History
Tracking
The New York State Police Aviation Unit's story begins in 1931 with fixed-wing aircraft, though it saw a period of inactivity before its re-establishment in 1967. From that point, the unit grew, adding helicopters to its fleet to complement its fixed-wing aircraft and better serve its expanding mission.
A significant development occurred in 1998 when the unit merged with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's flight department, broadening its operational responsibilities.
The current fleet includes a variety of helicopters, such as the Sikorsky S-76D, Bell 407, Bell 430, and Bell UH-1 Huey, alongside fixed-wing aircraft like the Beechcraft King Air 250 and Cessna models, all supporting a wide range of operations, including law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental conservation and firefighting against wildfires.
In 2024, the New York State Police began modernization program with orders for Airbus H145 and H160 helicopters.
A significant development occurred in 1998 when the unit merged with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's flight department, broadening its operational responsibilities.
The current fleet includes a variety of helicopters, such as the Sikorsky S-76D, Bell 407, Bell 430, and Bell UH-1 Huey, alongside fixed-wing aircraft like the Beechcraft King Air 250 and Cessna models, all supporting a wide range of operations, including law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental conservation and firefighting against wildfires.
In 2024, the New York State Police began modernization program with orders for Airbus H145 and H160 helicopters.
The callsign GRYDR (pronounced “Gray Rider”) is a standardized radio identifier used by aircraft within the New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation Unit. The prefix references the long-standing nickname of New York State Troopers, derived from their distinctive gray uniforms and campaign hats. This designation is applied across the entire aviation fleet, including both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, providing a unified identity in air operations.
The numerical suffix, such as “43” in GRYDR 43, identifies a specific airframe within the fleet, allowing air traffic control and other agencies to distinguish between multiple NYSP aircraft operating simultaneously. The callsign format remains consistent with the introduction of newer platforms like the Airbus H145 and H160, ensuring continuity in communications while supporting safe and efficient coordination during routine missions and high-profile deployments.
The numerical suffix, such as “43” in GRYDR 43, identifies a specific airframe within the fleet, allowing air traffic control and other agencies to distinguish between multiple NYSP aircraft operating simultaneously. The callsign format remains consistent with the introduction of newer platforms like the Airbus H145 and H160, ensuring continuity in communications while supporting safe and efficient coordination during routine missions and high-profile deployments.
Models
| 2000- | 430 |
| 407 | |
| UH-1H Iroquois | |
| UH-1D Iroquois | |
| H145D3 | |
| S-76D | |
| Bo105LS |
Airframes (17)
| Reg | Model | C/N | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N11SP | 407 | 53530 | 2002 | |
| N129SP | uh-1h | 12510 | ||
| N12SP | 430 | 49069 | 2000 | |
| N16SP | 407 | 53532 | 2002 | |
| N174SP | uh-1d | 4193 | ||
| N17SP | 407 | 53444 | 2000 | |
| N18SP | 407 | 53533 | 2002 | |
| N19SP | uh-1d | 4373 | ||
| N20SP | 430 | 49070 | 2001 | |
| N224SP | uh-1h | 13409 | ||
| N430SP N427SP | 430 | 49083 | 2001 | |
| N430NY | 430 | 49068 | 2000 | |
| N430SP | h145d3 | 21314 | 2024 | |
| N761NY | s-76d | 761021 | 2013 | |
| N9SP N767SP | 430 | 49086 | 2001 | |
| N9SP | 105ls | 2019 | 1988 | |
| N9SP | h145d3 | 21301 | 2024 |
See also
LifeNet of New York