Form CJ-38A 2007 Census of Law Enforcement Aviation Units

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS ADMINISTRATION
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
ACTING AS COLLECTION AGENT FOR

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Bureau of Justice Statistics

2007 CENSUS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AVIATION UNITS
Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Program
CONTACT INFORMATION
1. Name of Unit Commander (rank, first name, last name)

3. Respondent
telephone
number

Area code

Number

2. Name of individual completing this form (rank, first name, last name)

4. Respondent
FAX number

Area code

Number

GENERAL INFORMATION
• If you have any questions, call Nicole Adolph, U.S. Census Bureau, at 1–800–253–2078.
• Please complete the questionnaire before February 11, 2008.

INSTRUCTIONS
• Your agency is receiving this survey because it has been identified as operating a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter.
• The questionnaire should be completed for the specific agency listed on the cover of the survey packet. If your
aviation unit participates in a multijurisdictional task force or operates in conjunction with other air support
programs, please provide the name(s) of these units on the back page of the survey.
• Please answer each question by marking the appropriate box and/or by providing the requested information in
the space provided. In some cases you will be requested to skip certain questions based on your response.
• Please use calendar or fiscal year 2007 as the reference time frame for all questions referring to 2007.
Otherwise, use the last day of calendar or fiscal year 2007 as the reference date.
• If the answer to a question is "unknown," write "DK” in the space provided.
• If the answer to a question is "none" or "zero," write "0" in the space provided.

BURDEN STATEMENT
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to
a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to average one hour per response, including time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810
Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531.The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 3732), authorizes this information collection. This request for information is in accordance with
the clearance requirement of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as amended (44 U.S.C. 3507). Although this
survey is voluntary, we urgently need and appreciate your cooperation to make the results comprehensive,
accurate, and timely.
FORM

CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Section 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION
1. What is the official name of your aviation unit? (example: Maryland State Police Aviation Command)

2. From how many fixed-base points does your aviation unit operate?
If a precise figure is unavailable, please provide an estimate and mark (X) the checkbox. . . . . . . . . . . .
Provide three or four digit FAA airport identifiers, if applicable:

3. Describe the geographic coverage provided by your aviation unit: (examples: State of Maryland;
Cobb County, GA; City of Los Angeles)

4. Does your aviation unit provide 24-hour availability? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yes

No

5. In 2007, what were your aviation unit’s (or agency’s) annual expenditures in the following
categories? If precise figures are unavailable, please provide an estimate and mark (X) the checkbox.
a. Aircraft purchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

b. Aircraft leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

c. Aircraft financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

d. Aircraft maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

e. Aircraft fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Section 2 – EQUIPMENT
6. In 2007, did your aviation unit use any of the following types of aircraft?

YES

NO

a. Fixed-wing aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b. Helicopters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d. Light-sport aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. Ultralight aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
f. Powered parachutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
g. Other type (Please specify below) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7. Enter the number of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, used by
your agency, that were obtained through:

Fixed-wing

Helicopter

a. Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b. Government surplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c. Lease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d. Purchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. Other (Please specify) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
f. Total number of aircraft used (Sum of a through e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. Were any of the aircraft or helicopters listed in question 7 obtained during 2007?
If a precise figure is unavailable, please provide an estimate and mark (X) the checkbox.
Yes – If Yes, how many?
No
Page 2

FORM CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Section 2 – EQUIPMENT – Continued
9.
of youror
total
aircraft or
helicopters
fall intoduring
the following
ranges:
8. What
Were percentage
any of the aircraft
helicopters
listed
in #7 obtained
the pastage
12 months?
If a 1precise
figure
is unavailable,
a.
year old
or less
. . . . . . . . .please
. . . . . provide
. . . . . . an
. . .estimate
. . . . . . and
. . . .mark
. . . . (X)
. . .the
. . .checkbox.
....................

%

b. 13 months to 5 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

%

c. 61 months to 10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

%

d. 121 months to 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

%

e. Older than 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL of a–e should equal 100%
9.
Are
any
of
the
aircraft
used
by your aviation unit equipped with any of the following?
10.

%
YES
YES

NO
NO

a. FLIR with video camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
a.
FLIR with
video
camera
. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
b. FLIR
without
video
camera
b.
FLIR without
video camera
c. Night
vision compatibility
..........................................................
d. Searchlight
........
c.
Night Vision .Goggles
e. External
cargo
d.
Searchlight
. . .hook
. . . . .. ..
f. External hoist . . . . . . .
e. External cargo hook . .
g. Public address system
f. External hoist . . . . . . .
h. Mobile data terminal . .
g. Public Address System
i. Downlink (digital) . . . .
h.
Mobile Data
Terminal
j. Downlink
(analog)
. . . ..

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Section 3
3 –– FUNCTIONS
FUNCTION
Section
10.
11. Enter
Enter the
the total
total number
number of
of flight
flight hours
hours and
and missions
missions flown
flown for
for all
all aircraft
aircraft operated
operated by
by your
your
aviation
unit
during
the
past
12
months:
aviation unit during 2007:
Fixed-wing
Helicopter
Other aircraft
If
Fixed-wing
Helicopter
Other aircraft
If your
your unit
unit does
does not
not track
track missions,
missions, please
please mark
mark (X)
(X) this
this box
box
a. Total
Total flight
flight hours
hours .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
a.
b. Total missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11. During the past 12 months, did your unit perform the following functions using fixed-wing
12. During 2007, did your unit perform the following functions
aircraft and/or helicopters?
Fixed-wing
Helicopter
using fixed-wing aircraft and/or helicopters?
Function
FUNCTION

YES

a.
a. Routine patrol/patrol support
b.
b. Speed enforcement . . . . . .
c.
c. Traffic enforcement . . . . . . .

l.
l. Personnel transport . . .
m.
m. VIP flights . . . . . . . . . .
n.
n. Pilot training . . . . . . . . .
o.
o. SWAT operations . . . . .

YES

NO

...........................................
...........................................
...........................................

d.
d. Medical support/evacuation . . .
e.
e. Firefighting/fire support . . . . . .
f.
f. Search and rescue . . . . . . . . .
g.
g. Surveillance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
h.
h. Photographic . . . . . . . . . . .
i.
i. Drug location/interdiction . . .
j.
j. Fugitive searches . . . . . . . .
k.
k. Prisoner transport . . . . . . . .

NO

.........................................
.........................................
.........................................
.........................................

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...........................................

..............................................
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..............................................
p.
p. Cargo/load operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FORM CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Page 3

Section 3 – FUNCTIONS – Continued
13. Does your aviation unit engage in the following activities? If yes, please enter the
number of times the functions were performed during 2007. If you do not track this information,
enter "DK" for "don’t know" in the box. If you are providing an estimate, put an asterisk (*) next to
the number.
a. General operations

YES

NO

(1) Respond to calls for service or requests for assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Direct assistance to ground units in arrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) Searches using thermal imagery camera equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) Vehicle following/pursuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) Foot pursuit/chases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6) Traffic enforcement citations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7) DUI arrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8) Stolen vehicle recoveries (e.g., LoJack tracking) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(9) Photo flights (for crime scene investigation, land layout prior to a raid, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . .
b. Homeland security
Counterterrorism missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Include missions flown in support of critical facility checks (buildings, ports, harbors,
public utilities, inland waterways, oil refineries, bridges and spans, water
storage/reservoirs, National/State monuments, water treatment plants, irrigation facilities,
airports, natural resources)
c. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operations
(1) Tactical insertions of SWAT members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Tactical insertions via helicopter skid deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) Tactical insertions via fast rope/rappel deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) Incidents involving Airborne Use of Force (AUF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d. Air ambulance or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations
(1) Searches for lost or stranded hikers, skiers, boaters, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Hoist rescues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) Other rescue missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) Air responses to on-scene medical emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) Transports to medical facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. Surveillance operations
(1) Counternarcotics missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Other criminal activity surveillance missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
f. Prisoner transport
(1) Prisoner air transport missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Extraditions conducted using unit aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
g. Firefighting
(1) Missions flown in support of firefighting operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 4

FORM CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Section 4 – PERSONNEL
14. Are pilots in your aviation unit required to be sworn law enforcement officers?
(if your unit does not operate fixed-wing planes or helicopters, please mark (X) NA.)
a. Fixed-wing pilots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yes

No

NA

b. Helicopter pilots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yes

No

NA

15. Are pilots required to have a minimum number of years of law
enforcement experience?
Yes – Please enter the number of years:
If yes, does this experience have to be with your agency?

Yes

No

No
16. Are any of the pilots in your aviation unit Certificated Flight Instructors?
Yes

No

17. Are pilot candidates required to hold pilot ratings prior to joining your aviation unit?
Yes

No

18. What are the minimum ratings and flight-time requirements for new pilot candidates to
be employed by or assigned to your aviation unit and act as Pilot in Command (PIC) —
a. Fixed-wing PIC:
NA, no
fixed-wing
pilots
No minimum
ratings or
requirements
for pilot
candidates

Private
SEL

Commercial
SES

Instrument
MEL

ATP
MES

Other ratings/endorsements:
Total flight time:

Instrument:

PIC fixed-wing:

Turbine:

PIC multi-engine:

Night flying:

Other time:

b. Helicopter PIC:
NA, no
helicopter
pilots

Private
SEL

Commercial
SES

Instrument
MEL

ATP
MES

Other ratings/endorsements:
No minimum
ratings or
requirements
for pilot
candidates

Total flight time:

Instrument:

PIC helicopter:

Turbine:

PIC multi-engine:

Night flying:

Other time:
19. Does your aviation unit (or agency) pay for any of the following training?
a. Initial pilot training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yes

No

b. Advanced pilot ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yes

No

c. Recurrent training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yes

No

FORM CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Page 5

Section 4 – PERSONNEL – Continued
20. How often do pilots in your aviation unit receive the following types of training?
Mark (X) all that apply.
Other –
Monthly Bimonthly Quarterly Biannually Annually
Specify

N/A

a. In-house recurrent training . . .
b. Factory recurrent training . . . .
c. Unit check-rides . . . . . . . . . . .
d. Other training – please specify

21. How many personnel are presently assigned to or employed by your aviation unit? (If personnel
fall into more than one category, please include
each only once in the category that best applies.)
Non-sworn
Sworn
Contractors
agency personnel
agency personnel
Full-time

Part-time

Full-time

Part-time

Full-time

22. Does your aviation unit have a designated Safety Officer?

Yes

No

23. Does your aviation unit have a designated manual?

Yes

No

Part-time

a. Pilots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b. Observers or TFOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c. Paramedics/EMTs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d. A/P Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. Administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
f. Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
g. TOTAL
(Sum of a through f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 5 – SAFETY

24. How often does your aviation unit conduct safety meetings?
Mark (X) one only.
Monthly
Bimonthly
Quarterly

Biannually
Annually
Other –Specify

NA

25. Enter the total number of aviation accidents involving aircraft used by your unit during...
(Include any incidents in which the aircraft(s) caused damage or injury, or was damaged during use)
Fixed-wing

Helicopter

Other aircraft

a. 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b. 2003–2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26. Does your aviation unit have insurance coverage from a private insurer?
Yes – insurance coverage is:
No

Page 6

Hull only

Liability only

Hull and liability

FORM CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Section 6 – AIRCRAFT USE AMONG AREA AGENCIES
27. Aircraft use among area agencies
If you are familiar with any other area law
enforcement agencies or task forces which either
operate their own fixed-wing planes or helicopters or
have access to planes or helicopters on a contractual
basis, please provide the name(s) of the
agency/unit/task force in the space below.

END OF CENSUS FORM.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Please feel free to add any additional
comments in the space provided below.
Comments

a. First additional agency

b. Second additional agency

c. Third additional agency

d. Fourth additional agency

e. Fifth additional agency

FORM CJ-38A (12-19-2007)

Page 7