NPAS The National Police Air Service

[lbaspotter]

The National Police Air Service has just confirmed it will be moving it's fixed wing operations to Leeds Bradford Airport due to the closer of Doncaster Sheffield.

Temporary relocation of the NPAS fixed wing fleet | National Police Air Service

Wednesday 16 November 2022 The National Police Air Service fixed wing operations will temporarily relocate to Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) as a result of the closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).

www.npas.police.uk

Temporary relocation of the NPAS fixed wing fleet​

Wednesday 16 November 2022
The National Police Air Service fixed wing operations will temporarily relocate to Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) as a result of the closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).

The final operational flight left the DSA airfield on the evening of Tuesday 15 November 2022 to assist South Yorkshire Police and Lincolnshire Police.

The move has no impact on the NPAS helicopter fleet, which continues to provide air support from 14 bases across England and Wales.

The move to LBA follows Peel Group’s decision to close the airport, terminating the NPAS lease at DSA.

It is a short-term arrangement to allow sufficient time for NPAS to identify a more suitable permanent base for the crew and aircraft.

NPAS Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Chief Supt Vicki White said: “Termination of our lease at Doncaster Sheffield Airport was very much against our wishes.

“We are doing all we can to minimise disruption as we move operations temporarily to Leeds Bradford Airport.

“We expect that all the extra costs created by the early termination of our lease will be met by Doncaster Sheffield Airport.”

Since 1 April 2022 (to 10 November 2022), the fixed wing crews have been deployed 648 times, in support of 41 different police forces, with a total flying time of 515 hours.
They have achieved a positive outcome rate of 92.3%.

Currently, a Base Manager, six Tactical Flight Officers and four pilots are employed in the fixed wing team. They will all relocate to the temporary Leeds base.

There are plans to recruit additional pilots in the future.

Arrangements have been put in place for planned engineering on the fixed wing aircraft to be carried out, when required, at LBA and also at Bournemouth Airport (BOH).

NPAS’s fleet of four aeroplanes operate alongside a fleet of 19 helicopters.

The aeroplanes have the capability of remaining airborne for up to eight hours and provide air support across the whole of England and Wales.

Work continues to identify a permanent new base for the fixed wing fleet.

 

[752]

Interesting, where will they be parked/based? Be great if it could be a permanent option..

 

[lbaspotter]

Interesting, where will they be parked/based? Be great if it could be a permanent option..

My guess they will be operating from Multiflight on southside.

 

[Bigman]

A few more new visitors to COP then

 

[LBA4EVER]

Lotsa heliCOPters about then!

 

[Seasider]

Will Multiflight be able to COPe?

 

[mdobuk21]

POLW and POLX en route from DSA

 

[Finger66]

How you lot can ever criticise my jokes is beyond me lol. Suppose I COPped for them all didnt I! Good news though and let's hope it can become permanent. Does that mean we might get the next COP summit in Leeds!

 

[Bigman]

I wonder what will happen when they are subjected to laser attacks as seem to happen every now and then?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I wonder what will happen when they are subjected to laser attacks as seem to happen every now and then?

Call the police?

 

[Len Fish]

And they say pigs can’t fly!

 

[tonysmith]

And they say pigs can’t fly!

Naughty Naughty

 

[Finger66]

Heard they have reduced landing fees too and they are only paying coppers!

 

[Len Fish]

Finger 66, please provide a copy of an Old Bill to prove your statement.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Heard they have reduced landing fees too and they are only paying coppers!

When flying at night, are they paid Copper Nitrate?

Kevin

 

[Finger66]

That brings a whole new element to proceedings. But KF I have to give you that one - it really did make me laugh

 

[LBAYORKIE]

When flying at night, are they paid Copper Nitrate?

Kevin

Least cheesy play on words we have had for ages.

 

[Len Fish]

Would NPAS flights between 11.00 and 07.00 count towards the night flying quota and eat into the number available for “normal” flights or would they be exempt due to their “emergency” nature?

 

[Aviador]

Would NPAS flights between 11.00 and 07.00 count towards the night flying quota and eat into the number available for “normal” flights or would they be exempt due to their “emergency” nature?

No they wouldn't be counted as prop flights are exempt.

 

[752]

Do we know how the Police are getting on at LBA IE are they happy? seems a good little operation and extra income for the airport. read elsewhere that 2 EXCEL was looking into maybe moving the B727 from MME to HUY.