The helicopters are available 24 hours a day. Limiting factors are manpower and machinery availability and weather. Each Aviation Patrol Unit has a minimum of three pilots for scheduling. This makes it possible to have the helicopters available from sunrise to sunset. For incidents which occur outside this time frame, pilots may be called in.
Nighttime operations require a more critical evaluation of weather than daytime operations.
With the search light mounted, the helicopter can effectively illuminate an area the size of a city block. This can be of great value for nighttime search operations. Some of the units also have thermal imaging equipment to enhance search capabilities. At times when the weather may look questionable, the pilot in command of the aircraft will be the ultimate authority regarding whether or not the aircraft will be put into service. In any event, it does not hurt to request the services of the helicopter.