...Title
Authorization to Develop a Police Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan
Description
This report requests the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee recommend City Council approval to allow the Police Department Air Support Unit (PPD) to develop an Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan that includes an assessment and recommendation from an aviation industry expert.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
Over the last year, the PPD has provided information to the City Council on Police aircraft long-term needs. The PPD has a total aircraft fleet of 10 units, which consists of five patrol helicopters, one twin engine (rescue) helicopter, three fixed-wing Cessnas, and one fixed-wing Pilatus PC-12.
The industry standard for helicopters is seven years. As aircraft age, maintenance and replacement of parts becomes extremely expensive. Replacing aircraft at regular intervals allows for the introduction of new technology and additional safety features and efficiencies. The department's first priority is to replace the patrol helicopters. The PPD would like to increase the patrol fleet from five to six helicopters to fully meet demands. The cost for a new helicopter is approximately $5.5 million, equating to a total of $33 million to obtain a new fleet of six helicopters. The PPD would like to add a twin engine helicopter and a Pilatus PC-12 to the fleet to support the operational needs of these aircraft. The cost to purchase a twin engine helicopter is approximately $10 million and the cost of a Pilatus PC-12 is approximately $9 million. The PPD would like to sell the three Cessnas and in return purchase the additional Pilatus PC-12. The sale of the Cessnas would save considerably in the design of a new hangar due to eliminating AVG fuel.
Maintenance on the aircraft fleet is part of the daily operations of the PPD Air Support Unit and is typically extensive. Scheduled maintenance is based on flight hours where specific components are inspected, repaired, and/or replaced. The age of the current fleet results in unscheduled maintenance, which is costly and difficult to budget. It also results in more frequent scheduled maintenance that increases costs. The frequency of unscheduled and scheduled maintenance also results in less the time the aircraft is operational. Aircraft down for maintenance requires modifying flight schedules and reducing flight hours. Recently, the twin engine helicopter was taken out of service for an unscheduled maintenance issue. With only one twin engine rescue helicopter, the PPD lost the alibility to conduct rescues utilizing the hoist, which is a critical component in the mountain rescues of injured hikers. Often the difference in saving a life depends on the time it takes to rescue the injured hiker. Twin engine rescues typically average less than 30 minutes from the time of deployment. Additionally, the current fleet is utilizing old technology such as steam gauges, outdated forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and computer mapping software. The current mapping software is a legacy program that has limited support and no updates to the maps. Currently new developed areas of the city do not appear on the mapping program, which is an officer safety issue.
In 2019, the Air Support Unit responded to approximately 444 calls for service from the Deer Valley Hangar due to the seriousness of the calls. The Air Support Unit did not respond to approximately 3,958 calls for service due to reduced flight hours.
The Air Support Unit will work on an Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan that will include a projection in the number of aircraft needed due to calls for service because of increased population and the development of newly incorporated areas. This plan will secure the future of the Air Support Unit for a minimum of 15 years.
Procurement Information
The shortage of aircraft is critically affecting Air Support Unit operations and it is imperative that a third-party industry expert is promptly procured. A procurement will be conducted to hire a consultant to review and provide recommendations including fleet prioritization to the Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan. The Aircraft Fleet Replacement Plan will be brought back to the Subcommittee for approval as part of this year's budget process. Once approved by the Subcommittee, the contract for an industry expert will be executed.
Contract Term
This is a one-time purchase.
Financial Impact
The aircraft fleet maintenance is funded by the General Fund and the Public Safety Specialty Funds. In FY2019-20, the budget for aircraft maintenance is $2.7 million. Early estimated costs for an expert consultant are $50,000. This amount will be revised based on the proposed amount prior to City Council approval.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Police Department.