# NPAS Handbook
# Who we are and what do we do?
The National Police Air Service, also known as NPAS, is the oldest specialist unit of the Altis Police Force. NPAS was originally formed with the task of neutralising rebel aircraft, however its role has since evolved to include passenger and vehicle transportation, spotting, bench sniping, and occasionally chasing or disabling helicopters.
The National Police Air Service is primarily run by the Chief and Deputy alongside oversight from Police High Command. If you have any questions, queries, or complaints about NPAS, feel free to find an NPAS Command member (Trainer+) who will be more than happy to help you.
# NPAS Chain of Command
Here you will find a list of all those involved in the running, maintaining, and continued development of the unit. If you have any questions, queries, complaints, or suggestions for the unit please feel free to message any of the below.
# NPAS Command
| Rank | Player Name |
|---|---|
| Chief | Peter Cheedle |
| Deputy Chief | Vacant |
| Senior Trainer | N/A (Vacant Position) |
| Trainer | N/A (Vacant Position) |
# Positions within NPAS and their roles
NPAS consists of a wide variety of ranks and roles, all with their own level of whitelisting and permissions. Each member plays their part to ensure unit continuity, success, and safe operation. You can find out below the ranks within NPAS and their roles.
# NPAS Chief and Deputy Chief
The Chief and Deputy are pilots selected by Police High Command to preside over all NPAS operations, Usually this includes document work such as keeping the NPAS handbook up to date and editing rules, but also database developing and management, dealing with disciplinary cases, communicating with High Command and Management, and everything else included in the units day to day running. The Chief and Deputy are established partners, with both having their own personal tasks and understanding of the NPAS ideology.
# NPAS Senior Trainer
NPAS Senior Trainers are members selected by the Chief and Deputy for their trustworthiness and outstanding knowledge of NPAS rules and procedures. Senior Trainers are great leaders with an approachable and professional attitude, whose knowledge allows them a higher whitelisting level and permissions level than a regular trainer. They assist in the day to day runnings of NPAS, and work closely with the Deputy and Chief to enforce their ideology and goals.
# NPAS Trainer
An NPAS Trainer’s primary role is the testing and training of the members within NPAS, whether that be a new Student or long established Tier 3 pilot. They contribute to the training operation more than any other role, and maintain this area on the NPAS database. Even though they are the lowest position within command, they are still authorised to issue penalties to those not following regulations, and can answer any queries you may have.
# Members
Pilots become an NPAS member once they have completed their 3 stages of NPAS recruitment. The application, Entry Test, and Advanced Tier 1 Test. Members are split into a total of 4 different ranks, all with different whitelisting and restrictions. Once they have proven themselves in the field they will be eligible to be promoted to the next tier. The ranks are as follows:
- Wing Commander (Tier 4)
- Squadron Leader (Tier 3)
- Flight Lieutenant (Tier 2)
- Flight Officer (Tier 1)
# Students
After passing a basic flight test called an ‘Entry Test’, our applicants become Students. Students are whitelisted Tier 1 pilots who must complete 2 hours worth of NPAS patrol to become eligible for their Advanced Tier 1 Test, however they have many rule restrictions that apply to them specifically. A pilot can only be in the student phase for a maximum of 21 days.
# Applicant
An applicant is a simple term for someone who has applied for NPAS (using the application form) and is awaiting entry testing.
# NPAS Recruitment process
NPAS does not offer any form of ride-along. We often operate covertly, so cannot allow officers who are untrained to take the controls of aircraft, as it may risk the safety of the aircrew and ground units. If you have an interest in joining NPAS please speak to any NPAS trainer, or ask an NPAS pilot if you can be a bench gunner on their aircraft. The NPAS application form can be found here,and in all of the NPAS channel descriptions ("Whiskey Alpha 99”,“India 99”, & NPAS Office).
Please make sure that the following requirements are met before you make an application, or your application may be delayed or declined:
- Minimum rank to join NPAS is Police Constable.
- Good communication skills (Working microphone etc)
- Familiar with all vehicles and weapons
- Familiar with key callouts at operations
- Altis life experience (Knowledge of the server rules)
- Must have read and understood the NPAS Handbook
- High level of roleplay & professionalism
Stages of application:
Apply using the NPAS Application Form If accepted you have 2 weeks from your acceptance date to complete your Entry Testing. If you pass your entry testing you will now be a whitelisted Student. You must do 2 hours worth of NPAS patrol before you are eligible to complete your Advanced Tier 1 Testing, which will allow you to become a fully qualified member of NPAS. You can only hold the position of Student for a maximum of 3 weeks (21 days). If you fail your entry testing you must reapply in one week from the date you failed. Once you are a member, you can be promoted in Friday Police Meeting to a higher tier, assuming you have met the minimum time in rank and are active within NPAS. As you progress through the tiers, the same time limit of two weeks to complete your training will be in place, starting on the day of promotion.
# Returning Pilots
If you return to NPAS within 6 months of leaving you are eligible to be given a returning rank shown in the table below. If you return to NPAS within 7 days of leaving you are eligible for a full reinstation to your original rank. If you return within 3 months you will not have to complete any training other than new training that has been implemented while you were not a member. If you return after 3 months you will have to complete all training again. If you were kicked from NPAS for any reason you are not eligible to be reinstated in any way.
| Leaving Rank | Returning Rank |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Student |
| Tier 2 | Tier 1 |
| Tier 3 | Tier 2 |
| Tier 4 | Tier 2 |
# NPAS Tiers
| Tier | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | MH9 Hummingbird (Marked/Unmarked), MH-900 (Marked/Unmarked) |
| Tier 2 | Orca |
| Tier 3 | Orca (Unmarked), WY-55 Hellcat (Unarmed) |
| Tier 4 | WY-55 Hellcat (Armed), Caesar BTT, MI-290 Taru (Bench, Cargo and Standard) |
# All NPAS Rules/Guidelines
Direct any questions about the following to a higher tier pilot, or Command if needed. Any mistakes/typos get hold of NPAS Command
# Section 1 - Disclaimers & Formal Procedure
- No serving NPAS personnel will face scrutiny or disciplinary action for damage to an aircraft whilst the intention and use of the aircraft is warranted and justifiable. Any actions deemed not justified and unprofessional will result in immediate removal or disciplinary action. Whilst an aircraft is in use by NPAS pilots, it is the pilot’s (P1) responsibility to return the aircraft fully intact. If seen breaking rules while flying as TFU or NCA Pilots, NPAS Command can revoke your place in NPAS, or issue disciplinaries as a second chance. The NPAS chain of command follows the rank structure shown on the roster, because of this, NPAS Trainers have superiority over TFU & NCA pilots. TFU and NCA pilots are required to complete NPAS training before being appointed their whitelisting.
# Section 2 - Professionalism & Pilot Expectations
- When flying an aircraft you must abide by aviation law unless you have a valid reason. At all times you must follow the altitudes stated in the altitude table (see below).
- When it is not necessary to fly covertly, and it is nighttime, aircraft collisions lights should be switched on.
- Pilots must avoid a collision by all means while rotor blocking aircraft. You may rotor block any aircraft assuming you are flying a helicopter authorised to do so by the Landing Table (see below).
- The NPAS uniform and equipment may only be used whilst on NPAS duties.
- The NPAS uniform must be worn while operating any aircraft, this includes P1 (Pilot) and P2 (Co-Pilot). All other accompanying aircrew are exempt. It is optional if you are operating unmarked.
- Pilot Helmets must be worn by the Pilot and Co-Pilot in all aircraft besides the MH9 and M900.
- You are only allowed to use the aircraft and equipment you are whitelisted for. No weapons equipment may be used outside of NPAS benching, but they may all be used for any NPAS patrol.
- Pilot helmets are only to be used while on NPAS patrol.
# Section 3 - Authorisation
- NPAS can have a maximum of two helicopters out on patrol at the same time. Unless permission from Senior Trainer+ is give, Helicopters used in operations, and the Caesar, do not count towards this total.
- A maximum of two Armed aircraft, +1 for each enemy armed helicopter present, can be out at any given time.
- NPAS pilots may use a helicopter with bench snipers, however, they must be a PC+
- PCSOs are not allowed to go on NPAS patrols. This rule does not apply during operations and when a helicopter is being used to transport officers.
- Pilots are authorised to use unmarked variants of aircraft they are whitelisted for if responding to an ongoing operation.
- Trainer+ may use any aircraft for training purposes within the rules and guidelines set out in their handbook.
- Deputy+ can give authorisation for NPAS units to enter the red zone if pursuing a fleeing aircraft.
- A timesheet must be submitted if an unmarked aircraft is being used.
# Section 4 - Teamspeak Rules
- When starting an NPAS patrol, you must be in either one of our dedicated channels (Whiskeys Alpha 99 or India 99) unless INTOP rules apply.
- When you are about to set off on an NPAS Patrol, you are expected to announce yourself to all channels such as the following; “[NPAS Channel] to all units. We will be operating [Aircraft/Callsign] from this channel. Please whisper to me should you require assistance.”
# Section 5 - Student Rules
- Students must wear a pilot helmet and NPAS uniform at all times when in Pilot or Co-Pilot.
- Students must not fly any unmarked variants of the Hummingbird/M900.
- Must maintain at least 150m at all times while they have controls.
- May never land outside of bluezone while they have controls.
- Must never break any NPAS rules or Student rules, or will be subject to immediate removal from Student.
# Aircraft Rules
# MH-9 / M900 Marked ‘Whiskey-31’ Rules:
Whiskey-31 must only be piloted by a member of NPAS, Tier 1 or above.
# MH-9 / M900 Unmarked:
You MUST ask permission from a Trainer+ before using this aircraft.
Should only be used for Police & Unit operations and must be authorized by Trainer/DCOM+.
# Hellcat India-99 Rules:
India-99 can be co-piloted by any member of the Altis Police; however, there must be a clear understanding of the expectations required of the co-pilot.
Controls must be unlocked at all times in case of an emergency.
The Aircraft may not land anywhere other than a designated Police HQ unless it is critically damaged.
# PO-30 Orca Rules:
To use the Orca you need to be Tier 2 or above. Unmarked should only be used for Police & Unit operations and must be authorized by Trainer/DCOM+.
# Caesar BTT (Racing):
You must only land at airstrips unless the vehicle is in critical condition. As last resort, you may eject over uncrowded/isolated areas. Minimum air travel must be kept above 300m at all times unless taking off or landing. The Caesar can be pulled out in addition to 2 helicopters being used on NPAS patrols however only 1 Caesar is permitted to be used at any given time.
# Taru Rules:
The Taru may only be used when there are a clear need and justified use for it. This may include large-scale operational deployments, large transportation flights and may be used during low-risk extraction. The Taru may not be used as a distraction or combat-oriented vehicle.
# Armed Hellcat Rules:
Permission from Trainer+ or DCOM+ is needed to take out the armed hellcat.
The armed Hellcats weapons should only be used to disable aircraft, not to intentionally kill occupants.
Before engaging with the armed Hellcat two ALT 1 or 2 warning messages need to be sent, unless already clearly initiated with the target.
The armed Hellcat should be used for stopping helicopters that are in possession of drugs or are a specific known threat.
The armed Hellcat can engage AWC NYX if ground initiation has been made
You should not be on a regular NPAS patrol with the armed hellcat, it should only be pulled out for operations or to deal with a specific and known threat.
# Taru Sling Rules:
Sling loading is a privilege that can easily be taken away as easily as it is given. Any Tier 4 ranking member will face punishment if any of these rules are broken.
You must fly above 150m if you’re actively sling loading a vehicle unless landing.
Sling loading is perfect for large scale transportation of personnel as well as vehicles.
# Activity
To be eligible for a promotion you must have at least 5 hours of NPAS activity per week, If you fail to meet at least 3 hour a week in NPAS patrols you risk being removed/demoted.
NPAS activity is counted as followed: Timesheets count double + a fifth of the police activity.
| Activity Level | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Student |
| Tier 2 | Tier 1 |
| Tier 3 | Tier 2 |
| Tier 4 | Tier 3 |
| Activity Level | Hours |
|---|---|
| Active | >5 |
| Semi-Active | 3 > and < 5 |
| Inactive | < 3 |