Professional Pilot

Helicopter News

February 1, 2008

Air Methods has delivered a modified Euroccpter EC145 to Mayo Clinic Medicol Transport in Rochester MN. The EC 145, callsign Mayo One, has space for 2 critical care patients and 3 medical personnel. It features an EMS-configured interior, induding a Ferno 93 litter system and NVG-compatible IFR cockpit with tactical cammunication and navigation equipment, TCAS, satcom/datalink and ground proximity v/arning system. Omniflight Helicopters operates the EC 145 under an agreement with Mayo.

Texas Department of Public Safety. As part of the deal, Metro's new headquarters facility near DTN (Downtown, Shreveport LA), which opened in Nov 2007, will begin receiving green airframes from Eurocopter in February. Advanced surveillance, tactical communications and avionics equipment will be installed under the agreement.

Bell has announced plans to discontinue its 206B3, 210, 427 and 430 helicopters and focus future production on the 407, 412 and new 429. Citing high demand, Bell will increase output of those 3

AgustoWestland has delivered the first 2 prototypes for the VH71, the next-generation replocement for the US Presidential helicopter which is based on the AW101. Test Vehicle 2 ond TV5 lU arrived at NHK (Patuxent River NAS, Patuxent River MD) in Nov and Dec 2007, respectively. US Navy pilots will use V/2 and 5 for the VH71 initial testing phase, mostly for structural and propulsion checks end pilot training. First phase of the fleet replacement also includes 2 other test helicopters, TV3 and 4, which will undergo mission modifications at Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego NY before ariving at NHK. Test Vehicle 1, delivered shortly after contract award in early 2005, has accumulated 555 hours in flight tests.

MD Helicopters has handed over an MD Explorer to Britain's Greater Manchester Police (GMP). It is the first helicopter delivered to a European law enforcement operator since Patriarch Partners acquired MD in Jul 200S. Police Aviation Services, MD's distributor in the LJK, will provide pilots and maintenance support for the Explorer. GMP has accumulated more then 7000 hours on its existing MD902 Explorer, purchased in 2001.

Metro Aviation has secured a contract to complete 5 Eurocopter AS350B2S and an EC145 for the

Enstrom has partnered with Beeline Helicopters to sell and operate Enstrom helicopters in the Philippines. The manufacturer delivered a 480B to Beeline's facility in Manila, v^ere a maintenance center is being built. The helicopter will be used for charter end tour flights, and to support Beeline m?rke^ ing efforts in the region.

models as it phases out the other 4. The manufacturer, which made the decision after performing a market study, plans to fulfill current customer backlogs through 2010. Bell will continue to provide support for all 7 types through its worldwide network of service facilities.

AgustaWestland has delivered 2 AW139S to the Spanish Marine Safety Agency (Sasemar). Equipped with a rescue hoist, FLIR camera, search/weather radar, emergency flotation system and 4-axis autopilot, the helicopters will be used for SAR and to detect water pollution. They are part of a Eeb 2006 purchase of 3 AW139s. Sasemar placed a follow-on order for 2 more AWl 39s in Oct 2007.

LUD (Decatur TX)-based United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) has won a hid to complete a Bell 206L4 for the Tulsa (OK) Police Department.

URS will install special-mission equipment, including a Garmin GNS53O GPS/com/nav unit, GTX530 transponder, 3 Paravion monitors, cargo hook and specifications for a FLIR8500 camera and Spectrolab SX16 searchlight. The Bell 206L4 is scheduled to arrive at LUD in late January with delivery planned for early May 2008. -**^

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