About Us
The New York State Police Aviation Unit consists of four stations, with the headquarters located at the Albany International Airport. The stations are strategically located to provide maximum coverage of available aviation resources throughout the state. Other stations are located at Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake, Stewart International Airport in Newburgh and Greater Rochester International Airport. All stations are staffed with aircrew who provide full-service aerial support for responses to emergencies, as well as large-scale planned events.
History
The New York State Police Aviation Unit was formed in 1931 and consisted of only one fixed wing aircraft. It was discontinued a few years later. In 1967 the unit was reformed, and again consisted of only one single-engine aircraft, a Cessna 172. That airplane is still in service today. In 1998, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s flight department was merged into the State Police Aviation Unit. Today, the unit has over 40 pilots and 21 aircraft. The diversity of the unit’s missions requires it to fly both helicopters and fixed wing airplanes. The unit currently flies the following helicopters: Sikorsky S76D, Bell 407, Bell 430, and Bell UH-1 Huey. Additionally, the unit flies the following airplanes: Beechcraft King Air 250, Cessna 206, Cessna 172, and Partnavia P68.
Services Provided
The New York State Police Aviation unit provides a variety of services throughout the state.
Service to Police:
- Aerial support at emergency scenes and large-scale planned events
- Searches
- Surveillance
- Extradition
- Traffic Incident Management surveys
Lifesaving
- Medevac
- Rescue
Environmental Conservation
- Aerial fire suppression
- Wildlife surveys
- Fish stocking
- Illegal dumping