Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| South Australia Police Air Wing |
| English Title: |
| South Australia Police Air Wing |
| Abbreviation: |
| SAPOL |
| First Established: |
| n/a |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| Australia |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
Unlike the other police services of Australia, the South Australia Police (SAPOL) does not appear to have established a fixed wing aircraft unit. A helicopter appears to have been in use by 1980. At present, it occaisionally uses an EC120 helicopter from the State Rescue Helicopter Service, which operates under Motor Accident Commission (MAC) colours. This gives South Australia the poorest police air support of any Australian state.
Key Dates
| 19?? | First helicopter leased. | |
| May 1980 | State Rescue Helicopter Service established. |
Current Status
The SAPOL uses an EC120 from the State Rescue Helicopter Service on an ‘as required’ basis.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
National Insignia
The helicopter operates in Motor Accident Commission (MAC) colours.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The MAC helicopters carry Australian civil aircraft registrations, with the last two letters ‘SA’ for South Australia, eg. EC120 VH-OSA.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable – aircraft are administered by the State Rescue Helicopter Service.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
Not applicable – see above.
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
No losses known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
South Australia Police, 100 Angas Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.
Organisational Structure
The SAPOL does not have a dedicated aviation unit.
Current Unit Assignments
No subordinate units.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
No applicable.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
As above.
More Information
Books
None known.
Magazines
To be added
Websites
wikipedia: South Australia Police
State Rescue Helicopters