An Encounter with the Sheriff’s Department
EAA chapter 791 today held its monthly meeting at the Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s helicopter hangar. We had a wonderful two hour session touring the hangar and the adjoining parking yard for the emergency response (SWAT and other) vehicles.
The Department has four operational jet ranger helicopters on a staggered 100/200/300 hour maintenance schedule, plus two other JRs that are scavenged for parts. They have one civilian mechanic who handles everything other than instrument repairs.
All of the helicopters were military surplus and have been rebuilt, renovated, reconditioned and painted by the County. Several were previously used by the Columbian military.
The chairs were full during the Chapter meeting and a follow on presentation by one of the officer/pilots.
We heard a story about the time this officer while on a SWAT team support flight was repeatedly hit by a red laser beam – ground patrols were all tied – he set the helicopter down in a parking lot – ran five blocks and caught the perp. He could identify the person as the helicopters have FLIR (infrared cameras) and the pilots wear night vision goggles.
Then we watched a video (Click to see it on YouTube) that shows the performance of the FLIR camera. It is so sensitive that if a person spends time standing next to a wall and then moves on, the camera can read the heat that was transfered from the person to the wall. Similarly, automobile exhausts leave a heated trail on the ground showing their direction of travel, even on hot nights.
Finally, we toured the emergency response vehicle parking yard. The vehicle electrical systems are plugged in all the time. The department also has a large command system truck that keeps its air conditioner running while stored here awaiting a call.
I was Impressed that several of the vehicles and a canine training building were donated to the Department by an individual citizen and a community leadership association. Others were acquired from the military at nominal cost.
Knitting
Click here to see more of Dolly’s projects on Ravelry where her ID is DollyBambas.
Dolly has been crafting for more years than she cares to admit, and has switched back and forth among crocheting, tatting, sewing, macramé and cross stitch to name a few of her favorites. Right now, she is revisiting knitting and enjoying every minute of time spent with her needles and yarn.
For about a year, she focused on beaded lace shawls and is currently exploring the joy of socks. Lacey socks, cabled socks, socks with stranded colorwork: they all appeal to her. But Plane Jane socks she finds boring! Averaging a couple pair of socks a month, she usually has two or three pair on needles at a time, switching back and forth between them as the mood strikes.
Knitting is a skill that takes time and practice to learn. Over the years, many a project has been ripped out to start over or just totally abandoned and found its final resting place in the trash bin. It is all part of the learning process. The Internet allows her to explore new techniques easily. Looking for ways to expand her skills, Dolly is currently discovering different ways to turn a heel in socks. Amazingly enough, she has found more than 5 different methods! She is also improving her stranded knitting (designs knit with two or more colors at a time.)
Dolly belongs to a local knitting group where she enjoys companionship with other people who love making things with sticks and string. The group knits and crochets sweaters throughout the year and sends them to Knit for Kids (http://knitforkids.org) a charity that provides sweaters for children around the world. Dolly knits a sweater to donate about every 6 – 8 weeks. She is also a member of Ravelry, an online community for people who knit, crochet, weave and/or spin yarn.
Click here to see more of Dolly’s projects on Ravelry where her ID is dollyBambas.