PolAir - NSW Police Force Aviation Command

09/04/2026

Staff from the Aviation Command today met Rose Donald at the Little Wings Base at Bankstown Airport. Rose, aged 17 & sitting her year 12 exams this year, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the youngest female pilot to fly solo around Australia. Whist attempting to break the record she hopes to raise $100,000 for the Little Wings charity. Her trip will take around 80 flying hours and she will travel 15,000kms, at the end of the circumnavigation she should have enough experience qualify for a commercial pilots licence. From all of us at PolAir, we wish Rose all the best of luck in her journey. pilotrose.au littlewingsaustralia

21/02/2026

16/01/2026

POLAIR IN REGIONAL NSW

In January, New South Wales Police Force Aviation Command aircrews continue to support policing across regional NSW.

Aircrews have been successful in locating missing people in hard-to-reach locations, quickly responding to crime and assisting detectives with ongoing criminal investigations.

We were based for three nights in Tamworth for New Years Eve Celebrations. During the deployment, missing person searches were successfully undertaken in Duncans Creek and Hill Grove. We also quickly responded to 000 and other calls for service across the Tamworth and New England region.

PolAir has also been working on the North Coast, with operations in Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree and Port Macquarie regions. This included responding to high-risk incidents as well as response to crime and supporting local police with Operation Soteria, targeting stolen vehicles and trail bikes linked to serious criminal activity.

PolAir has provided ongoing support to the South of the State with patrols of Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith, as part of Operation Overwatch and Operation Mongoose, targeting high risk offenders and trail bikes involved in criminal activity. Together with local police, multiple offenders were arrested and motorbikes seized.

A BIG THANK YOU – to the amazing individuals and groups we work with in regional communities, who help us to deliver the outcomes on each visit, often in challenging conditions.

Oxley Police District

07/01/2026

BLUE MOUNTAINS RESCUE: On Tuesday night 6th January 2026, PolAir 2 - a NSW Police Force Bell 412 helicopter equipped with night vision technology, was tasked to the Blue Mountains after a report was received of a bushwalker lost in rugged terrain near Claustral Canyon. The bushwalker had set out earlier in the day and had become disoriented as daylight faded, with his phone battery critically low and weather conditions deteriorating.

The police aircrew using night vision goggles and the aircraft's FLIR camera located the bushwalker on a narrow track below a cliff line. He was uninjured and able to signal the crew. The PolAir aircrew officer, was safely winched to the ground, secured the bushwalker in a rescue harness, and both were winched back into the aircraft.

The man was airlifted to Mt Tomah, where PolAir 2 landed. The bushwalker was checked as a precaution by waiting NSW Ambulance Service Paramedics.


Blue Mountains Police Rescue - NSW Police Force NSW Ambulance

29/12/2025

On Boxing Day, police helicopter PolAir 2 conducted its annual patrol over the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race. The race start is always very busy on land, on the water and in the air. The aircraft is there to assist with coordination and respond to emergencies.

17/12/2025

POLAIR are currently advertising several positions for qualified pilots, engineers and technical staff within the NSWPF Aviation Command.

Please see the links below for details:

Head of Training & Checking - Fixed Wing – Closing Date 4/1/2026

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/head-of-training-checking-fixed-wing-556584

Training & Checking – Rotary Wing – Closing Date 28/12/2025

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/training-and-checking-pilot-rotary-wing-556246

Chief Engineer – Closing Date – 4/1/2026

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/chief-engineer-556467

Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Engine / Airframe – Rotary Wing – Closing Date 4/1/2026

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/licensed-aircraft-maintenance-engineer-engine-airframe-rotary-wing-556606

Technical Records Airworthiness Assessor (Maintenance Controller) – Closing Date 4/1/2026

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/technical-records-airworthiness-assessor-maintenance-controller-556605

17/12/2025

AVIATION COMMAND
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
Eastern Suburbs – Regular Patrols

On behalf of all pilots, crew, engineers and admin personnel; the Aviation Command sends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Eastern Suburbs community.

Over the coming days and nights POLAIR will be conducting regular flights across Sydney and the Eastern Suburbs.

These flights directly support and enhance public safety; and provide support to police on the ground in rapidly identifying and responding to incidents.

We thank the community for your support and understanding as we conduct these regular flights, with the knowledge and reassurance that we are there for the safety of your community during this time.

Chris Nicholson
Superintendent
Commander
Aviation Command

05/12/2025

This morning the crew of NSW Police Force helicopter PolAir 4 is patrolling North West Sydney supporting the ongoing response to Operation Enduro.

Whilst out and about PolAir 4 arrived overhead LH Waud Oval, Meadowbank Park just in time to observe one minute silence for 11 year old Nicholas Crisafulli who tragically lost his life to leukemia last week.

Nicholas was a keen cricketer and a valued team mate of the West Ryde Rovers Cricket Club.

Hats off to his team mates and rivals from Dundas United and St Patrick's, Strathfield who celebrated his life this morning.

Nicholas Crisafulli. Forever 11.

From your friends at PolAir.

30/11/2025

A man has been charged after allegedly pointing a laser at a Polair aircraft in Sydney’s southwest overnight, as police remind the public about the dangers of lasers.

About 12.40am today (Sunday 30 November 2025), a Polair aircraft was patrolling the Western Sydney area when a high-powered laser was pointed at the aircraft, causing the crew on board to take action to minimise its impact.

Polair, with the assistance from officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command, tracked the laser to a home on Martha Street, Clyde, where they arrested a 41-year-old man.

During the arrest, police allegedly located and seized small amounts of co***ne and methylamphetamine.

He was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with do act to threaten safety of aircraft/persons on board, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, prejudicing the safe operation of a Division 3 aircraft and possess prohibited drug (two counts).

The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Monday 17 December 2025.

Commander of Aviation Command, Superintendent Christopher Nicholson, is urging the public to use their common sense and not to endanger aircraft.

“Pointing lasers at aircraft is a serious risk to the safety of aircraft, its crew and potentially persons on the ground. Not only is it dangerous, but it is also a serious offence and one the NSWPF takes seriously” Supt Nicholson said.

“Anyone considering this should know there is no running or hiding once the act is committed and you will be located, arrested and prosecuted".

“Flying aircraft can be difficult at the best of times, I’m urging members of the public not to be responsible for making that job any more difficult.”

If you feel you have been a victim of a crime such as this, contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

29/11/2025

NSW Police Force Aeroplane - PolAir 8 is flying over the Newcastle area today to work with local police.

This photo was taken by the aircrew this morning.

26/11/2025

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE:

Farewell to Deputy Chief Pilot Special Constable Graeme Gleeson

After years of dedicated service to the NSWPF and people of NSW, today we said farewell to Special Constable Graeme Gleeson, who is retiring to spend valuable time with his family.

Graeme is 66. Almost 50 years ago to the day, Graeme obtained his pilot’s licence. Little did he know what he would go on to do with it.

In 1988 Graeme made a phone call to the NSW Police “Air Wing” enquiring about a job. He attended the base at the time, went for a check flight and was encouraged to apply to the NSW Police Force. Back then pilots went through the same training as all other police recruits. He applied, was successful, and joined Class 236 at the NSWPF Academy on 9 May 1988. Only a select few knew he was joining as a pilot.

As a result, like all other recruits, during his training Graeme was asked to select 3 locations he would like to be posted. He chose: Air Wing, Air Wing, Air Wing. He was quickly told that was not going to happen and to re-select three suitable locations. He chose Air Wing, Air Wing, Air Wing. Frustrated staff told him to be ready to end up “anywhere”.

Luckily for him, and for community, he ended up at the Air Wing. On day 1 he arrived diligently in his usual “two tones” and Probationers booklet only to be told he wouldn’t be needing those and to get changed into his flying suit.

Graeme has gone on to fly over 7,000 hours for the NSWPF. 5,000 of those in helicopters and another 2,000 in fixed wing - one of the rare breed, capable of flying both machines. During his service he has flown over 1 million kilometres throughout NSW and has seen the best and worst from the air.

Graeme’s service to community has not only been evident in his flying, but in the leadership he has provided to generations of pilots, crew and engineers who have come through Polair during his years of service.

Whilst his departure will be a loss to the NSWPF, he is very humbled by what he sees was a privilege to fly for the community of NSW. He believes there is no better job than to fly in service of community, in ensuring public safety, fighting crime and supporting front line police in doing their job.

Today, on his last day, Graeme being a great sport joined the Commander and our Chief Engineer to help commission the aircraft birdbath. He enjoyed it so much we think it may become a new tradition for all retiring PolAir staff.

We wish Graeme and his family all the best in retirement and thank him for his service to the Aviation Command.