VOA标准英语2010年-Powered Parachute Gives US Rural Polic

As an alternative to expensive helicopters or traditional jets, some law enforcement agencies are experimenting with lightweight craft that stay airborne using just a parachute.

Steve Mort | Palm Bay, Florida 01 January 2010

 The Palm Bay Police Department is experimenting with powered parachute aircraft to assist in crime fighting

Crime fighting is taking to the skies in the rural Florida city of Palm Bay. Lieutenant¹ Joe Eakins says this tiny aircraft, which uses a parachute instead of wings, offers an affordable² way to patrol from the air.

"The helicopter is obviously the ideal platform for police work. However, most agencies can't afford those. You have to have a hangar, it costs quite a bit for maintenance and fuel," said Lieutenant Joe Eakins of the Palm Bay Police Department.

This powered parachute costs just $35 an hour to fly, compared to hundreds of dollars for a helicopter. And Officer Edward Bermudez says the 180 kilo craft is much simpler to operate. The Palm Bay Police Department is one of only seven agencies to receive a $30,000 grant from the U.S. government to experiment with aviation.

The Justice Department says powered parachutes offer a solution for rural forces that patrol large areas with limited resources.  Lieutenant Eakins says it could be useful in preventing crimes such as burglaries in Palm Bay's dispersed³ residential⁴ communities.

"We're so much more visible from the air than we are from the ground that maybe we can be a deterrent," added Lieutenant Eakins.

The powered parachute can fly very low to the ground, and as slowly as 40 kilometers per hour, giving officers a clear view during search and surveillance operations.

Officer Bermudez says it can help in hunting for illegal drug operations or for missing people.

"We're also looking into using it for photography purposes, or at least for observation purposes, for crime scenes," he noted⁵.

Police officers say the powered parachute does have limitations. For example, it can only be flown in good weather.  But officials in Palm Bay say they hope the aircraft will be flying regular patrols within months.

1 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

2 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

3 dispersed   

adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的

参考例句：

• The clouds dispersed themselves. 云散了。
• After school the children dispersed to their homes. 放学后，孩子们四散回家了。

4 residential   

adj.提供住宿的；居住的；住宅的

参考例句：

• The mayor inspected the residential section of the city.市长视察了该市的住宅区。
• The residential blocks were integrated with the rest of the college.住宿区与学院其他部分结合在了一起。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。