The Tampa Police Department Aviation Unit consists of 16 permanently assigned personnel. The unit is staffed by one Sergeant, one chief pilot, five pilots, six tactical flight officers, two aircraft mechanics, and one materials coordinator.   The pilots are qualified Commercial pilots with a Single Engine Instrument Airplane and Commercial Helicopter ratings. Also, several members of the unit possess Instructor certificates and Multi-Engine ratings. The total flight time of the unit's pilots is approximately 24,000 hours.  All of the unit’s maintenance is done in house, with two full time mechanics. In Fiscal Year 2010 we flew a total of 2220 hours and responded to 3550 calls for service.  We assisted in 344 arrests.  The unit averages 2000 to 2500 hours of flight time a year.