P.O. Box 3369
Anaheim, CA 92803-
3369
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: MARCH 4, 2025
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH HELISTREAM, INC. FOR
FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 13
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, (i) approve the Agreement with HeliStream, Inc., for flight training services, in an annual amount not to exceed $150,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $600,000, for a one-year term with three (3) one-year optional renewals; and (ii) authorize the Chief of Police to execute any related documents to implement and administer the agreement.
DISCUSSION:
In December 2024, the Police Department issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the OpenGov bidding platform to establish a contract for flight training services. The Anaheim Police Department Air Support Unit selects new members who typically have no flight training. Primary flight training is necessary for each new member to obtain a private pilot’s certificate (rotorcraft). Such training is conducted by third party Federal Aviation Administration Certified Flight Instructors (CFI’s) at a local airport within the County of Orange in a third-party aircraft. After the completion of private pilot training, each student works with in-house CFI’s to be trained in the safe operation of City of Anaheim owned aircraft. During the course of this phase of training, the student obtains a commercial pilot’s certificate (rotorcraft). Subsequent required training in emergency procedures is conducted annually for each pilot in addition to other specified training, as needed.
Eleven vendors were notified of the RFP, four vendors registered as potential applicants, and one vendor, HeliStream, Inc., submitted a proposal.
The Police Department is requesting approval for initial, specialized and advanced helicopter pilot training from HeliStream, Inc. (HeliStream). HeliStream provides qualified instructor pilots, aircraft and equipment, and insurance to complete this training to our rigorous standards. In addition, HeliStream also provides local facilities so the Department is able to avoid the cost of sending pilots to remote training facilities requiring travel and lodging. Although the Department’s CFI’s conduct regular and Approve the Agreement with HeliStream, Inc. for Flight Training Services March 4, 2025
recurrent flight instruction for the pilots within the Air Support Unit, there are areas of flight training wherein it is more prudent to use HeliStream’s expertise and aircraft.
The first of these areas is primary instruction for a private rotorcraft license. HeliStream utilizes smaller aircraft that are less expensive to fly for this initial phase of training. It is more cost effective to have them conduct this training.
The second is emergency procedure training that entails the simulation of certain in- flight events that require the immediate safe landing of the aircraft. These instances include, but are not limited to: simulated engine or transmission failure, tail rotor failure and hydraulic system failure. To become proficient in these procedures, pilots are required to simulate the events to their ultimate conclusion safely on the ground.
HeliStream is the prudent vendor for this invaluable training for two significant reasons.
First, their instructor pilots are highly qualified to provide this instruction, some of which requires hands-on teaching. HeliStream flight instructors have thousands of hours of experience, many of which are devoted to these specific maneuvers. They are experts and our pilots are more proficient because of the instruction they have received from them over the past several years. Second, HeliStream not only provides the instructors but they provide the aircraft as well. Some of these maneuvers result in harder than normal landings and using HeliStream’s fully insured helicopters avoids subjecting the City’s aircraft to undue wear and tear and the resulting increases in maintenance costs.
HeliStream is the only local company that provides this type of training in their own aircraft.
The initial contract term is February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026, with an annual not-to- exceed amount of $150,000.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Police Department’s FY 2024/25 General Fund budget. Subsequent years’ renewals will be subject to City Council approval of budget appropriations.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick P. Armendariz
Chief of Police
Attachment:
1. Agreement