Eurocopter USA has announced that the Ontario Police in California has ordered its third AS350 B2 helicopter. The aircraft will be delivered to the police in the late spring 2011 and be primarily used for aerial patrol and special operations surveillance.
"The AS350 B2 is the perfect aircraft for our operation," said Eric Weidner, sergeant and officer in charge of the Ontario Police Department's Air Support Unit. "With its payload and performance capabilities, the AS350 B2 has allowed us to continue to evolve as a department and expand the type of missions we perform."
The Ontario Police Department, which has been operating helicopters since 1989, acquired its first AS350B2 in 2002. The Air Support Unit has nine full-time officers and flies 365 days a year. The unit averages around 1000 hours per year on each of their two airframes, with 70-80% of their flights flown at night.
"We spend a lot of time in the air so the AS350 B2's comfortable platform, both in terms of cabin spaciousness and flexibility, coupled with its low noise signature, are important features," continued Sergeant Weidner. "This reduces crew fatigue, allows for safer operations, and makes us environmentally friendly."
