FAQs

Skip to content Skip to site navigation

You are here:

Pilot

What is the police helicopter doing over my house?
If you see or hear the police helicopter in your area, please feel reassured.

The helicopter plays a vital role in protecting you and your community, making Thames Valley safer by protecting life and property, detecting and preventing crime, and reducing disorder. It is always deployed for important operational reasons – day or night.

View the recent jobs section for further information on tasks that the helicopter and crew perform.

How fast does the helicopter go?
The manufacturer’s maximum recommended speed that we should not exceed is 175 mph.

Why are the helicopters the colour that they are?
The helicopter is the colour it is so that it can be seen by other aircraft when flying. The yellow shows up against the ground to an aircraft above while the dark blue shows up well against the sky to an aircraft below it.

Do police officers fly the helicopter?
No. The pilots are contractors and are nearly all ex-military. It is felt that the experience gained while flying for the military is invaluable for police flying work.

How are police officers selected to join the Unit?
They need to have completed their probationary period and passed a comprehensive selection process including written and practical tests culminating in flight tests and final interview.

Do you ever land and arrest people?
There are occasions where the crew have to land and arrest people when the nearest ground units are too far away. Likewise, the crew also land if they have found a missing person in similar circumstances, to airlift an injured person, or to effect a rescue if someone is in trouble, for example in water.