Illicit Use of Light Sport Aircraft

1. Illicit Use of Light Sport Aircraft Analysis of Gyrocopter and Trike Use in Border Smuggling Operations Updated: May 11, 2011

2. Legal Disclaimer • This analysis is for internal use by Planehook Aviation Services, LLC • Planehook Aviation Services, LLC makes no warranty to outside parties as to the accuracy of this analysis • Those outside of Planehook Aviation Services, LLC who rely on the information contained herein do so at their own risk

3. Analysis Purpose • The purpose of this analysis is to assess the suitability for light sport aircraft to be used for illegal purposes along US borders • The analysis examines two specific types of light sport aircraft • Gyrocopters • Trikes

4. Trike Aircraft • Trike Aircraft Examined: 121 • Average Characteristics* • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 963 lbs • Payload (less pilot and fuel): 240 lbs • Cruise Speed/Range (30 minute reserve): 58 knots / 256 nm • Cruise Endurance (30 minute reserve): 4.4 hours *2 seat aircraft used for average performance analysis Note: The technical term for trike aircraft is “weight-shift aircraft”

5. Scenario A: Trike, Single Hop 5 nm one-way route Takeoff to airdrop 0:05:10 Approximate round trip 0:10:50 Estimated Payload 240 lbs

6. Scenario B: Trike, Multiple Hops Same 5 nm route Payload added as fuel is consumed Flying stops with 30 minutes reserve Average Trike Endurance 4.4 hours Time for Roundtrip 0:10:50 Number of Roundtrips 24 Additional Payload per Trip 3.14 lbs Maximum Payload Delivered 6,627 lbs or 3.3 tons

7. Gyrocopter Aircraft • Gyrocopter Aircraft Examined: 28 • Average Characteristics* • - Maximum Takeoff Weight: 950 lbs • - Payload (less pilot and fuel): 367 lbs • - Cruise Speed/Range (30 minute reserve): 70 knots / 178 nm • - Cruise Endurance (30 minute reserve): 2.5 hours • *2 seat aircraft used for average performance analysis

8. Scenario C: Gyrocopter, Single Hop 5 nm one-way route Takeoff to airdrop 0:04:17 Approximate round trip 0:09:04 Estimated Payload 367 lbs

9. Scenario D: Gyrocopter, Multiple Hops Same 5 nm route Payload added as fuel is consumed Flying stops with 30 minutes reserve Ave Gyrocopter Endurance 4.4 hours Time for Roundtrip 0:09:04 Number of Roundtrips 16 Additional Payload per Trip 4.3 lbs Maximum Payload Delivered 5,996 lbs or roughly 3 tons

10. Threat and Tactic History of Use Nighttime Drug Smuggling Operations: Marana, AZ October 2008 San Luis, AZ November 2008 Tucson, AZ December 2008 Yuma, AZ May 2009 Calexico, CA April 2011 December 2008 Tucson, AZ Note: Drug payload approximately 250 lbs November 2008 San Luis, AZ May 2009 Yuma, AZ

11. Planehook Analysis As terrestrial drug interdictions improve along the Texas-Mexico Border, the likelihood of Los Zetas and the remaining elements of the Gulf Cartel making use of Light Sport Aircraft to move drugs into the US using aerial tactics similar to the Sinaloa Cartel will increase. Threat: Cartel use of LSAs using night low-level flight tactics Threat Level: Medium Vulnerability: Texas border areas with relatively flat terrain at near-sea-level elevations. Region of highest vulnerability is Falcon Lake to McAllen, Texas. Vulnerability Level: Low, trending to Medium Risk Level: Medium (4 out of 10)

12. Illicit Use of Light Sport Aircraft • Analysis of Gyrocopter and Trike Use in Border Smuggling Operations Updated: May 11, 2011