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

Washington troopers protect and serve from the air.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, June 16, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

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

Key Takeaways:

State patrol pilots are law enforcement officers who primarily support ground troopers, with a unique hiring requirement often involving initial service as a ground trooper before joining the aviation division.
The Washington State Patrol's aviation unit uses aircraft like Cessna 206s equipped with FLIR cameras and LoJack systems to conduct missions such as traffic patrol, identifying dangerous drivers, and locating stolen vehicles.
Each mission typically involves a pilot focused on flying and a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) responsible for operating surveillance equipment, coordinating with ground units, and establishing probable cause for incidents.

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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.