Aircraft Type | Total Del’d | Total Active | Still on Order | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Ecureuil | 10 | 8 | 0 | Utility |
Aerospatiale SA 341F Gazelle | ? | ? | 0 | Liaison |
Aerospatiale AS 365N2 Dauphin 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Transport |
The Website for Aviation Enthusiasts
Aircraft Type | Total Del’d | Total Active | Still on Order | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Ecureuil | 10 | 8 | 0 | Utility |
Aerospatiale SA 341F Gazelle | ? | ? | 0 | Liaison |
Aerospatiale AS 365N2 Dauphin 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Transport |
Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospatiale SA 316B Alouette III | 6 | 2005 | 2010 | Swiss AF |
Aerospatiale SA 341F Gazelle | ? | 2006 | current | ALAT? |
Aerospatiale AS 350 Ecureuil | 3 | 2005 | 2011 | France |
Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Ecureuil | 10 | 2009 | current | France |
Aerospatiale AS 365N2 Dauphin 2 | 5 | 19?? | current | France |
Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Ecureuil | 3 | 2009 | current | France |
Aerospatiale AS 350B3e Ecureuil | 3 | 2015 | current | France |
Bell ??? | 2 | 20?? | 20?? | USA |
Click on aircraft type for more details.
Serial/Reg’n | c/no. | Type | Fate |
---|---|---|---|
P2-POL | 53338 | Bell 407 | sold |
P2-POM | 164 | De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter | to VH-XFM |
History
Narrative Summary
The civilian French National Police Force is known as the Police Nationale. Air support is normally provided by the Securite Civile or Gendarmerie. In 2006 a helicopter was borrowed from the Securite Civile, and a Cessna aircraft obtained on lease, to evaluate the usefulness of direct air support. The evaluation was carried out by the Police aux Frontières (PAF, Border Police) directorate of the Police Nationale. Both the aircraft and helicopter were later returned.
Key Dates
9 July 1966 | Police Nationale formed from Sûreté Nationale | |
12 July 2006 | First helicopter received – AS.350B | |
? 2006 | First fixed-wing aircraft delivered – Cessna Caravan | |
mid 2008 | Helicopter returned to previous owner |
Current Status
The Police Nationale no longer use any aircraft.
Future Plans
No plan known.
Markings
Special Markings
PN aircraft operated in civil markings with no national insignia. Additionally, the title POLICE was also carried on the fuselage sides.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
French Police helicopters and aircraft carried civil registrations in the sequence assigned to the Securite Civile, eg: AS.350 F-ZBEA.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospatiale AS.350B Ecureuil | 1 | July 2006 | 2008 | Securite Civile |
Cessna F406 Caravan II | 1 | 2006 | 2007 | leased |
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service: None known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Direction Générale de la Police Nationale, Place Beauvau, 75008 Paris, France.
Organisational Structure
A bureau de la police aéronautique (Office of Police Aviation) oversaw the evaluation within the PAF of the Police Nationale.
Current Unit Assignments
Not applicable
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
Not applicable.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The helicopter was based at Toussus le Noble for the evaluation.
More Information
Books
French Aviation Bibliography – to be added
Magazines
No feature articles known.
Websites
Official French Police webpage
wikipedia: National Police(France)
airliners.net
Les hélicoptères de la POLICE
History
Narrative Summary
The Cyprus Police operates a small fleet of Bell helicopters, together with a Britten-Norman Islander fixed-wing aircraft. Unlike the National Guard, the police force contains no mainland Greeks.
The Cyprus Police Aviation Unit (C.P.A.U) was established on the 10th June 2008, having previously operated as the ‘Cyprus Police Air Wing’ from 1989.
Key Dates
1960 | Cyprus Police first established. | |
June 1989 | Police Air Wing first established. | |
10 June 2008 | CPAW renamed Cyprus Police Aviation Unit. |
Current Status
Cyprus Police aircraft and helicopters are primarily used by the Ministry of the Interior for various tasks: VIP transport, transport of various cargo and special police units, border monitoring, SAR missions, medevac and traffic surveillance.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
Special Markings
The CPAU aircraft and helicopters initially flew in a white, yellow and azure blue colour scheme, with the national flag carried as a fin flash. The service titles ‘POLICE’ were carried on the fuselage sides. The AW139s were delivered in 2010 in a new white and dark blue colour scheme, which is more police-like, with the Cyprus Police logo on the fin and POLICE titles on the fuselage sides. The existing fleet is gradually being repainted to match these colours.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
All police aircraft carry serial numbers with the prefix ‘CP’, for Cyprus Police, eg: CP-4.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Click on aircraft type for more details
Aircraft Type | Total Del'd | Total Now | Still On Order | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|
AgustaWestland AW139 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Utility |
Bell 412 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Policing |
All-Time Aircraft Used List
Click on aircraft type for more details
Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Retirement | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
AgustaWestland AW139 | 2 | 2010 | current | Italy |
Bell 412 | 2 | 1992 | current | USA |
Britten-Norman BN-2T Islander | 1 | 1990 | 2012 | UK |
Aircraft NOT Used
Four more Bell 412EP/SP helicopters were ordered in 2000 but were embargoed.
Two Mil Mi-172 were reportedly due for delivery in 2007. One was photographed pre-delivery coded CP-08. These helicopters were not delivered.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Cyprus Police, Nicosia.
Organisational Structure
The Police Aviation Unit has no sub-ordinate units.
Current Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
All aircraft and helicopters are based at Larnaca Airport.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
As above.
More Information
Books
Cyprus Aviation Bibliography – to be added
Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces (Aerospace, 1999) p.170
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.5 p.142
Air Forces Monthly August 1996
Websites
Wikipedia: Cyprus Police
Official Website
wikipedia: Cyprus Police Aviation Unit
Jetphotos.net
History
Two AW139 ordered in January 2009. Delivered on 26 November 2010.
Individual Details
Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
CP-6 | 31323 | I-RIAR | 26 Nov 2010 | |
CP-8 | 31325 | I-RIAU | 26 Nov 2010 |
Pictures
None at present.
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.
History
The BN-2T (BN.2B-20) Turbine Islander is a robust maritime surveillance aircraft used by the Cyprus Police and armed forces to perform airborne recon and command roles. Only one aircraft of this specific type was in use, acquired in 1990, and was regularly observed performing anti-terrorist and anti-smuggling operations. It was retired in March 2012.
Individual Details
Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
CP-1 | 2207 | 5B-CPA | 16 June 1990 | ex G-BPLO, G-CYPP. Wfu Mar 2012. |
Pictures
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.
History
The Bell 412EP is the most technologically modern rotor aircraft in Cypriot service. It has greatly increased range and performance over the Bell UH-1H, is equipped with twin-engines instead of one, and can carry up to 14 passengers or 2 patient litters.
One Bell 412SP was obtained in 1992, followed by one Bell 412EP in 1997. Both aircraft operate in the SAR role and are equipped with a rescue hoist, a Loud Hailer, emergency floats and other items for police work.
Individual Details
Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
CP-2 | 33202 | 5B-CPB | Feb 1992 | Bell 412SP, ex-Cyprus Govt, ex N3216P |
CP-4 | 36155 | N72335 | 4 June 1997 | Bell 412EP, not ex-N395AL |
Pictures
More Information
References
Other Sources
To be added.