The New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) Aviation Command, known locally as PolAir in Sydney, Australia, has been keeping the people of New South Wales safe since 1946. It originally operated a WWII surplus Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Avro Anson fixed-wing aircraft, nicknamed “Nemesis.”
Initially, its primary mission was transporting specialist officers to remote locations to investigate homicides and robberies. However, due to cost concerns, these air operations were disbanded in 1950. Nearly three decades later, in 1979, PolAir was re-established as a full-time, day and night helicopter patrol unit, using three new Bell JetRanger helicopters for scheduled patrols.
Equipped with rescue hoists and public address systems, the helicopters were soon deployed for search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. Over the next 20 years, these three rotorcraft accumulated extensive flight hours, with one becoming the highest airtime JetRanger in the world upon retirement.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, PolAir expanded its mission scope beyond patrol and SAR operations to include tactical missions, surveillance, and cannabis eradication. The fleet evolved accordingly, replacing the Bell JetRangers with a diverse mix of Airbus AS350 B2s, one AS355N, one BK117, one EC135, and a Cessna 206.
Today, PolAir operates a modern fleet of both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, including three patrol-equipped Bell 429s, two SAR-configured Bell 412EPI helicopters, several unmanned aircraft, and multiple Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EXs.
Recognizing PolAir’s increasing contributions, the police commissioner officially renamed the unit the NSWPF Aviation Command in 2021. The command also opened a new operational base and completed a fleet modernization program.
Extensive training
PolAir has been based at Bankstown Airport in Sydney’s suburbs since 1991. Its state-of-the-art facility, completed in 2020, spans 7,500 square meters (80,700 square feet) and includes modern offices, two fully equipped engineering hangars, fixed- and rotary-wing simulators, and a winch simulator. The facility also features a “bird bath” system to rinse salt water from aircraft.
Maintenance is handled in-house by a dedicated engineering team at Bankstown. Engineers perform comprehensive aircraft maintenance, equipping and sustaining aircraft with specialized role equipment such as rescue hoists, high-powered Trakka Systems TrakkaBeam searchlights, and FLIR camera systems integrated with real-time Shotover augmented reality mapping.
The command consists of approximately 75 personnel, about half of whom are sworn officers. The aircrew includes 15 pilots, qualified in both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and 37 tactical flight officers (TFOs), led by chief pilot Rod Clinch, who has logged 12,000 helicopter hours. Each aircraft operates with a three-person crew: a pilot, a mission controller (a senior aircrew member), and a system operator/down-the-wire crewman.
New pilots arrive at PolAir with multi-engine experience and qualifications in instrument flight rules (IFR) and night vision goggle (NVG) operations. They undergo in-house training in visual flight rules (VFR), IFR, and night flying across all manned platforms. Additionally, they receive instruction in police patrol support, day and night SAR operations, and tactical missions.
TFO candidates undergo rigorous physical, medical, and aptitude testing. Once accepted, they complete six weeks of classroom training before beginning flight school, where they learn navigation, aircraft systems, and onboard police technology. Successful candidates become TFOs and serve as system operators or down-the-wire crew members on both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. After two years, they can train to become mission controllers and winch operators.
All trainers have at least five years of flight experience and national accreditation. Training includes hands-on use of PolAir’s hoist and FLIR simulators, as well as operational training in the aircraft. Additionally, PolAir provides initial air operations dispatcher training to new radio operators, fostering effective collaboration. Dispatchers also have access to PolAir’s video downlink feed during non-surveillance missions.
PolAir’s comprehensive training and skills development have led to a high success rate in locating offenders and missing people across NSW.
Multi-mission capability
As Australia’s largest state police force, the NSWPF covers 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers) — an area three times the size of California and twice the size of Texas.
PolAir primarily operates in Sydney, responding to approximately 7,000 formal requests annually and conducting over 20,000 patrols. A sergeant and an aircrew member staff an advanced operations room to support each PolAir mission. The operations team can deploy aircraft at no cost to the requesting agency or police command.
PolAir’s reach extends north to Byron Bay’s surf beaches, west to the remote outback of Broken Hill, south to the Snowy Mountains, and 200 nautical miles (370 km) offshore. Some missions take them as far as 550 nm (1,019 km), requiring overnight accommodations and hangar space.
The unit conducts patrols, tactical operations, SAR missions (for both survivors and deceased individuals), and crime response support, including pursuits, traffic incidents, and offender searches. PolAir also assists the NSWPF tactical operations unit (TOU) in aerial fire support and fast-roping missions.
With access to over 2,500 radio channels, PolAir provides surveillance, investigator and VIP transport, and security for major events like New Year’s Eve celebrations and sports events. The unit recently provided overwatch for King Charles III’s motorcade during his Sydney visit.
“Investigators can send requests for assistance through the NSW police system called BluePortal,” said TFO Ian Bennett. “These jobs tend to be non-urgent in nature and/or for lengthy and ongoing investigations.”
Urgent alerts activate one of two systems: the “duty crew” for patrol missions or the “rescue crew” for SAR operations. “When these alerts are activated, all available crew and pilots will assist the duty crew or rescue crew to get the aircraft airborne within minutes,” Bennett said.
Response times vary: within 15 minutes for the Sydney metropolitan area, up to 25 minutes for regional locations like the Central Coast or Wollongong, and 1.5 to 4.5 hours for remote areas such as Dubbo, Deniliquin, or Broken Hill.
In early 2024, PolAir upgraded to white phosphorus NVGs, enhancing nighttime SAR and winch operations. “This has greatly enhanced our capability when it comes to night operations,” said Sgt. TFO Brett Degenhardt.
Bell 429
PolAir was Australia’s first law enforcement agency to acquire Bell 429s, designated PolAir 1, 3, and 4. Built in 2020 and arriving in Australia in October 2021 through the Future Light Helicopter Program, these aircraft replaced the AS350, AS355, and EC135 models. They are expected to fly 750 hours annually.
The three Bell 429s can remain on station for over two hours and come equipped with a TrakkaBeam searchlight, a FLIR 380-HDc camera system, a Garmin G1000 system, a 600-pound (275-kilogram) rescue hoist, a life raft winch, and tactical radios — all installed on the factory line at Bell.
“The [Bell] 429 is a capable multi-role light twin aircraft,” said chief pilot Rod Clinch, who has flown platforms ranging from the Sikorsky S-70 to the Airbus H145. “It has good dash speed to reach tasks and very good endurance once on scene. It has great tail control margins for SAR ops while winching. This, combined with the electro-optics, makes the 429 a potent multi-role helicopter that meets our needs at PolAir.”
Bell 412
In addition to the Bell 429s, PolAir operates two Bell 412EPI helicopters: PolAir 5, which arrived in November 2014, and PolAir 2, delivered in April 2018. PolAir is the second operator of this variant worldwide.
The 412EPI features upgraded Pratt & Whitney PT6T-9 engines, a full-glass cockpit, and 600-lb (275-kg) hoists. The aircraft are primarily used for SAR, transport, and special tactical operations, integrating with the NSWPF’s TOU for fast-roping missions.
Each 412 is expected to log more than 205 flight hours per year. In 2021, the rear cabin was reconfigured to enhance SAR operations, incorporating permanent FLIR camera operator stations and a beacon tracker, along with an open floor space to facilitate rescues. The aircraft have a total seating capacity of nine.
A concept of operations for the future replacement of the 412s is nearing completion. The final decision will balance SAR and tactical requirements to best support current and future police operations.
UAVs
PolAir also operates DJI drones, including the M350, M300, Matrice 30T, and Mavic 3T, as well as Avata 2 and Mini 4 drones for indoor use. These UAVs have FLIR sensors and are used daily to aid helicopters in surveillance, search operations, and house-clearing missions.
“I am aware of one case where the drone was used to locate a deceased person, provide exact coordinates so the chopper could go directly to the location for recovery, which saved time and money,” Degenhardt said.
PolAir is integrating drone video feeds into its HD downlink system, expanding its capabilities for event monitoring and crowd management.
The future
As the sole law enforcement aviation unit in the state, PolAir is responsible for safeguarding a vast and diverse region. They achieve this through their expertise, strong partnerships, in-house training, state-of-the-art facilities, and a fleet of modern manned and unmanned aircraft.
For over four decades, PolAir has continually adopted new technologies and techniques to meet the evolving demands of metropolitan and regional growth across New South Wales. The unit aims to increase its annual flight hours from 4,500 to more than 5,000.
For extended coverage of the NSW Police Force Aviation Command, tune in to this Hangar Z Podcast episode hosted by Jon Gray.