Riverside County Approves $960K Contract for Sheriff's Helicopter Training

Riverside County Approves $960K Contract for Sheriff's Helicopter Training

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has approved a five-year, $960,000 contract with Costa Mesa-based Helistream Inc. to handle all helicopter flight training for the Sheriff’s Department. The board voted unanimously, 5-0, without comment, continuing a long-standing partnership with the aviation training company.

Helistream, which specializes in law enforcement air operations training, has worked with Riverside County since 2017. The company has also provided training to federal and state agencies, including the DEA and California Highway Patrol. According to the Sheriff's Aviation Unit, Helistream is the only company in the southwestern United States that offers specialized training for the county’s Airbus H-125 and H-145 helicopters.

The contract ensures that Riverside County sheriff’s pilots receive the latest instruction on handling high-risk law enforcement aviation operations, including aerial surveillance, search and rescue, and tactical flight maneuvers.

With the approval of this agreement, the Sheriff’s Department aims to maintain high operational standards in its aviation unit, which plays a critical role in emergency response and public safety efforts throughout Riverside County.