Dyfed Powys Police could be getting a new police plane with the National Police Air Service.

Haverfordwest airport is the front runner to be home to a new Dyfed- Powys Police plane as part of controversial moves that could see the current force helicopter phased out.

Outlining plans for the National Police Air Service (NPAS) last week, Policing Minister Nick Herbert announced the reduction in police aircraft across the UK from 32 to 22 and the number of bases from 30 to 24, saving some £15million.

The Dyfed-Powys helicopter will continue to operate for two years from Pembrey, while a fixed wing aircraft pilot is carried out.

Haverfordwest is earmarked as a possible home for the new aircraft if the pilot is successful.

A briefing document says Pembrey is not suitable for a fixed wing aircraft therefore another base will have to be found for the trial and, potentially, the long term.

It adds: “Haverfordwest appears to the NPAS team to be the most suitable location for such a base from which to give 24-hour coverage for Dyfed-Powys, including Pembrokeshire.”

The document outlines the advantages of a fixed wing aircraft including longer range and flying hours, but notes the limitations of being less flexible in terms of landing.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said he was delighted Haverfordwest had been highlighted but said there was a lot of detail for Dyfed- Powys Police to work out.

“The airport in Haverfordwest is currently under utilised and it is well suited as a base for this type of service.

“Keeping police officers on the beat in our communities is the priority and I welcome any savings that can make this happen.”

But a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said the announcement raised concerns regarding the amount of coverage provided and highlighted that £1.52million had recently been spent on the base at Pembrey.

Article from Milford Mercury

New Danger Area D202 Aberporth

19:00 Thursday 26th January 2012

Pembrokeshire Flying Club will be hosting briefing evening to gain a better understanding of the new D202 range airspace and associated Aberporth Nats services. Dave Jackson from Nats will give the presentation It is anticipated that weekend usage will start in the coming spring and it will be to everybody’s advantage to gain a better understanding of what this involves and the services available.

Please advise John Fisher of Pembs Flying club of  your attendance. Details on how to do this are here: www.pembrokeshireflyingclub.co.uk

*Edit* 19.01.11.

D202 NATS meeting now in Welsh Spitfire Museum.

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If you are like the many other people in the county and cannot decide what to get the person that has everything.

Why not pick up a flight voucher for them?

From Haverfordwest Airport you have the choice of 2 different flights:

> Helicopter Flight

> Plane Flight

And if that doesn’t take your fancy, how about a Hot Air Balloon flight?

If you are interested in picking up a Helicopter flight, take a look at Fly Heli Wales and their great gift vouchers.

If you are interested in picking up a Plane flight, take a look at Fly Wales. You will need to contact them for more information

Finally, the other option, which is not at the airport but is only in Carmarthen, a unique chance to take a Hot Air Balloon flight.

If you are interested in a Hot Air Balloon Flight, visit Floating Sensations for more information.

Please send this to Facebook or Tweet about the page if you like it.

EXERCISE COBRA STRIKE – 27 NOV 11 – 4 DEC 11

This small scale exercise will consist of up to 10 mixed helicopters operating in pairs in LFA 7. Activity will take place between 0700- 1630 daily. There will be RW operating over the weekend of 27 Nov and 3-4 Dec 11.

Helicopters will look like the one below. The helicopters belong to the Army Air Corps.

Here is an example of what the helicopters operating around Pembrokeshire will look like.