Minnesota State Patrol pilots offer eyes in the sky to keep you safe on the ground
Aug. 9, 2022
One day, Minnesota State Patrol's pilots could be tracking a suspect fleeing from troopers on the ground. The next, they could be plucking a hiker dangling precariously from a steep cliff and whisking them to safety.
The State Patrol's flight section has been offering support from the sky for 65 years, doing whatever they can to keep you safe on the ground. The program began in 1957, when the then-Minnesota Highway Patrol purchased two aircrafts and assigned two World War II veterans to focus on traffic watch.
“Our primary mission is to help troopers on the ground. We work in the air to keep you safe on the road," said Lt. Craig Benz.
Benz is one of a team of pilots in the flight section. The pilots keep an eye on traffic, looking for reckless or unsafe drivers. In addition to traffic control, Benz says, the pilots provide speed enforcement and emergency blood transportation, as well as conduct “Search and Find" missions, personnel transport and training.
The State Patrol has four single-engine fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters. One of the most remarkable is known as “Trooper 5," a 2016 SR22 Perception manufactured by the Minnesota Cirrus company. The first of its kind from the company, Trooper 5 is a technologically advanced aircraft with avionics that rival the best commercial jet airliners. Its systems allow for flight in known icing conditions, which is a necessity when responding to emergency missions in our Minnesota winters.
Trooper 5, along with the two helicopters, named Trooper 8 and 9, are equipped with technology that allows troopers to use a daytime camera, infra-red camera and mapping to complete their mission. Those cameras are useful for finding vulnerable and lost people, as well as those who attempt to flee law enforcement on foot or are otherwise hiding from officers on the ground.
State Patrol pilots and aircraft are also part of the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) along with the St. Paul Fire Department.
“MART is there to help people who are stuck. Helicopters can bring rescue teams where they are needed, even when there aren't clear paths on the ground," Benz said.
State Patrol aircraft also are available to support the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry Aviation program. If Minnesota were to have a wildfire, the aircraft can haul what's known as a “Bambi Bucket" to carry water to put out the fires.
Keep scrolling for photos of our aviators through the years.
