[Scan-DC] Re:Volunteer Gets New 800 Mhz Prince William Conty Radio-

[Marcel]

Roger Dat-

john wilson wrote:

>     In my opinion he was made an auxillary deputy for the purpose of the Sheriff's
> Office having access to the helicopter and his flight services.  As an auxillary deputy
> he is a law enforcement agent of  the county.  Therefore not only is he, the aircraft
> owner,m legally liable for any negligent flight activities, the county also is at legal
> risk of a lawsuit for any such actions performed in his "official" capability.
> Helicopters have the guide slope of a brick.  This is a very risky decision by the
> county SO.
>
> Marcel wrote:
>
>> Sheriff's Office takes to the sky
>> By Sarah L. Greenhalgh
>> 04/22/2003
>>
>> It caused quite a stir in Old Town.
>>
>> The little green helicopter landed next to the
>> Verizon building off Lee Street on Monday
>> afternoon, drawing a crowd of gawkers.
>> Many of them were law enforcement officials
>> from the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office.
>>
>> Their newest secret weapon was revealed.
>>
>> Owned and piloted by Sheriff's Office
>> special auxiliary deputy Sgt. Kevin Rychilk,
>> this new addition is costing the residents of
>> Fauquier County exactly zero dollars.
>>
>> "It's completely free," Sheriff Joe Higgs said,
>> admiring his new aerial vehicle. "It costs the taxpayers and the county nothing.
>> Kevin is donating his services to the department. It will be used to locate missing
>> children, Alzheimer's patients who have wandered off, and for mercy flights."
>>
>> Rychilk, a former Prince William law enforcement officer, bought the $350,000
>> fuel-injected Robinson R44 Raven II for himself.
>>
>> "I didn't buy it for the department," Rychilk said. "It's for me. Flying is a hobby of
>>
>> mine."
>>
>> Rychilk, who is a former motorcycle officer of seven years, is now president and
>> CEO of Security Associates LTD, a firm that specializes in electronic security. He
>> is also a certified instructor of criminal justice.
>>
>> His work with the Sheriff's Office is strictly volunteer. A Prince William resident,
>> Rychilk recently moved closer to Fauquier to do more volunteer work for the
>> Sheriff's Office.
>>
>> The cost of maintaining, insuring and fueling the helicopter is all on Rychilk.
>>
>> "This helicopter is not going to be flying every day," Rychilk said. "It's for
>> emergency use only as a support system for the Sheriff's Office.
>>
>> "We are there for missing people or as aerial support for a big event. We may do
>> some mercy flights, taking organs to hospitals or cancer patients to get special
>> treatments."
>>
>> In addition, Rychilk said he would like to teach a few educational programs,
>> showing the helicopter and its role in law enforcement.
>>
>> Eye in the sky
>>
>> Currently, Fauquier County has to rely on Prince William's busy State Police
>> helicopter, which is not always readily available.
>>
>> "We hope to be in the air and ready in about 20 minutes," Rychilk said.
>>
>> The four-seater Robinson R44 flies at about 140 knots. It is a 2003 factory-made
>> model and has only about 80 hours on it.
>>
>> Similar to the Robinson R22 trainer, this helicopter is faster and much easier to
>> handle.
>>
>> "Robinson is one of the most reliable and safest of helicopters," Rychilk said.
>>
>> Since the Robinson is an FAA-certified visual flight-only vehicle, Rychilk said he
>> will be in service as long as he can see to fly.
>>
>> While it does not have the heat-seeking Flare System like the State Police,
>> Rychilk said he is equipping the helicopter with a large spotlight, and infrared
>> goggles for night searches.
>>
>> The helicopter will also have both the regular radio system and the new 800-MHz
>> system, and will also have a Global Positioning System with a grid search mapping
>> capability.
>>
>> Rychilk has been a pilot for about four years. He will be assisted on most flights by
>> certified instructor Jerry Reynolds, who is a 20-year veteran of the sport.
>>
>> "Between the two of us we are bringing a lot of combined experience to the table,"
>> Rychilk said.
>>
>> While his decision to invest in the helicopter was mostly to feed his hobby,
>> Rychilk's choice to loan his services to the Sheriff's Office was much more
>> personal.
>>
>> "I have a great deal of respect for Joe Higgs," Rychilk said. "He is probably one of
>> the most respected sheriffs in the state. There are 660 square miles in this county.
>> We hope to help in whatever way we can."
>>
>> http://www.zwire.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsi
>> =7792667&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506066&rfi=6
>


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