Department Resources

Helicopter Division

Heliport Direct

703-830-3105

Emergencies

911

Non-emergency

703-691-2131

two officers running a medical evacuation towards the fairfax helicopter

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division provides tactical police aviation support, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, and other specialized air support as needed within Fairfax County and the National Capital Region to enhance public safety and welfare.

Helicopter Division Leadership

Commander

Captain Karen MaslonaKaren.Maslona@fairfaxcounty.gov

Assistant Commander

Lieutenant Lance HamiltonLance.Hamilton@fairfaxcounty.gov

Notable Missions

Date	Mission	Location
8/1/26	Bailout (Loudon Co.)	Cascades Pky/Palisade Pky
8/1/26	Hit and Run	North Shore Dr./ Links Dr.
8/2/26	Vehicle Pursuit	Commerce St./Brndon Av.
8/4/26	Wanted Person	I-66/ Rt. 123
8/5/26	Weapon Brandishing	14000 Block Rt. 50
8/5/26	Medevac	9600 Block Barlow Rd.
8/7/26	Vehicle Tampering	2400 Block Fort Dr.
8/7/26	Vehicle Pursuit	495/ Rt.644
8/10/26	Robbery	3300 Block Glen Carlyn Dr.
8/14/26	Medevac	11000 Sunset Hills Rd.
8/14/26	Stabbing	5100 Block Leesburg Pk.
8/15/26	Shot Person	Sacramento Dr./ Venoy Ct.
8/20/26	Carjacking	13000 Block Lake Waterview Way
8/22/26	Shot Person	7900 Block Fordson Rd.
8/23/26	Vehicle Tampering	10000 Block Red Granite Ter.
8/24/26	Abduction	95/Lorton Rd.
8/26/26	Stabbing	7600 Block Richmond Hwy
8/26/26	Robbery	6300 Block Richmond Hwy
8/27/26	Robbery	6300 Block Multiplex Dr.

Related Resources

Helicopter Division History

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division is committed to reducing aircraft noise. As such, the division employs the following flight characteristics whenever possible.

When responding from Fairfax Base to events that are not time critical, pilots should climb over the area of the landfill to an altitude of at least 1200 feet MSL before proceeding on course.
When returning to Fairfax Base, pilots should maintain a minimum altitude of 1200 feet MSL until intercept of a steeper than normal glide path to the base.
Flight operations between the hours of 1100 and 0700 are limited to essential police and medevac missions.
Vary landing and departure courses at Fairfax Base and remain over the landfill as much as possible.
Avoid noise-sensitive areas when possible.
Select routes over areas of high ambient noise levels when possible.
Maintain an altitude of at least 1,000 feet AGL when possible.
Avoid fast cruise speeds when not responding to missions.
Avoid sharp maneuvers.
Use steep takeoff and descent profiles.

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division maintains a 24-hour, 7 days a week, single-aircraft mission response capability. The standard duty crew is comprised of one pilot and two paramedic qualified police officers. If you listen to air traffic control for Dulles or National Airport you will routinely hear the crew communicate using the call sign "Fairfax 1."

Fairfax 1 provides tactical police aviation support, aeromedical evacuation, search & rescue, and other specialized air support as needed within Fairfax County, and through mutual aid agreements to other jurisdictions within the National Capital Region to enhance public safety and welfare.

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division maintains two Bell 429 helicopters purchased through funds saved over more than a decade. The helicopters are projected to last 20 years.

If the helicopter is circling your neighborhood it is on a mission. You can contact the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications at (703) 691-2131 and they will tell you what type of mission the helicopter is on. The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division also posts recent missions on their website and that website is updated at least once a week.

The crew members take the noise produced by the helicopter into account on every mission flown. The division uses the Helicopter Association International's Fly Neighborly Guide as a model for helicopter noise reduction. Unfortunately, due to mission critical components of certain flights, the crew cannot always adhere to those guidelines.

No. There are many public safety, medevac, news, and military helicopters that operate in the Northern Virginia area daily.

If you are a member of a community organization based in Fairfax County, or a Fairfax County employee working in your official capacity, you can request a demonstration or fly-over. The crew can fly-out to a predetermined location to meet with your organization, fly over a special event, or meet your group at the hangar so you can see the helicopter firsthand. (Examples include Fairfax County Public Schools, scout troops, National Night Out events)

The division will provide a demonstration to any public safety agency as long as it is logistically possible. Working with our local, state, and federal partner is vital to our mission and we encourage those partners to contact us anytime.

Pointing a laser at any aircraft, helicopter or fixed wing, is a federal crime with a punishment of up to 5 years imprisonment. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of any individual who aims a laser at aircraft. The reward is available for 90 days in all 56 FBI field offices (FBI Press Release June 03, 2014).

The operation of unmanned aircraft (UA/drones), to include model aircraft, is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Information concerning the operation of UAs can be found on the FAQ section of the FAA website. Additionally, the District of Columbia and cities and towns within a 15-mile radius of Ronald-Reagan Washington National Airport are a No Drone Zone. This includes a portion of Fairfax County. Further information can be found at DC IS A NO DRONE ZONE.

Fairfax County Police Department

Alert:

Department Resources

Helicopter Division

Helicopter Division Leadership

Notable Missions

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

Fairfax County Police Department

Alert:

Department Resources

Helicopter Division

Helicopter Division Leadership

Notable Missions

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Fly Neighborly

What are the operational hours of the Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division and what is the helicopter's call sign?

What types of missions does Fairfax 1 fly?

What kind of helicopter does the division fly and how many do they have?

Why is Fairfax 1 circling my neighborhood and how do I find out what is going on?

Does the Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division attempt to reduce helicopter noise?

If there is a helicopter flying over my neighborhood can I assume it is Fairfax 1?

How do crew members interact with the public if they are always in the air?

What if I am a member of the public safety community and I would like a demonstration?

How much trouble can I get into for pointing a laser at the helicopter?

Can I operate an unmanned aircraft (UA/drones) in Fairfax County?

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax