Helicopter Speed Cam?
Helicopter Speed Cam?
Author
Discussion

a993lad

Original Poster:

2,087 posts

249 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Do the cops ever use helicopters for speed cam work?

Took a trip up to Stamford yesterday in my 993. On the way home, down the A1 I was stuck behind a guy in a Saxo, but he was doing a reasonable speed. Then he suddenly pulled into the inside lane so I started accelerating past, when I noticed the Saxo driver was trying to attract my attention and was pointing upwards. A helicopter was hovering about 500 feet up just to one side of the dual carriageway. I quickly assumed a 70mph appearance, but don't think my actions were quick enough to fool them!

In Stamford we pulled into the car park of the George Hotel and were delighted to be parked near a white 2.7 rs. It looked good, and had M reg plates, but the plates had Autofarm branding on. Presumably this would be a replica rather than the real thing?

domster

8,431 posts

298 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Helicopters sometimes measure speed using the white markers on the roads, or use their air speed as an approximation of your ground speed to alert units on the road. This isn't a primary use of helicopters, but certainly their evidence could be admissable if taken to court for speeding.

As for the Autofarm RS, it may be real, may not be. They deal with originals as well as making replicas.

DHA

340 posts

245 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Yes they do. Some Police helis have VASCAR fitted in them.

DucatiGary

7,765 posts

253 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
ive been followed by a copper chopper once on my ducati, not sure how long for but he definitly got a good look at some brisk speeds and freestyle overtaking manouvers.

luckily nothing ever came of it.

(was in peterbrough by A1)

Raven Flyer

1,645 posts

252 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Essex Police have just had £30k worth of GPS/camera gear fitted to their Eurocopter, just for this purpose.

Before, they could only use the white squares on the road, or get someone to measure between two bridges they had filmed you at, in order to calculate your speed.

Heli's really struggle above 160mph and can't maintain this speed for long as they overheat at full power. If you have a 25mph headwind at 1000ft, then they can't keep up with something on the ground doing 130mph. A tailwind will be a different matter, so is a road that is anything other than a perfect straight line

a993lad

Original Poster:

2,087 posts

249 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Thanks Guys,

It seems from the replies that I can continue to be nervous of the postal deliveries for a few weeks then.

This chopper was on the A1 near Peterborough as well Gary. And the way it was hovering certainly appeared to lined up with the dual carriageway.

And to make matters worse, when I turned off onto the A14 there was a mobile speed cam in a van on one of the overhead bridges. I think I slowed down in time for that one, but I'm not really sure how far out they clock you. Anyone know?

supersport

4,613 posts

255 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
They have a lot of chav-o-copters around Peterborough, hunting down chavs doing wrong. My parents live on the edge of a chav spot and some weekends the chav-o-copter never leaves the area - could it be that?

Raven 930

154 posts

284 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
This M plate Autofarm replica on a jaunt?

www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php?carno=5818

Just came across it by chance - nothing to do with me!

a993lad

Original Poster:

2,087 posts

249 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Well the 2.7rs certainly looked like that one. ie - It was white with blue graphics/wheels.

I took some pics of it with my 993 alongside, so I'll check tonight for any identifying signs.

What's the biggest giveaway between genuine and replica rs'?

domster

8,431 posts

298 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
a993lad said:

What's the biggest giveaway between genuine and replica rs'?


The chassis number and the price

Yex

4,608 posts

248 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2006
quotequote all
Raven Flyer said:
Essex Police have just had £30k worth of GPS/camera gear fitted to their Eurocopter, just for this purpose.

Before, they could only use the white squares on the road, or get someone to measure between two bridges they had filmed you at, in order to calculate your speed.

Heli's really struggle above 160mph and can't maintain this speed for long as they overheat at full power. If you have a 25mph headwind at 1000ft, then they can't keep up with something on the ground doing 130mph. A tailwind will be a different matter, so is a road that is anything other than a perfect straight line


So......you gonna behave now on that nice stretch of road that leads to your turn off