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Here’s What It’s Like to Fly With a State Patrol

Washington troopers protect and serve from the air.

Routine patrols for Washington state troopers are around three to five hours at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet msl. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Becoming a Washington State Patrol (WSP) aviation officer typically requires beginning as a ground trooper, completing the WSP academy, and holding at least a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating.
  • WSP pilots utilize a fleet including Cessna 182s, 206s (equipped with FLIR and LoJack), and a King Air 200, primarily for law enforcement support, traffic patrol, deterring dangerous driving, and official transport.
  • Air missions involve a pilot who handles flight operations and a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) responsible for camera operation, ground communication, and establishing probable cause for ground units.
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Most pilots will tell you they enjoy their jobs. This is particularly true when the work involves making a positive difference in the community. Flying for state patrol is one of these flying jobs. These flying law enforcement officers pilot helicopters and airplanes in support of troopers on the ground.

But you don’t just walk off the street and get hired. For most flying LEOs, their career in the air division begins on the street as a state trooper.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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