the nature and function of law 

enforcement aviation units.

Three in 4 agencies with 1,000 or more sworn officers 

had aviation units

Approximately 20% of all agencies with 100 or more sworn 

officers had aviation units in 2007.1 The percent of agencies with aviation units varied depending on agency type 

and size. Approximately 75% of the 89 agencies with 1,000 

or more sworn officers had aviation units, compared to 6% 

of agencies with less than 250 sworn officers (table 1). 

Ninety percent of state police, 38% of county police, 23% of 

sheriffs’ offices, and 13% of municipal police agencies 

operated aviation units during 2007.

Aviation units in large law enforcement agencies 

provided aerial coverage for more than 90% of the 

nation

The 201 aviation units provided aerial law enforcement 

coverage in 46 states and the District of Columbia (not 

shown in a table). Thirty states had an aviation unit responsible for full state coverage and at least one additional unit 

within a specific city or county jurisdiction. Fifteen states 

and the District of Columbia had one aviation unit covering 

the entire jurisdiction. Aviation units in South Carolina provided local coverage, not full state coverage. In four 

states—Wyoming, Vermont, Rhode Island, and 

Idaho—none of the agencies with 100 or more sworn officers reported having an aviation unit. (See appendix table 

1 for aviation units by state.)

1Calculation based on the 911 agencies with 100 or more sworn officers in 

the 2003 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics 

(LEMAS) Survey. Excludes 25 agencies that reported an aviation unit in 

the 2007 LEMAS, but not in the 2003 LEMAS. See Methodology for more 

information.

Sheriffs’ offices accounted for about 40% of aviation 

units in 2007 

Aviation units were most commonly found in sheriffs’ offices 

(38%) in 2007 (table 2). Municipal police agencies operated 

34% of aviation units, followed by state police agencies 

(22%), and county police agencies (7%). 

Regardless of agency type, 60% of aviation units in large 

departments were located in agencies employing 500 or 

more sworn officers. A third (33%) of aviation units were 

operated by agencies with 1,000 or more sworn officers. 

More than half (52%) of aviation units had 10 or fewer 

personnel specifically assigned to the unit, with the largest 

percentage (30%) having 6 to 10 employees.

Aviation units used more helicopters than planes to carry 

out law enforcement activities. In 2007, 88% of units had at 

least one helicopter and 50% had at least one plane. More 

than 70% of units operated more than one helicopter, compared to 25% operating more than one plane. The majority 

(60%) of units had between two and five aircraft. Less than 

20% of the units operated one aircraft.

Half of all units operated helicopters only

Aviation units can be characterized by whether they operate a plane, helicopter, or both types of aircraft. In 2007, 

half (50%) of all aviation units used helicopters only, compared to 12% operating planes only. More than a third 

(37%) of all units operated both helicopters and planes. 

(See appendix table 2 for the number of aircraft flown by 

type of aviation unit.) 

Table 1. Law enforcement agencies with 100 or more sworn 

personnel and aviation units, by agency type and size, 2007

Agencies with aviation units

Agency type and size All agencies Number

Percent of 

agencies

All agencies 941 201 21%

State police 49 44 90

Municipal police 519 68 13

County police 34 13 38

Sheriffs' offices 337 76 23

Tribal police 2 0 0

 Full-time sworn personnel*

100-249 543 32 6%

250-499 208 48 23

500-999 101 55 54

1,000 or more 89 66 74

Note: Includes 941agencies reporting 100 or more full-time sworn 

officers in the 2003 LEMAS and the 201 law enforcement agencies with 

100 or more full-time sworn officers and operating at least one plane or 

helicopter in 2007. See Methodology for details on survey sample.

*Agency personnel data based on the 2003 LEMAS survey.
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 3

Helicopter-only units were most commonly found in municipal police agencies (72%), county police agencies (85%), 

and sheriffs’ offices (47%). The majority of state police units 

(66%) operated both planes and helicopters and had the 

lowest percentage of helicopter-only units (11%). Municipal 

police agencies had the lowest percentage of plane-only 

units (4%).

Aviation units operated nearly twice as many 

helicopters as planes

Nearly 9 in 10 aviation units located in agencies with 100 or 

more sworn officers reported operating at least one helicopter in 2007; half reported operating at least one plane 

(table 3). Helicopters accounted for two-thirds (604) of the 

nearly 900 aircraft (899) in operation, and planes 

accounted for a third (295). None of the 201 aviation units 

reported using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), lightsport aircraft, ultralight aircraft, or powered parachutes (not 

shown in a table).

Aviation units in state police departments reported the largest number of aircraft (384), followed by sheriffs’ offices 

(243), municipal police (237), and county police (35) units. 

State police units accounted for 20% of all aviation units, 

but flew 40% of the total aircraft in operation. State police 

units had a median of six aircraft per unit. 

Sheriffs’ office units reported a greater number of total aircraft than municipal and county police units, but a smaller 

median number of aircraft per aviation unit. Both municipal 

and county police units had a median of three aircraft per 

unit while aviation units operated by sheriffs’ offices had a 

median of two per unit. (See appendix table 3 for data on 

aircraft by agency type). 

Type of aviation unit All

State 

police

Municipal 

police

County 

police

Sheriffs’ 

offices

Plane-only 12% 23% 4% 8% 15%

Helicopter-only 50 11 72 85 47

Both* 37 66 24 8 38

Total number of units 201 44 68 13 76

Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

*Includes units operating planes and helicopters. Includes one unit operating a plane borrowed on an as-needed basis and one unit operating a 

helicopter borrowed on an as-needed basis.

Table 2. Characteristics of law enforcement aviation

units in law enforcement agencies with 100 or more 

sworn officers, 2007

Aviation units

Characteristic Number Percenta

Number of aviation units 201 100%

Agency type

State police 44 22%

Municipal police 68 34

County police 13 7

Sheriffs' offices 76 38

Full-time sworn agency personnelb

100-249 32 16%

250-499 48 24

500-999 55 27

1,000 or more 66 33

Number of personnel assigned to unitc

1-5 44 22%

6-10 60 30

11-15 45 22

16-20 20 10

21 or more 31 15

Number of aircraft

1 32 16%

2-5 121 60

6 or more 48 24

Number of planes

None 101 50%

1 50 25

2-5 38 19

6 or more 12 6

Number of helicopters

None 25 12%

1 34 17

2-5 116 58

6 or more 26 13

Note: Includes 201 agencies owning or operating at least one plane 

or helicopter in 2007. See Methodology for details on responding 

agencies.

aPercentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

bAgency personnel data based on the 2003 LEMAS survey.

cUnit personnel data available for 98% of aviation units.

Table 3. Aircraft operated by aviation units, by type of 

agency, 2007

Type of agency 

and aircraft Number of units 

Aircraft operated

Number Median per unit

All agencies 201 899 3

Planes 100 295 2

Helicopters 176 604 3

State police 44 384 6

Planes 39 204 4

Helicopters 34 180 4

Municipal police 68 237 3

Planes 19 27 1

Helicopters 65 210 3

County police 13 35 3

Planes 2 5 3

Helicopters 12 30 3

Sheriffs' offices 76 243 2

Planes 40 59 1

Helicopters 65 184 2
4 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Aircraft purchases accounted for over half of aviation 

unit expenditures in 2007

Aviation units (190) reporting actual expenditures for 2007 

spent approximately $283 million to purchase, lease or 

finance, maintain, and fuel their aircraft (table 4). Total 

expenditures for all 201 aviation units were estimated at 

$301 million in 2007. (See Methodology for details on estimating expenditures for the 11 units unable to provide 

data.)

Aircraft purchases accounted for the largest percentage 

(56%) of aviation unit expenditures, followed by aircraft 

maintenance (27%), fuel (12%), and leasing or financing 

(6%). The estimated $159 million spent by aviation units for 

aircraft purchases was attributed to the 21% of aviation 

units that obtained aircraft in 2007.

Law enforcement agencies spent a median of $347,000 

per aviation unit on aircraft. Median expenditures were 

greatest for aviation units located in state police agencies. 

Median expenditures for state police units were more than 

three times higher than sheriffs’ office units, almost two 

times higher than county police units, and 1.5 times greater 

than municipal police units. 

Median expenditures were higher per helicopter than per 

plane. Helicopter-only units spent a median of $132,000 

per helicopter in 2007; plane-only units spent a median of 

$35,500 per plane. While higher spending on helicopters 

can be partially attributed to higher spending on purchasing, leasing, and financing, aviation units also spent a 

median of over 3.5 times more on maintenance and over 

twice the amount on fuel per helicopter, compared to the 

amount spent per plane. 

Table 4. Median expenditures for aircraft by expense, by type of agency, and type and number of aircraft, 2007

Median expenditures 

Total Purchasea Leasing/financingb Maintenancec Fueld

Total expenditures $282,900,000 $159,000,000 $16,800,000 $75,500,000 $34,900,000

Type of agency

All agencies $347,300 $2,150,400 $279,500 $167,200 $80,600

State police 629,500 1,400,000 800,000 220,000 129,900

Municipal police 418,900 1,800,400 279,500 247,400 90,000

County police 359,700 5,112,100 : 170,500 124,500

Sheriffs' offices 193,000 3,100,000 220,000 100,000 56,300

Number of aircraft per unit

1 $46,700 $340,000 $130,000 $15,000 $12,000

2-5 325,000 2,015,000 250,000 124,000 73,000

6 or more 1,469,800 2,800,000 1,502,500 500,000 296,800

Type of aircrafte

Planes only $35,500 $375,000 : $16,000 $13,000

Helicopters only 132,000 1,600,000 157,000 58,300 29,900

Both 108,500 3,000,000 86,700 41,300 24,400

Number of units 190 40 24 184 187

Note: Includes 201 agencies operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007. Data available for 190 units or 95% of the units. 

:Not calculated because there were fewer than five reporting units.

aIncludes data for 40 of 42 units reporting that the unit or agency obtained aircraft in 2007. 

bIncludes 24 units reporting that the unit or agency leased or financed an aircraft in 2007.

cIncludes 184 units reporting that the unit or agency funded aircraft maintenance in 2007.

dIncludes 187 units reporting that the unit or agency provided funds for aircraft fuel in 2007.

eIncludes 25 units operating planes only, 101 units operating helicopters only, and 75 units operating both types of aircraft.
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 5

Helicopters had higher maintenance and fuel costs 

than planes

The CLEAU collected expenditure and flight hour data at 

the aviation unit level. Cost estimates for planes and helicopters were generated by examining maintenance and 

fuel costs per flight hour for plane-only and helicopter-only 

units. For helicopter-only units, the median costs per flight 

hour were $168 for maintenance and $74 for fuel (text table 

2). The median costs per flight hour for plane-only units 

were $54 for maintenance and $45 for fuel.2

One in 4 aircraft used by law enforcement were 

acquired through a government surplus program

Aviation units obtain aircraft through outright purchase, 

lease, seizure, government surplus programs, or by other 

means, such as renting an aircraft or using one on a contractual basis. Outright purchase was the most common 

method used by agencies to acquire aircraft. In 2007, 68% 

of aviation unit aircraft (899) had been acquired through

2CLEAU data do not allow for a complete economic analysis of the total 

costs associated with obtaining and operating helicopters and planes.

outright purchase (table 5), followed by 24% acquired 

through the Section 1033 government surplus program.3

Aviation units overall were more likely to acquire planes 

(82%) through outright purchase than helicopters (60%). 

Units acquired a larger percentage of helicopters (33%) 

through the Section 1033 government surplus program 

than planes (6%). Seizure accounted for approximately 7% 

of planes acquired by aviation units, compared to less than 

1% of helicopters.

Sheriffs’ offices had the largest percentage of aircraft 

obtained through government surplus (43%). Less than half 

(44%) of the aircraft used by sheriffs’ offices were acquired 

through outright purchase. 

One in 5 aviation units acquired aircraft in 2007

In 2007, 42 (21%) aviation units added a total of 55 aircraft 

to their fleets (text table 3). The majority of these aviation 

units (76%) increased their fleet by one aircraft, 17% added 

two aircraft, and 7% added three (not shown in a table).

3Section 1033 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 1997 authorizes the Department of Defense to transfer excess military equipment to 

state and local law enforcement agencies having officers with powers of 

arrest and apprehension.

Median cost per flight hour for—

Type of aircraft Maintenance Fuel

Plane-only unitsa $54 $45

Helicopter-only unitsb 168 74

aCost per flight hour based on expenditure amount divided by flight 

hours for 25 plane-only units.

bCost per flight hour based on expenditure amount divided by flight 

hours for 101 helicopter-only units.

Aircraft obtained in 2007

Type of agency

Number of 

aviation units

Percent of 

agencies

Number of 

aircraft

All agencies 201 21% 55

State police 44 27 17

Municipal police 68 21 20

County police 13 31 6

Sheriffs' offices 76 16 12

Table 5. Method of aircraft acquisition, by type of agency and aircraft, 2007

Method of acquisition, by percentage obtained through—

Type of agency and aircraft Number of aircraft Total Purchase Government surplusa Lease Seizure Otherb

All agencies 899 100% 68 24 4 2 2

Planes 295 100% 82 6 1 7 4

Helicopters 604 100% 60 33 5 0c 1

State police 384 100% 80 15 1 2 2

Planes 204 100% 89 2 1 4 3

Helicopters 180 100% 71 29 0 0 0

Municipal police 238 100% 68 21 5 2 3

Planes 27 100% 70 7 0 11 11

Helicopters 210 100% 69 22 6 1 2

County police 35 100% 80 20 0 0 0

Planes 5 100% 80 20 0 0 0

Helicopters 30 100% 80 20 0 0 0

Sheriffs' offices 243 100% 44 43 7 3 4

Planes 59 100% 64 15 3 14 3

Helicopters 184 100% 38 52 9 0 2

Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

aSection 1033 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 1997 authorizes the Department of Defense to transfer excess military equipment to 

state and local law enforcement agencies having officers with powers of arrest and apprehension.

bIncludes methods of acquisition such as aircraft privately donated, obtained through a federal grant, rented, or obtained on a contractual basis.

cLess than 1%.
6 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Among municipal police aviation units, 14 (21%) added a 

total of 20 aircraft to their fleets. Twelve state police units 

(27%) added 17 aircraft. Twelve sheriffs’ office units (16%) 

added one additional plane each, and four county police 

units (31%) added six aircraft.

Nearly half the aircraft flown by law enforcement were 

at least 20 years old

Aviation units reported that almost half the aircraft (45%) 

used for law enforcement activities were 20 years or older 

on average (table 6). Approximately 80% of the aircraft in 

operation were over five years old, and 60% were more 

than 10 years old on average. In comparison, the average 

age of U.S. commercial aircraft in 2005 was 11.3 years 

while some U.S. military fleets, such as the Navy’s P-3 

Orion, averaged over 24 years.4,5

Municipal police units reported the lowest percentage of 

aircraft age 20 years or older (36%) and the highest percentage of aircraft age one year or less (7%). Sheriffs’ 

office units reported the highest percentage of aircraft at 

least 20 years old (61%). 

4Bureau of Transportation Statistics. (2007). Transportation Statistics 

Annual Report. U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

5U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2005). Military Readiness: DOD 

Needs to Identify and Address Gaps and Potential Risks in Program Strategies and Funding Priorities for Selected Equipment. Report to Congressional Committees (GAO-06-141).

Searchlights were the most common type of aircraft 

equipment

The two most common types of equipment outfitting aviation unit aircraft in 2007 were geared towards providing 

units with a better view of the ground below. About ninety 

percent of units had at least one aircraft equipped with a 

searchlight to illuminate the ground at night (table 7). More 

than 80% of aviation units had aircraft with forward-looking 

infrared (FLIR) systems with video cameras installed to 

provide law enforcement officers thermal images of the 

ground. 

A majority of aviation unit aircraft were equipped with public 

address systems (59%) and night vision compatibility 

(54%). A smaller percentage of aircraft were equipped with 

external cargo hooks (41%), digital downlink (31%), analog 

downlink (26%), mobile data terminals (22%), external 

hoist (21%), and FLIR without a video camera (13%). 

The greatest variability among law enforcement agencies—state police, municipal police, county police, and 

sheriffs’ offices—in the use of a particular type of equipment involved night vision capability. Unit aircraft equipped 

with night vision capability ranged from a high of 73% for 

state police units to a low of 32% for municipal police units, 

with sheriffs’ offices (66%) and county police (39%) falling 

in between. 

Table 6. Average age of aircraft operated by aviation law enforcement units, by type of agency, 2007

Percent of aircraft with an average age of—

Type of agency

Number of 

aircraft Total 1 year or less

More than 1 year 

to 5 years

More than 5 years 

to 10 years

More than 10 years

to 20 years

More than 20 

years

All agencies 899 100% 4 16 21 14 45

State police 384 100% 2 12 24 20 42

Municipal police 237 100% 7 20 25 12 36

County police 35 100% 6 23 23 11 37

Sheriffs' offices 243 100% 4 18 12 6 61

Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Based on 201 total aviation units operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007.

Table 7. Aviation units with specialized aircraft equipment, by type of agency, 2007

Percent of aviation units with specialized aircraft equipment

Type of equipment All units State police Municipal police County police Sheriffs' offices

Searchlight 88% 80% 97% 100% 83%

Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) with 

video camera 82 82 84 85 79

Public address system 59 50 68 69 55

Night vision compatibility 54 73 32 39 66

External cargo hook 41 46 41 23 41

Downlink (digital) 31 30 31 46 29

Downlink (analog) 26 25 25 15 30

Mobile data terminal 22 5 34 8 24

External hoist 21 27 13 23 23

FLIR without video camera 13 23 13 15 8

Note: Includes 201 agencies operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007.
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 7

Median flight hours per helicopter were more than 

twice the median flight hours per plane in 2007

Two corresponding measures of aviation unit activity in the 

CLEAU were the number of flight hours logged and the 

number of missions flown. In 2007, 193 aviation units 

logged 350,300 total flight hours or an average of 960 flight 

hours per day nationwide (table 8). The estimated total 

flight hours for all 201 units was 363,000. (See Methodology for details on estimating flight hours for eight agencies 

that did not provide data.)

State police units reported the greatest median number of 

flight hours per unit (2,000) in 2007. State police units 

logged a median of over three times more flight hours per 

unit than sheriffs’ offices (600), almost double the median 

flight hours of county police (1,200), and about 1.5 times 

the median flight hours per unit for municipal police units 

(1,400). 

Overall, the median flight hours logged per aircraft were 

greater for helicopters than for planes. Agencies operating 

helicopters reported a median of 360 flight hours per helicopter in 2007; agencies operating planes reported a 

median of 160 flight hours per plane. 

The median number of flight hours per pilot varied among 

law enforcement agencies. Municipal police pilots recorded 

the greatest median number of flight hours per pilot (250) 

for the year, followed by county police (200), state police 

(190) and sheriffs’ office (170) pilots.

Aviation units reported a median of 1,000 missions in 

2007

Approximately 336,700 missions were flown during 2007 

by the 145 aviation units reporting data (table 8). The estimated total for all 201 units was 384,800 missions. (See 

Methodology for details on estimation methods.)

Municipal police units flew more missions (189,700) than 

other law enforcement agencies. Those missions translated to a median of about 1,700 missions per municipal 

police unit. County police units flew the greatest median 

number of missions per aviation unit (2,500). Units in sheriffs’ offices flew the fewest missions per unit (500). As with 

flight hours, the median number of missions flown per aircraft was greater for helicopters (440) than for planes (70). 

Table 8. Median number of flight hours and missions flown, by type of law enforcement agency, 2007

Type of agency and tracking Number of units

Median per—

Total Unit Planea Helicopterb Pilot

Flight hoursc

All agencies 193 350,300 1,100 160 360 210

State police 43 137,600 2,000 190 270 190

Municipal police 65 131,900 1,400 180 540 250

County police 12 13,600 1,200 : 370 200

Sheriffs' offices 73 67,100 600 70 300 170

Missions flown

All agencies 145 336,700 1,000 70 440 160

State police 29 44,500 800 90 140 120

Municipal police 44 189,700 1,700 80 690 330

County police 9 32,800 2,500 : 1,240 570

Sheriffs' offices 63 69,800 500 40 300 170

Note: Includes aviation units operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007. Individual agency totals for flight hours and missions flown may not 

sum to totals for all agencies due to rounding.

:Not calculated because there were fewer than five reporting units.

aIncludes 100 aviation units operating a plane. Flight hour data were available for 95% of the units (38 state units, 18 municipal units, 2 county units, 

and 37 sheriffs' office units). Mission flown data available for 70% of the units (24 state units, 13 municipal units, 2 county units, and 31 sheriffs' office 

units).

bIncludes 176 units operating a helicopter. Flight hour data were available for 96% of the units (33 state units, 62 municipal units, 11 county units, and 

62 sheriffs' office units). Mission flown data available for 69% of the units (21 state units, 40 municipal units, 8 county units, and 52 sheriffs' office 

units).

c

Flight hour data were available for 193 of the 201 aviation units (96%). Missions flown data were available for 145 of the aviation units (72%).
8 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

State police units flew the longest missions

Missions flown by aviation units lasted a median of 1.2 

flight hours per mission for the 144 units providing both 

mission and flight hour data. State police units reported the 

longest flight time per mission (2.2 hours), while county 

police units reported the shortest flight time per mission 

(0.5 hours). 

Across all agency types, the median number of flight hours 

per mission was greater for planes than for helicopters. 

Nearly all aviation units responded to calls for service 

or requests for assistance

In 2007, aviation units engaged in a variety of general law 

enforcement operations. Almost all units (98%) responded 

to calls for service or requests for assistance and conducted photo flights (table 9). About 9 in 10 units (94%) provided direct assistance to ground units in making arrests, 

assisted with vehicle or foot pursuits (92% each), and performed search operations using thermal imagery camera 

equipment (87%). Approximately 7 in 10 units (72%) were 

involved in stolen vehicle recoveries, and nearly half of all 

units (47%) issued traffic enforcement citations. The same 

percentage of units (47%) made DUI arrests. 

Aviation units across the four agency types were relatively 

consistent in the percent of units engaging in general operations activities. Sheriffs’ offices had the lowest percentage 

of units engaging in each activity except for stolen vehicle 

recovery. 

Although not all aviation units were able to report on the 

number of times the general operation functions were performed, the two most frequently reported aviation unit tasks 

were responding to calls for service and issuing traffic 

enforcement citations. (See appendix table 4 for data on 

general operation functions.)

About 80% of aviation units performed 

counterterrorism missions

Aviation units were also responsible for carrying out or 

assisting with special operations, such as homeland security missions, emergency medical services (EMS), surveillance operations, prisoner transport, and firefighting operations. 

The most common special operations performed by aviation units involved surveillance activities. These were performed by more than 85% of all aviation units (table 10). 

Eighty-nine percent of units engaged in counternarcotics 

surveillance operations, and 94% participated in other 

types of criminal activity surveillance. Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) 

aviation units performed counterterrorism missions, such 

as conducting critical facility checks on buildings, ports, 

public utilities, oil refineries, bridges, airports, and monuments. County police departments had the largest percentage of aviation units engaging in counterterrorism missions 

(92%), while sheriffs’ offices had the lowest percentage 

(75%). 

Median number of flight hours per 

mission flown per—

Number of units Unit Planea Helicopterb

All agencies 144 1.2 2.4 1.0

State police 29 2.2 2.2 1.8

Municipal police 44 0.7 2.3 0.6

County police 9 0.5 0.8 0.5

Sheriffs' offices 62 1.2 2.5 1.0

Note: Based on 144 agencies (72%) that provided data on both flight 

hours and missions flown. 

aExcludes 101 units that did not operate a plane. Data on both flight 

hours and missions flown were available for 68% of the included 

units.

bExcludes 25 units that did not operate a helicopter. Data on both flight 

hours and missions flown were available for 68% of the included 

agencies.

Table 9. General law enforcement operations, by type of aviation activity, 2007

Percent of aviation units 

Type of activity All units State police Municipal police County police Sheriffs' offices

Respond to calls for service 98% 100% 99% 100% 95%

Photo flights* 98 98 100 100 95

Direct assistance to ground units in arrests 94 93 97 100 89

Vehicle pursuits 92 93 97 100 86

Foot pursuits* 92 93 97 100 87

Thermal imagery searches 87 89 91 92 82

Stolen vehicle recovery 72 59 82 62 72

Traffic enforcement citations* 47 82 54 39 23

DUI arrests* 47 47 64 39 32

Number of aviation units 201 44 68 13 76

Note: Includes agencies operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007.

*Data available for 198 units (or 99%).
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 9

Aviation units less commonly performed functions related 

to special weapons and tactics (SWAT) operations. Thirtysix percent of aviation units performed tactical insertions of 

SWAT members, 24% conducted tactical insertions via 

helicopter skid deployment, and 17% conducted tactical 

insertions through fast rope or rappel deployment. Fewer 

than 10% of aviation units were involved in incidents requiring airborne use of force.

With the exception of conducting search operations, less 

than half of aviation units performed air ambulance or EMS 

operations. EMS activities varied among agencies and by 

type of activity, with a high of 92% of county police units 

conducting searches for missing individuals, compared to a 

low of 10% of municipal police department units performing 

transports to medical facilities and hoist rescues.

Prisoner air transport missions were performed by 22% of 

aviation units, and 19% of units conducted extraditions 

using unit aircraft during 2007. State police had the highest 

percentage of units performing both air transport (43%) and 

extradition (32%) missions of all agency types. More than 

half (57%) of all aviation units participated in firefighting 

missions in 2007. (See appendix table 4 for more detailed 

information on special operations activities performed). 

Table 10. Special law enforcement operations, by type of aviation activity, 2007

Percent of aviation units

Special operations activity All units State police Municipal police County police Sheriffs' offices

Homeland security/counterterrorism missionsa 79% 77% 82% 92% 75%

Special weapon and tactics (SWAT) operations

Tactical insertions of SWAT membersa 36% 41% 31% 33% 39%

Tactical insertions via helicopter skid deployment 24 23 21 39 24

Tactical insertions via fast rope/rappel deployment 17 23 10 23 17

Incidents involving airborne use of force (AUF) 8 2 9 8 11

Air ambulance or emergency medical service (EMS) operations

Search operationsb 79% 84% 63% 92% 87%

Emergency rescue missionsa 35 42 24 46 40

Air responses to on-scene medical emergencies 26 39 16 39 25

Transports to medical facilities 21 25 10 31 28

Hoist rescues 16 18 10 15 20

Surveillance operations 

Criminal activity surveillance missions 94% 96% 99% 92% 90%

Counternarcotics operations 89 86 90 92 90

Transport

Prisoner air transport missionsa 22% 43% 12% 8% 22%

Extraditions conducted using unit aircraft 19 32 10 8 20

Firefighting 57% 57% 60% 54% 54%

Number of aviation units 201 44 68 13 76

Note: Includes agencies operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007.

aData available for 99% of aviation units.

bIncludes searches for hikers, boaters, skiers, and other persons reported to law enforcement as lost or stranded.
10 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

More law enforcement functions 

performed by helicopters than planes

In 2007, the functions performed by aviation units varied depending on whether a 

plane or helicopter was used. With the 

exceptions of personnel transport, prisoner transport, and speed enforcement, a 

greater percentage of units performed the 

16 listed functions of aviation units using 

a helicopter than using a plane (figures 2, 

3). Aviation units performed an average 

of 10 of the 16 functions using helicopters, while aviation units using planes 

performed an average of 8 of the 16 functions (not shown in a table). This finding 

suggests that there was greater variability 

in the types of tasks that were seen as 

suitable for helicopters as those that were 

suitable for planes.

Among aviation units operating planes, 

the three most common functions performed by 80% or more of all units were 

pilot training (87%), surveillance (84%), 

and personnel transport (80%). By contrast, over 80% of aviation units using a 

helicopter engaged in the following seven 

functions: photographic flights (99%), surveillance (97%), routine patrol or patrol 

support (93%), fugitive searches (91%), 

pilot training (90%), search and rescue 

(90%), and drug location and interdiction 

(89%).

The functions with the largest disparity in 

terms of the percentage of units performing the action with a helicopter versus 

units performing with a plane were SWAT 

operations performed by 74% of units 

with a helicopter and 25% of units with a 

plane, and fugitive searches performed 

by 91% of units with a helicopter and 48% 

with a plane.

Over half of aviation unit personnel were pilots

In 2007, a total of about 3,400 sworn and non-sworn personnel were assigned on at least a part-time basis to aviation units in large law enforcement agencies. Of those 

employees, approximately 60% were full-time sworn officers, 16% were part-time sworn officers, 15% were full-time 

non-sworn personnel, and 9% were part-time non-sworn 

personnel (table 11). Aviation units had a median of 10 

employees.

Among the positions held by aviation unit personnel, pilots 

accounted for the largest percentage of employees (51%), 

followed by tactical flight officers (TFOs) (24%), mechanics 

(11%), administrators (6%), paramedics (6%), and other 

personnel (2%).6

 Functions performed by aviation units operating planes

Figure 2

Cargo/load operations

Medical support/evacuation

Firefighting/fire support

SWAT operations

Speed enforcement

Prisoner transport

Traffic enforcement

Fugitive searches

VIP flights

Search and rescue

Drug location/interdiction

Photographic

Personnel transport

Surveillance

Pilot training

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Type of function

Percent of units

Note: Based on 100 units operating at least one plane in 2007.

Routine patrol/patrol support

 Functions performed by aviation units operating helicopters

Figure 3

Prisoner Transport

Speed enforcement

Medical support/evacuation

Cargo/load operations

Traffic enforcement

Firefighting/fire support

VIP flights

Personnel transport

SWAT operations

Drug location/interdiction

Pilot training

Search and rescue

Fugitive searches

Surveillance

Photographic

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Note: Based on 176 units operating at least one helicopter in 2007.

Type of function

Percent of units

Routine patrol/patrol support

6CLEAU did not capture how mechanical or other services were provided if in-house employees were not assigned to the aviation unit.
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 11

In part, pilots accounted for a high percentage of aviation 

unit personnel because only 65% of units had a TFO or 

mechanic, 40% had an administrator, and less than 10% 

had paramedics or employees serving in other positions.

The majority of aviation unit pilots (77%), administrators 

(57%), and paramedics (55%) were full-time sworn officers. 

Most TFOs were part-time sworn officers (49%). Of those 

employed as mechanics, the largest percentage were fulltime non-sworn personnel (67%). The majority of other unit 

personnel were part-time, non-sworn employees (53%).

County police had more aviation personnel per unit than any other law enforcement agency 

The median number of full-time equivalent personnel per 

aviation unit varied depending on the agency type—state 

police, municipal police, county police, and sheriffs’ 

offices—and type of aviation unit. The number of personnel per aircraft also varied across the types of law 

enforcement agencies. 

County police units (N=13) had the largest median number of personnel per unit (13.0) and per aircraft (4.3). 

State police units had the second largest median number 

of personnel per unit (12.5), and the smallest median 

number of personnel per aircraft (1.7). Units operating 

both types of aircraft had a larger median number of personnel (12.5) than plane-only (6.5) or helicopter-only (8.0) 

units (figures 4,5, and 6).

Median number of personnel employed by or assigned to 

aviation units, by type of unit, 2007

Figure 4

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

All units

Both helicopters

and planes

Helicopters only

Planes only

Type of unit

Median number of personnel per unit

Median number of aviation unit personnel per aircraft 

operated by type of agency, 2007

Figure 6

Type of agency

Sheriffs' offices

County police

Municipal police

State police

All agencies

0 1 2 3 4 5

Median number of personnel

per aircraft operated

Median number of personnel employed by or assigned to 

aviation units, by type of agency, 2007

Figure 5

Sheriffs' offices

County police

Municipal police

State police

All agencies

Type of agency

Median number of personnel per unit

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Table 11. Law enforcement aviation unit personnel, by position title, 2007

Number of units

Median number of 

employees per unit

Sworn personnel Non-sworn personnel*

Position title Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time

All personnel 201 10.0 2,032 547 522 317

Pilot 200 4.5 1,336 111 149 139

Observer or tactical flight officer 130 3.5 374 392 4 29

Paramedic or emergency medical technician 19 6.0 110 25 37 29

Airframe and powerplant mechanic 130 2.0 70 8 241 40

Administrator 80 1.0 124 10 72 13

Other 15 2.0 18 1 19 43

Note: Data available for 200 units (or 99.5%). Includes units operating at least one plane or helicopter and reporting at least one part-time 

employee assigned to the position in the unit.

*

Includes non-sworn employees and contractors.
12 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Prior law enforcement experience was required of 

pilots and pilot candidates by the majority of aviation 

units

The majority of aviation units required plane (69%) and 

helicopter (73%) pilots to be sworn law enforcement officers. More than half (52%) of the 201 units required pilots 

or pilot candidates to meet a set minimum number of years 

of law enforcement experience (table 12). Of those units 

requiring previous law enforcement experience, about 70% 

(or 36% of all units) required pilots to have between two to 

four years experience. Eighty-one percent of units (or 42% 

of all units) requiring previous law enforcement experience 

mandated that it must be within the agency.

County police agencies had the greatest percentage of 

units requiring both plane (100%) and helicopter (83%) 

pilots to be sworn law enforcement officers. Sheriffs’ office 

aviation units were the least likely to require that plane or 

helicopter pilots be sworn officers. 

Municipal police (68%) had the highest percentage of units 

with a mandate for pilots or pilot candidates to have previous law enforcement experience. Sheriffs’ offices (30%) 

had the lowest percentage.

In addition to previous law enforcement experience, 63% 

of all aviation units required new pilot candidates to have 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot ratings prior to 

joining the unit.

Commercial pilot license was required for about 70% 

of plane and helicopter pilots in command

The majority of aviation units required new pilot candidates 

to hold a minimum pilot rating prior to serving as the pilot in 

command (PIC) responsible for the operation and safety of 

the aircraft during flight time. Among aviation units with 

planes (100), 95% required PIC plane pilots to hold a set 

minimum pilot rating, and among units with helicopters 

(176), 88% reported having a minimum pilot-rating requirement for the helicopter PIC (table 13).

Aviation units having both types of aircraft flew more 

helicopters than planes 

Aviation units with both planes and helicopters 

theoretically have the option of using either type of aircraft 

to perform a particular function. With the CLEAU data, 

there are two main ways to assess which type of aircraft 

multicraft aviation units used when they had the option of 

either a plane or a helicopter. 

The first way to assess aircraft preference is to examine 

the flight hours accumulated in helicopters versus planes. 

Of the 75 multicraft aviation units, 76% logged more flight 

hours in helicopters than in planes. Approximately 70% of 

the multicraft units had at least twice as many helicopter 

flight hours as plane flight hours. Over 50% of the 

multicraft units (38 units) logged four times or more flight 

hours in helicopters than planes (not shown in a table).

To assess aircraft preference regarding the functions 

performed in helicopters compared to planes, multicraft 

units that reported engaging in a particular function were 

examined. For all but three functions (personnel transport, 

speed enforcement, and prisoner transport) a greater 

percentage of units used a helicopter than a plane. The 

three functions in which the difference in the percentage of 

units performing the function with a helicopter versus with 

a plane was the greatest were firefighting, SWAT 

operations, and medical support.

Units performing 

function

Percent of units performing function with—

Functions served Number Percent Planes Helicopters

Photographic 74 99% 76% 100%

Surveillance 72 96 86 100

Drug location/interdiction 72 96 74 95

Fugitive searches 72 96 42 99

Routine patrol/patrol support 70 93 51 94

Search and rescue 70 93 46 100

Pilot training 69 92 91 100

Personnel transport 64 85 97 84

SWAT operations 62 83 26 100

VIP flights 51 68 77 90

Traffic enforcement 46 61 59 65

Firefighting/fire support 42 56 24 100

Speed enforcement 36 48 81 47

Prisoner transport 33 44 88 34

Medical support/evacuation 28 37 25 96

Cargo/load operations 29 39 31 100

Note: Based on 75 multicraft aviation units. Includes multicraft units which 

reported serving in the listed function. Percentages will not sum to 100% 

because units may use both planes and helicopters for the functions. 
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 13

The most frequent aviation unit rating requirements for 

plane PICs were a commercial pilot’s license (68%), private 

pilot’s license (34%), instrument rating (53%), and rating to 

fly a single-engine land (SEL) (35%) plane. For helicopter 

PICs, the most frequent rating requirements were a commercial license (74%), private license (20%), and instrument rating (18%). The FAA specifies that at a minimum a 

commercial rating requires 250 hours of flight time and 

instruction, and ratings for a private license or singleengine or multi-engine plane require 40 hours. An instrument rating allows a pilot to fly in inclement weather and 

requires an already-certified pilot to take a specific course 

on the instrument panel and pass a knowledge test.7

Multiple rating requirements were more common for plane 

PICs than for helicopter PICs. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) aviation 

units operating planes required multiple ratings for the PIC, 

compared to 35% of units operating helicopters (not shown 

in a table). 

Approximately 9 in 10 aviation units had a certified 

flight instructor on staff in 2007

In 2007, 87% of aviation units employed a certified flight 

instructor (CFI). A CFI holds a FAA flight instructor certificate and is authorized to teach and give pilot endorsements. State police had the highest percentage of units 

(93%) with a CFI. 

Over 80% of aviation units provided in-house recurrent 

training for pilots

In 2007, 81% of aviation units provided their pilots with inhouse recurrent training, 66% provided factory recurrent 

training, 36% conducted unit checkrides, and 34% provided 

other types of training, including training on equipment

7Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 14: Part 61. Accessed 

April 21, 2009. Available at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov. 

Type of agency Percent of units with a CFI

All agencies 87%

State police 93

Municipal police 88

County police 85

Sheriffs’ offices 83

Note: Percentages based on 201 total aviation units (44 state police, 

68 municipal police, 13 county police, and 76 sheriffs’ office units). 

Data available for 99.5% of aviation units.

Table 12. Pilot and pilot candidate qualifications, by type of law enforcement agency, 2007

Percent of aviation units with requirements for pilots—

Qualification All agencies State police Municipal police County police Sheriffs' offices 

Sworn officer designation mandatory

Plane pilotsa 69% 74% 74% 100% 60%

Helicopter pilotsb 73 79 80 83 60

Minimum years of law enforcement experiencec— 52% 64% 68% 62% 30%

Under 1 year 7 16 3 0 7

2-4 36 39 50 54 18

Over 5 10 9 15 8 5

Law enforcement experience within the agency 42% 58% 55% 54% 19%

Prior held pilot ratings 63% 82% 44% 62% 70%

Note: Includes agencies operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007.

aBased on 100 units operating planes in 2007.

bBased on 176 units operating helicopters in 2007.

c

Data available for 199 aviation units (or 99%). 

Table 13. License and rating requirements for pilot in 

command (PIC), by type of law enforcement aircraft, 2007

Pilot in command requirementsa Planeb Helicopterc

Any requirement 95% 88%

License requirement

Airline transport pilot (ATP) 1% 0%

Commercial pilot 68 74

Private pilot 34 20

Rating requirement

Instrument 53% 18%

Single-engine land (SEL) 35 9

Single-engine sea (SES) 1 0

Multi-engine land (MEL) 13 1

Multi-engine sea (MES) 1 0

Note: Percentages do not sum to total because pilots can be required 

to hold multiple ratings. Includes agencies operating at least one 

plane or helicopter in 2007.

aDefined as the pilot responsible for the operation and safety of the 

aircraft during flight time.

bBased on 100 aviation units operating a plane in 2007.

c

Based on 176 aviation units operating a helicopter in 2007. 
14 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

such as helibuckets, hoists, and night vision goggles (table 

14). Recurrent training, such as refresher courses on aircraft systems, emergency procedures, or protocols for missions performed infrequently, were offered in-house two to 

four times per year and through a vendor one to two times 

per year by approximately half of aviation units. A quarter 

of the units conducted unit checkrides either once or twice 

a year. 

About 40% of aviation units paid for all pilot training

The greatest proportion of aviation units (44%) provided 

funding for some of the required pilot training, 38% paid for 

all types of training, and 6% did not pay for any pilot training (not shown in a table). The largest percentage of aviation units (93%) paid for recurrent training, followed by 

advanced (73%) and initial (42%) training.

The majority of aviation units conducted safety 

meetings on at least a quarterly basis

In addition to trained pilots, aviation units frequently practiced a number of other safety measures. In 2007, 89% of 

aviation units had a designated safety manual, 90% conducted safety meetings, and 90% held private insurance. 

Over 75% of units had a designated safety officer (table 

15). 

Of the 181 aviation units conducting safety meetings, the 

greatest percentage (36%) held the meetings quarterly, followed by 27% holding them monthly. Among units with 

insurance coverage from a private insurer, 80% had hull 

and liability coverage, 14% had liability-only coverage, and 

about 4% had hull-only coverage. Overall, sheriffs’ offices 

had the highest percentage of units with private insurance 

(97%), while state police had the lowest percentage (82%).

All accidents reported in 2007 involved a plane

An accident was defined in the CLEAU as “any incident in 

which the aircraft caused damage or injury or was damaged during use.” The 201 aviation units nationwide 

reported three accidents in 2007, and all three involved a 

plane.

From 2003 to 2006, there were 32 accidents involving aviation unit aircraft. Half of these accidents involved planes 

and half involved helicopters.

Type of pilot training Paying for pilot training

Initial 42%

Advanced 73

Recurrent 93

Note: Data are available for 199 units (or 99%).

Number of accidents

Year Plane Helicopter

2007 3 0

2003-2006 16 16

Note: Respondents were instructed to include any incident in which the 

aircraft caused damage or injury or was damaged during use.

Table 14. Pilot training provided by law enforcement agencies, 

by type and frequency, 2007

Percentage of aviation units providing training

Type of 

training Total Monthly

Bimonthly QuarterlyBiannually Annually Other

Recurrent

In-house 81% 13 3 21 25 16 3

Factory 66% 0 0 2 14 40 10

Unit 

checkrides 36% 1 2 8 11 14 2

Other* 34% 4 1 6 8 12 3

Note: Percentages may not sum to total due to rounding. Includes agencies 

operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007.

*Other training includes such training as helicopter bucket or helibucket 

use, emergency procedures, night vision goggles, rappelling, hoist operations, and tactical operations.

Table 15. Aviation unit safety measures, by type of law enforcement agency, 2007

Safety measure All agencies State police Municipal police County police Sheriffs' offices

Designated safety officer 77% 77% 81% 62% 76%

Designated safety manual 89% 88% 91% 77% 89%

Safety meetings conducteda— 91% 89% 87% 92% 93%

Monthly 24 18 24 23 29

Bimonthly 4 2 6 0 3

Quarterly 32 36 25 39 34

Biannually 11 18 13 8 7

Annually 11 14 10 8 11

Other or as needed 8 0 9 15 9

Private insuranceb 90% 82% 88% 92% 97%

Hull-only 4 7 3 0 4

Liability-only 13 11 13 0 17

Both 72 64 71 92 75

Note: Includes agencies operating at least one plane or helicopter in 2007. Unless otherwise noted, percentages are based on 201

total aviation units, which include 44 state police, 68 municipal police, 13 county police, and 76 sheriffs' offices. aPercentages may not sum to total due to rounding. 

bInsurance types may not sum to total due to rounding and missing data. Insurance data available for 198 units or 99% of aviation units.
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 15

Methodology

The universe for the 2007 Census of Law Enforcement Aviation Units (CLEAU) was any law enforcement agency with 

100 or more sworn officers that reported operating a fixedwing plane or helicopter in the 2003 Law Enforcement 

Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) Survey. Based on the 2003 LEMAS, the CLEAU was sent to 

245 of the 941 LEMAS agencies with 100 or more sworn 

officers. 

The CLEAU was a paper questionnaire mailed to each 

agency chief. Data collection began in March 2008 and 

ended in September 2008. Respondents used either calendar or fiscal year 2007 for all questions referring to 2007 

and the last day of calendar or fiscal year 2007 for all other 

questions.

Of 245 agencies, 241 (or 98%) responded. Twenty-four 

agencies (9.8%) no longer operated aircraft or had misreported in the 2003 LEMAS and never operated aircraft. 

Five agencies shared an aviation unit with another agency 

that had already responded, and 11 agencies had fewer 

than 100 sworn officers. As a result, the final CLEAU database included 201 aviation units. 

Not enough data were available for reliable estimates on 

the 11 aviation units in smaller law enforcement agencies. 

Of these 11 agencies,10 were sheriffs’ offices and one was 

a municipal police department. Six units operated one 

plane, three operated one helicopter, and two operated two 

helicopters.

The 2007 LEMAS Survey revealed an additional 25 agencies operating a plane or helicopter that were not included 

in the CLEAU because in 2003 they had fewer than 100 

sworn officers, did not operate a plane or helicopter, did not 

respond to the question regarding the type of equipment 

operated, or did not complete the 2003 LEMAS survey. The 

25 agencies operated a total of 39 planes and 31 helicopters in 2007. These agencies and the number of planes, 

helicopters, and full-time sworn officers are listed in appendix table 5. 

Estimating total expenditures

Eleven agencies in the CLEAU did not report 2007 expenditures. Expenditures among reporting units were highly 

correlated with whether an aircraft was obtained in 2007, 

type of aircraft operated, and flight hours logged. Thus, for 

the remaining 11 units a total expenditure amount was estimated from data on whether an aircraft was obtained in 

2007 and from plane and helicopter flight hours. 

For the six units that did not obtain a plane in 2007, expenditures were computed by multiplying plane flight hours by 

the mean plane cost per hour for maintenance ($76) and 

the mean plane cost per hour for fuel ($69), by multiplying 

helicopter flight hours by mean helicopter cost per hour for 

maintenance ($224) and mean helicopter cost per hour for 

fuel ($102), then adding the four amounts. If the agency did 

not have a plane or helicopter, the flight hours were set to 

zero. 

For the five units that obtained a plane in 2007, $2,720,036

(the mean amount of aircraft purchases among units 

obtaining one aircraft in 2007) was added to the end of the 

same formula. The sum of the estimated total expenditures 

for the 11 agencies was $18,058,306. The six units that did 

not obtained an aircraft in 2007 had mean expenditures 

estimated at $535,108 per unit. The five units that had 

obtained an aircraft in 2007 had mean expenditures estimated at $2,969,532.

Estimating total flight hours

Eight units in the CLEAU were unable to report on 2007 

flight hours. For these units total flight hours were estimated from unit data on number of planes,helicopters, 

pilots, and total expenditures, which were significantly 

related to flight hours. The estimate was computed using 

the mean flight hours per plane, helicopter, pilot, and cost 

per flight hour for the 96% of the units with available data. 

Three different estimates of total flight hours were computed, and the average of the three was used as the estimate for the unit. First, total flight hours per aircraft was 

computed by multiplying total planes by mean flight hours 

per plane, by multiplying total helicopters by mean flight 

hours per helicopters, then adding the two amounts. Second, total flight hours per pilot was computed by multiplying 

the number of sworn pilots in the unit by the mean flight 

hours per pilot. Third, the total unit expenditures were 

divided by the mean cost per flight hour. Fourth, flight hours 

per aircraft, per pilot, and as a proportion of total expenditures were then added together and divided by three to 

reach an average. The sum of the estimated flight hours for 

the eight agencies was estimated at 12,751, with a mean of 

1,594 flight hours per unit.

Estimating total missions flown

Fifty-six aviation units either did not track or report the number of missions flown. For these units, the total number of 

missions flown was estimated from data on the type of 

agency, number of flight hours, and mean flight hours per 

mission, computed from the units reporting both flight hours 

and missions flown. The mean number of flight hours per 

mission varied depending on agency type. 

The formula for state police units was (x/2.2); for municipal 

police (x/5.8); for county police (x/0.6); and for sheriffs’ 

offices (x/3.8). In each, “x” equals the mean number of flight 

hours per mission flown for each agency. For the eight 

agencies not reporting flight hours the formula remained 

the same, but the previously-computed flight hour 

estimates were used in the place of the actual flight hours. 

The sum of estimated missions flown for the 56 aviation 

units was 384,816 missions. 
16 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Appendix table 1. Law enforcement agencies with 100 or more sworn personnel and aviation units, 

by state and unit characteristics, 2007

State and aviation unit Type of agency Planes Helicopters Pilots Flight hours

Alabama

Alabama State Trooper Aviation Unit (DPS Aviation) State police 5 9 8 3,135

Tuscaloosa Police Helicopter Division Municipal police 0 3 3.5 844

State total 5 12 11.5 3,979

Alaska

Alaska Department of Public Safety State police 35 4 39 9,000

State total 35 4 39 9,000

Arizona

(City of) Phoenix Police Department, Air Support Unit Municipal police 3 7 28 6,823

Arizona Department of Public Safety Aviation Bureau State police 4 5 29.5 3,353

Maricopa County Sheriff Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 2 4 12 ...

Mesa Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 1 3 8.5 4,175

Pima County Sheriff Tactical Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 4 0 6 3,000

Tuscon Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 3 8 2,300

Yavapti County Sheriffs' Office Sheriffs' office 1 0 1 20

State total 15 22 93 9,495

Arkansas

Arkansas State Police Aircraft Section State police 2 2 5 480

Benton County Sheriffs' Ofiice Airborne Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 3 194

State total 2 4 8 674

California

Alameda County Narcotics Task Force Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 0 2.5 300

Anaheim Police Air Support Municipal police 0 3 7 3,000

Bakersfield Police Department Air Support Municipal police 1 0 1.5 355

Burbank Police Air Support Municipal police 0 3 6 200

Butte County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 2 2 1,200

California Highway Patrol Office of Air Operations State police 16 15 84 33,524

Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 2 807

Corona Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 1 2.5 854

Costa Mesa Police Department Airborne Law 

Enforcement Services (ABLE) Municipal police 0 3 8 3,600

El Monte Police Department Region One Air Support Municipal police 0 3 7.5 2,352

Fontana Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 2 3 880

Fresno County Sheriffs' Department - Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 1 2 3 1,675

Fresno Police Department Air Support Unit - Skywatch Municipal police 1 2 4 1,428

Glendale Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 3 7.5 2,200

Huntington Beach Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 3 6 1,865

Kern County Sheriffs' Department Sheriffs' office 2 5 5.5 2,347

LA Police Department Air Support Division Municipal police 1 18 51 17,048

Long Beach Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 2 4 1,450

Los Angeles County Sheriffs' Department - Aero Bureau Sheriffs' office 3 15 25 ...

Marin County Sheriffs' Air Patrol Sheriffs' office 1 0 11 200

Oakland Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 3 5 1,200

Ontario Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 2 4.5 2,200

Orange County Sheriffs' Department Air Support Bureau Sheriffs' office 0 2 3 2,300

Pasadena Police Department Air Operations Section Municipal police 0 6 8 3,500

Placer County Sheriffs' Office - Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 1 1 5.5 556

Ponoma Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 1 1 3.5 476

Riverside County Sheriff Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 6 5.5 3,772

Riverside Police Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 4 7 2,400

Sacramento Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 1 2 4.5 1,657

San Bernardino County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 4 10 11.5 6,146

San Diego Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 2 4 9 3,616

San Diego Sheriffs' Aviation Unit (ASTREA) Sheriffs' office 0 9 15 3,828

San Joaquin Sheriffs' Department Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 1 0 1.5 790

San Jose Police Department Air Support Unit Municipal police 1 1 7 925

San Mateo County Sheriffs' Air Squadron Sheriffs' office 1 0 10 243

Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 1 4 6 958

Santa Clara County Sheriffs' Office Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 1 560

Santa Monica Air Support Unit Municipal police 1 1 0.5 ...

Sonoma County Sheriffs' Department - Helicopter Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 2 593

Stanislaus County Sheriffs' Department Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 2 2 3 675

Tulare County Sheriffs' Department Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 1 0 1 ...

Ventura County Sheriffs' Department Aviation/SAR Unit Sheriffs' office 0 4 3 887

State total 46 148 360 5,631
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 17

Appendix table 1. Law enforcement agencies with 100 or more sworn personnel and aviation units, 

by state and unit characteristics, 2007 (cont’d)

State and aviation unit Type of agency Planes Helicopters Pilots Flight hours 

Colorado

Colorado Springs Police Department - Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 2 4 725

Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Section State police 5 0 4.5 1,200

Denver Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 1 3 721

State total 5 3 11.5 2,646

Connecticut

Connecticut State Police Aviation Section State police 3 3 3 869

Fairfield Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 1 4 50

State total 3 4 7 919

Delaware

Delaware State Police Aviation Section State police 3 5 14 1,971

State total 3 5 14 1,971

District of Columbia

Washington Metropolitan Police Department, Air Support 

Unit Municipal police 0 2 7 891

District total 0 2 7 891

Florida

Alachua County Sheriffs' Office/ Gainesville Police Joint 

Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 3 4.5 826

Bay County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 2.5 228

Brevard County Sheriffs' Tactical Air Response (STAR) Sheriffs' office 0 4 4.5 660

Broward County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 3 8 2,057

Charlotte County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 4 2 581

Citrus County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 2 6 1,020

Collier County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Bureau Sheriffs' office 1 2 4.5 922

Escambia Sheriffs' Office Air Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 4 1,200

Florida Highway Patrol Aviation Unit State police 8 0 9 4,279

Hernando County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 3 2 446

Hillsborough County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Section Sheriffs' office 1 4 9 1,681

Indian River County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 3 371

Jacksonville Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 4 4 9 3,300

Lake County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 3 5 673

Lakeland Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 1 2 392

Lee County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Division Sheriffs' office 2 2 6 1,525

Leon County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 3 4 372

Manatee County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 2 2 1,018

Marion County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 2 8 1,227

Martin County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 3 3.5 500

Miami-Dade Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 2 4 13 2,525

Monroe County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 1 6 395

Osceola County Sheriffs' Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 3 5 1,510

Palm Beach County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 10 1,600

Pasco County Sheriffs' Office, Aviation Section Sheriffs' office 1 4 3 550

Pinellas County Sheriffs' Office Flight Unit Sheriffs' office 3 5 9 941

Polk County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 4 6 1,600

Santa Rosa County Sheriffs' Office Air Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 0 1

Sarasota County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 3.5 700

Seminole County Sheriffs' Department Sheriffs' office 1 3 6 991

St. Johns County Sheriffs' Office - Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 2.5 297

St. Lucie County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 3 5.5 1,069

Tampa Police Aviation Unit Municipal police 1 5 6 1,962

Volusia County Sheriffs' Office Special Services Sheriffs' office 0 3 4.5 1,330

West Palm Beach Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 1 3 1,200

State total 32 92 181.5 39,949

Georgia

Clayton County Police Department, Aviation Unit County police 0 3 1 218

City of Atlanta Helicopter Unit Municipal police 0 3 7 1,154

Dekalb County Police Aerial Support Unit County police 0 2 8 1,462

Fulton County Police Helicopter Squad County police 0 1 1 125

Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division State police 0 14 14 3,502

Gwinnett County Police Aviation County police 0 2 5.5 ...

State total 0 25 36.5 6,461
18 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Appendix table 1. Law enforcement agencies with 100 or more sworn personnel and aviation units, 

by state and unit characteristics, 2007 (cont’d)

State and aviation unit Type of agency Planes Helicopters Pilots Flight hours 

Hawaii

Honolulu Police Department Helicopter Section Municipal police 0 2 2 493

 State total 0 2 2 493

Illinois

Illinois State Police Air Operations State police 6 0 11 2,102

State total 6 0 11 2,102

Indiana

Gary Police Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 3 2 375

Indiana State Police Aviation Section State police 3 3 7 3,521

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department - Aviation 

Section Municipal police 0 4 3 1,100

Lake County Police Department Aviation Sheriffs' office 0 3 2 298

State total 3 13 14 5,294

Iowa

Iowa State Patrol Air Wing State police 7 0 11 3,600

State total 7 0 11 3,600

Kansas

Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit State police 5 7 10 1,332

Sedgwich County Sheriffs' Office, Extradition Unit Sheriffs' office 1 0 2 492

Topeka Police Helicopter Unit Municipal police 0 2 3 1,430

Wichita Police Department Air Section Municipal police 0 1 4 405

State total 6 10 19 3,659

Kentucky

Kentucky State Police Aircraft Branch State police 2 4 4.5 1,090

Louisville Metro Police Air Unit Municipal police 0 2 8 714

State total 2 6 12.5 1,804

Louisiana

Jefferson Parish Sheriffs' Office Flight Section Sheriffs' office 0 2 4 300

Louisiana State Police Air Support Unit State police 5 7 10 2,059

State total 5 9 14 2,359

Maine

Maine State Police Airwing State police 2 0 2 300

State total 2 0 2 300

Maryland

Anne Arundel County Police Aviation County police 0 3 3.5 631

Baltimore County Police Aviation Team County police 0 3 7 2,100

Baltimore Police Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 4 9 3,574

Howard County Police Aviation Unit County police 0 1 2 374

Maryland State Police Aviation Command State police 2 12 50 4,259

Prince George's County Police Aviation Section County police 0 2 4 1,100

State total 2 25 75.5 12,038

Massachusetts

Massachusetts State Police Air Wing State police 1 5 11 2,057

State total 1 5 11 2,057

Michigan

Michigan State Police Flight Unit State police 2 2 2.5 752

Oakland County Sheriffs' Office - Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 4 702

State total 2 4 6.5 1,454

Minnesota

Minnesota State Patrol Aviation State police 6 4 9 1,729

State total 6 4 9 1,729

Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Air 

Operations Unit State police 2 2 4 589

Tupulo Police Department Municipal police 0 1 2.5 ...

State total 2 3 6.5 589

Missouri

Kansas City Police Helicopter Section Municipal police 0 3 9.5 2,027

Missouri State Highway Patrol Aircraft Division State police 0 3 14.5 2,496

St. Louis City Police Metro Air Support Municipal police 1 5 5 2,320

St. Louis County Police Metro Air Support Unit County police 1 4 6 1,900

State total 2 15 35 8,743
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 19

Appendix table 1. Law enforcement agencies with 100 or more sworn personnel and aviation units, 

by state and unit characteristics, 2007 (cont’d)

State and aviation unit Type of agency Planes Helicopters Pilots Flight hours 

Montana

Montana Highway Patrol Aviation Section State police 1 1 1 80

State total 1 1 1 80

Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Unit State police 4 1 5 1,344

Omaha Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 6 5.5 1,712

State total 4 7 10.5 3,056

Nevada

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department - 

Air Support Section Municipal police 1 7 20 6,376

Nevada Highway Patrol Flight Operations Unit State police 3 0 3 1,388

Washoe County Regional Aviation Enforcement 

Unit (RAVEN) Sheriffs' office 0 3 3 186

State total 4 10 26 7,950

New Hampshire

New Hampshire State Police Aviation Unit State police 1 1 2.5 452

State total 1 1 2.5 452

New Jersey

New Jersey State Police Aviation Bureau State police 0 9 40 5,400

State total 0 9 40 5,400

New Mexico

Bernalillo County Sheriffs' Department Metropolitan 

Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 3 500

New Mexico State Police Aviation Section State police 2 1 5 492

State total 2 3 8 992

New York

Erie County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 2 370

Nassau County Police Aviation Unit County police 0 3 7 1,082

New York City Police Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 7 32 4,449

New York State Police Aviation Unit State police 6 11 84 5,050

Niagara County Sheriffs' Department Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 3 129

Onondaga County Sheriffs' Office AIR -1 Sheriffs' office 0 1 3 314

Suffolk County Police Aviation Section County police 0 4 18 1,450

Westchester County Department of Public Safety Sheriffs' office 0 2 3 495

State total 6 31 152 13,339

North Carolina

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 2 4.5 765

Henderson County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 1 3.5 26

North Carolina State Highway Patrol Aircraft Operation State police 0 8 21 1,650

State total 1 11 29 2,441

North Dakota

North Dakota State Highway Patrol State police 1 0 1.5 56

State total 1 0 1.5 56

Ohio

Butler County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 2.5 250

Cleveland Division of Police Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 2 3 ...

Columbus, OH, Division of Police Helicopter Unit Municipal police 0 6 20 5,250

Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Section State police 14 2 15 6,695

State total 14 11 40.5 12,195

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Police Department, Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 2 7 1,568

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Aircraft Division State police 11 4 18 5,328

Tulsa Police Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 2 6 1,079

State total 11 8 31 7,975

Oregon

Clackamas County Sheriffs' Office Air Unit Sheriffs' office 1 0 2.5 60

Multnomah County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 0 1 100

Oregon State Police Aviation Unit State police 5 0 5 1,620

Portland Police Bureau Air Support Unit Municipal police 2 0 4 1,000

State total 9 0 12.5 2,780
20 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Appendix table 1. Law enforcement agencies with 100 or more sworn personnel and aviation units,

by state and unit characteristics, 2007 (cont’d)

State and aviation unit Type of agency Planes Helicopters Pilots Flight hours 

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Police Aviation and Special 

Services Division State police 7 8 32 3,637

Philadelphia Police Department - Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 2 2 1,200

State total 7 10 34 4,837

South Carolina

Anderson County Sheriffs Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 4 67

Greenville County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 2 2.5 369

Richland County Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 1 1 4.5 487

Spartanburg County Sheriffs' Office Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 1.5 309

State total 2 6 12.5 1,232

South Dakota

South Dakota Highway Patrol Aviation Section State police 1 1 1.5 225

State total 1 1 1.5 225

Tennessee

Jackson Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 2 1.5 211

Memphis Police Department Air Support Division Municipal police 0 4 14 1,313

Metro Nashville Police Aviation Section Municipal police 0 6 4.5 1,650

Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations State police 0 6 4 1,800

State total 0 18 24 4,974

Texas

Austin Police Department Air Enforcement Unit Municipal police 1 2 4 850

Bell County Regional Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 1 1 250

Central Texas Air Support Unit Municipal police 0 1 0.5 ...

Dallas Police Department Helicopter Unit Municipal police 0 4 13 2,650

El Paso Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 1 2 2 270

Fort Worth Police Air Support Division Municipal police 0 2 5.5 2,500

Houston Police Department Helicopter Patrol Unit Municipal police 1 9 29 5,062

San Antonio Police Helicopter Detail Municipal police 0 5 20 2,618

Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section State police 8 9 29 6,236

State total 11 35 104 19,336

Utah

Utah County Sheriff - Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 2 0 2 220

Utah Highway Patrol Aero Bureau State police 2 2 3.5 1,110

State total 4 2 5.5 1,330

Virginia

Chesapeake Sheriff Project Lifesaver International 

Aviation Unit Sheriffs' office 0 1 0.5 134

Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division County police 0 2 6 1,293

Richmond City Metro Aviation Unit Municipal police 4 0 3 1,898

Richmond Metro Aviation Unit County police 4 0 3 1,898

Virginia Beach Police Department Aviation Unit Municipal police 0 3 6 1,000

Virginia State Police Aviation Unit State police 4 7 24 3,464

State total 12 13 42.5 9,687

Washington

King County Sheriffs' Office Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 0 5 5 950

Pierce County Sheriff Air Unit Sheriffs' office 2 0 4 100

Snohomish County Sheriffs' Office Air Support Unit Sheriffs' office 0 2 2 500

Washington State Patrol Aviation Unit State police 7 0 10.5 3,906

State total 9 7 21.5 5,456

West Virginia

West Virginia State Police Section State police 0 3 3 ...

State total 0 3 3 ...

Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Patrol Air Support State police 3 0 9 444

State total 3 0 9 444

... Data not reported.
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 21

Appendix table 2. Types and numbers of aircraft operated, by type of law enforcement agency, 2007

Type and number of aircraft operated

Percent of aviation units with—

All State police Municipal police County police Sheriffs’ offices

Total number of units 201 44 68 13 76

Planes only 12% 23% 4% 8% 15%

1 5 2 1 0 12

2-5 5 11 3 8 3

6 or more 2 9 0 0 0

Helicopters only 50% 11% 72% 85% 47%

1 10 0 13 15 13

2-5 35 2 51 69 33

6 or more 5 9 7 0 1

Both planes and helicopters* 37% 66% 24% 8% 38%

1 plane, 1 helicopter 5 7 4 0 5

2 or more planes, 1 helicopter <1 5 0 0 0

1 plane, 2 or more helicopters 14 2 15 8 21

2 or more planes, 2 or more helicopters 16 50 4 0 11

Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

*Excludes two units because either the plane or helicopter was borrowed on an as-needed basis.

Appendix table 3. Number of aircraft operated by aviation units, by type of agency, 2007

Number of units 

operating aircraft

Aircraft operated— Percent of aviation units operating—

Type of agency and aircraft Total number Median per unit* 1 aircraft 2-5 aircraft

6 or more 

aircraft

All agencies 201 899 3 16% 60% 24%

Planes 100 295 2 50 38 12

Helicopters 176 604 3 19 66 15

State police 44 384 6 2 36 62

Planes 39 204 4 13 55 32

Helicopters 34 180 4 15 47 38

Municipal police 68 237 3 15 66 19

Planes 19 27 1 74 26 0

Helicopters 65 210 3 19 68 14

County police 13 35 3 15 85 0

Planes 2 5 3 50 50 0

Helicopters 12 30 3 17 83 0

Sheriffs’ offices 76 243 2 25 65 11

Planes 40 59 1 73 28 0

Helicopters 65 184 2 22 72 6

*Medians for planes are calculated from only aviation units that operated a plane in 2007, and medians for helicopters are based only 

on the units which operated a helicopter. 
22 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

Appendix table 4. Activities engaged in by law enforcement aviation units, 2007

Percent of 

units engaging 

in activities in 

2007

Number 

of units 

providing 

activity counts

Total number 

of times 

activity 

was performed

Number of times activity was performed per unit 

Activity Maximum Mean 

Bottom 25th 

percentile

50th 

percentile

Top 75th 

percentile

General operations 

Respond to calls for service or 

requests for assistance 98% 123 437,487 72,543 3,557 297 1,059 3,500

Photo flights 98 109 7,131 507 65 14 37 85

Direct assistance to ground units 

in arrests 94 106 44,821 7,500 423 28 151 475

Vehicle following/pursuits 92 105 8,772 2,020 84 10 25 52

Foot pursuits/chases 92 90 8,990 1,040 100 11 33 99

Searches using thermal imagery 

camera equipment 87 91 57,635 7,000 633 40 150 704

Stolen vehicle recoveries 72 84 7,809 2,171 93 4 20 63

Traffic enforcement citations 47 49 161,104 48,718 3,288 9 60 325

DUI arrests 47 36 1,221 260 34 2 10 27

Homeland security/counterterrorism 

missions 79% 83 62,157 11,000 749 18 100 620

Special weapon and tactics (SWAT) 

operations

Tactical insertions of SWAT members 36% 46 343 137 7 0 2 4

Tactical insertions via helicopter skid 

deployment 24 31 85 24 3 0 1 4

Tactical insertions via fast rope/rappel 

deployment 17 23 216 137 9 0 0 4

Incidents involving airborne use of 

force (AUF) 8 12 1 1 0 0 0 0

Air ambulance or emergency medical 

services (EMS) operations

Searches for lost or stranded hikers, 

skiers, boaters, etc. 79% 91 7,383 850 81 9 30 100

Other rescue missions 35 41 1,375 418 34 4 15 37

Air responses to on-scene medical 

emergencies 26 41 14,079 5,267 343 4 25 276

Transports to medical facilities 21 35 10,101 4,399 289 2 26 232

Hoist rescues 16 27 411 123 15 0 4 15

Surveillance operations 

Other criminal activity surveillance 

missions 94% 91 4,555 475 50 10 22 68

Counternarcotics missions 89 95 8,519 1,787 90 15 29 87

Prisoner transport

Prisoner air transport missions 22% 28 405 125 14 1 7 15

Extraditions conducted using unit 

aircraft 19 21 587 186 28 5 10 36

Firefighting 57% 69 2,025 507 29 3 10 20
Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007 23

Appendix table 5. Agencies that reported operating a plane or helicopter in the 2007 

LEMAS survey but were not included in the CLEAU

Agency State Planes Helicopters

Number of full-time 

sworn officers

Jefferson County Sheriff Alabama 0 2 547

Merced County Sheriff California 3 1 114

San Bernardino Police California 1 1 330

Stratford Police Connecticut 0 1 105

Miami Police Florida 0 1 1,054

Orange County Sheriff Florida 1 4 1,346

Columbia County Sheriff Georgia 1 0 203

Columbus Police Georgia 0 1 376

Coweta County Sheriff Georgia 0 1 132

Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Georgia 1 0 526

Spalding County Sheriff Georgia 0 1 195

Chicago Police Illinois 0 1 13,336

Cook County Sheriff Illinois 0 1 2,390

Lexington Police Kentucky 0 2 537

Macomb County Sheriff Michigan 15 2 248

St. Charles County Sheriff Missouri 1 3 150

Durham County Sheriff North Carolina 6 0 163

Jacksonville Police North Carolina 6 0 107

Pitt County Sheriff North Carolina 0 1 119

Wilmington Police North Carolina 0 2 250

Newark Police New Jersey 0 1 1,229

Hamilton County Sheriff Ohio 0 2 245

Jackson County Sheriff Oregon 0 3 130

Aiken County Sheriff South Carolina 1 0 119

Henrico County Police Virginia 3 0 546
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Washington, DC 20531

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

PRESORTED STANDARD

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

DOJ/BJS

Permit No. G-91

*NCJ~226672*

24 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies, 2007

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical 

agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Michael D. 

Sinclair is the acting director. 

This Special Report was written by Lynn Langton 

under the supervision of Joel Garner and Michael D. 

Sinclair. Brian A. Reaves, BJS statistician, provided 

comments and technical assistance. Diandra S. 

Hayban and Christine Eith verifed the report.

Georgette Walsh and Jill Duncan edited the report, 

Tina Dorsey produced the report, and Jayne 

Robinson prepared the report for final printing, under 

the supervision of Doris J. James.

The data collection instrument was developed by BJS 

in cooperation with the Governments Division of the 

U.S. Census Bureau, and with assistance and 

technical review from Stephen J. Ingley, Executive 

Director, Airborne Law Enforcement Association 

(ALEA).

Data collection was conducted by the Governments 

Division of the U.S. Census Bureau. Nicole S. 

Adolph, Statistican, Criminal Justice Statistics 

Branch, was the project director.

July 2009, NCJ 226672

This report in portable document format and in ASCII and 

its related statistical data and tables are available at the 

BJS World Wide Web Internet site: 

<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/aullea07.htm>. 

The 2007 CLEAU dataset is available for download from 

the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data at 

<http://www.icprs.umich.edu> study number 25482.

Office of Justice Programs

Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov