MD Helicopters has sold two MD500 helicopters to police departments in the western United States. Mesa PD will take an MD500E, while Las Vegas PD has ordered an MD530F. Both aircraft will be delivered later in 2002.
"These agencies re-selected MD500s because they perform in extreme desert conditions where temperatures routinely exceed 110ºF in the summer," says Dale Christman, law enforcement specialist for MDHI. "The law enforcement community keeps returning to the MD500 because it consistently gets the job done."
The city of Mesa has operated two MD500Es since 1994 and the aircraft have logged more than 23,000 accident-free hours serving the community.
"Experience told us that the MD500E was the right helicopter for the job," explains Lt Rod Johnston, who supervises Mesa's aviation unit. "Our pilots say the speed and manoeuvrability of the MD500E are important in reaching all areas of our city quickly and this third helicopter will help us to be even more effective."
Las Vegas operates two MD530Fs, one MD500E, one MD500D and two Bell UH-1N Hueys
Source: Flight Daily News
