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They usually fly something like a 206 or 182 with a Flir gimbal and two people on board. Those types cost between $120 and $200 an hour to operate plus whatever
by edrxty 5y ago
They usually fly something like a 206 or 182 with a Flir gimbal and two people on board. Those types cost between $120 and $200 an hour to operate plus whatever the costs of the gimbal are (mind that the gimbal may cost as much or more than the host aircraft).
The pilot and sensor operator are paid so that's another $100+/hr after benefits and such are paid.
I'm guessing they just do it to subsidize the aircraft and give it something to do between calls when it's on station. The aircraft costs money just sitting in the hangar so it'll help justify the costs.
- PhantomGremlin 5y agoThere's a "Portland Police Bureau" activity going on right now, using a C182. I think they are following a car on various local highways. https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a1d296 https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a1d296 But that's misleading. I've been told that the FBI usually pilots that particular aircraft. So the ADSB "owner" could be someone else. This also factors into economics. Stuff like FLIR might be expensive to local police agencies but that cost is totally irrelevant to the Federales. Same with salaries. The Feds are already getting paid. The incremental cost is $0. Most of the time this particular aircraft is observing various intersections in Portland. E.g. pursuing fleeing perps or monitoring street racing. Gang violence in Portland is out of control and there has been a public announcement that the FBI is helping.