Sky Watch, Civil Air Patrol

Xenon gyrocopter from Poland

Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol uses entirely private pilots on a volunteer basis. This is especially true in Scotland, where there is only one government funded police helicopter, and where funds are being rescinded rather than increased.
In Scotland, the civil air patrol have two gyrocopters and an R22. All the pilots are ex-military and their work is mostly observation, looking for lost mountain climbers, SAR and any work where they can aid the police.
There are also two gyrocopters in Cumbria doing the same work.
Sky Watch gives briefings and training sessions to new pilots and will send an experience pilot with newbies, to help navigation and advise where necessary. They will also arrange mountain flying courses.
There are currently 200 gyrocopters in the UK, many of whom are working in some capacity with the Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol.