Police Aviation Services

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

I wish to make a request for documents pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. My request is for documents that the Authority holds in relation to the transfer of the contract for the provision of pilotage services, from Police Aviation Services Limited to PremiAir Aviation Services Limited. The contract was awarded to PremiAir on 22nd October 2009 and the transfer took effect from 1 April 2010.

I set out below a number of questions, which will assist you in identifying the specific documents that I require.

Sections 16 and 17 of the Request for Quotation document, which was issued to Police Aviation and PremiAir in mid 2009, increased the NPIA Framework Arrangement minimum helicopter flying experience requirement from 1500 flying hours (500 pilot in command) to 2000 flying hours (1500 pilot in command).

Why were these long standing requirements increased?

Why was there such a significant increase, particularly for pilot in command hours?

Who took the decision to increase the minimum requirements and when was the decision taken?

Were the NPIA involved or was any specialist advice taken?

Prior to the issue of the Request for Quotation document, the Unit Executive Officer of the Air Support Unit and her Deputy had discussions with me during which I provided details of my flying hours. At the time I had 1830 helicopter flying hours and 1460 pilot in command.

Was the decision to increase the minimum flying hours requirement related to the number of flying hours which I held at the time, with the intention of preventing the continuation of my employment in the event of a change of service provider?

You should provide me with all documents that the Authority holds or that are within its control, including but not limited to emails, letters, memos, file notes and minutes/notes of meetings, related to the above questions.

In accordance with section 1(1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: The Freedom of Information Act requires public authorities when dealing with a request for information to state whether they hold the information requested and if so to provide copies of the information unless an exemption applies. This means the provision of copies of recorded information.

In respect of the whole of your request we have already supplied you with copies of the RFQ for Pilotage and the Helicopter Pilotage Agreement. Apart from one email there is no other recorded information relating to your request and no documents that you specify exist.

The email in question is from the Air Support Unit to the procurement officer and is as follows:

I have made some enquiries with surrounding forces and I think that we should set our requirements as

Line pilots

CAA ATPL(H) or JAR CPL(H)

Minimum helicopter experience

2000 hours 1500 PiC

1000 twin turbine

200 Night 50 PiC

500 On shore

significant low flying and mountain experience, Police and NVIS experience desirable

minimum may be adjusted on agreement of UEO is pilot has experience in other areas of interest to the police

Chief Pilot -as above but with relevant managerial experience