California Police Dept Buys an MD 500E

The Pasadena, Calif. Air Operations Section is buying a $2 million MD 500E after receiving numerous noise complaints against its current fleet of aircraft. The $2 million price tag includes a base price of $1.6 with the rest of the funds being used for upgraded avionics. “The [other helicopters] are great aircraft, but when you start loading it up with FLIR, moving maps, Nightsuns,” said Capt Mulhall, “the older aircraft can’t take the weight.” The other helicopters the city owns include two OH-58s with 13,000 hr on each, a JetRanger with 11,000 hr and two Enstrom F-28Fs with 12,000 hr each. The Air Operations Section covers nearly 100 sq mi and has three A&P/IAs on staff. “The new helicopter is fast, agile, durable and has been a police helicopter for a long time,” said Capt Mulhall. “The 500E will be perfect for what we need to do.” For related news