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View Full Version : Congrats on the New Chopper!



12-08-2008, 10:38 PM
It's about time you guys got rid of that old Bell helio, the new Euro is really nice!

12-09-2008, 04:36 PM
Oh there goes the overtime budget and rifles that the county promised.

12-09-2008, 07:20 PM
http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news/articlefiles/9471-1.jpg

12-09-2008, 07:25 PM
http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news ... a=9471&z=6 (http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news/templates/?a=9471&z=6)


Miami-Dade Police Department Receives First of Four AS350B3 Helicopters from American Eurocopter
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 / American Eurocopter
At an event yesterday in Opa-Locka, Florida, the Miami-Dade Police Department’s (MDPD) Aviation Unit took delivery of a new AS350B3. This is the first of four AS350B3s that have been ordered and the aircraft will join a fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft in the Special Patrol Bureau’s Aviation Unit. The MDPD will receive the remaining three helicopters at a rate of one a year for the next three years.




The AS350B3 was chosen for its power, reliability, flexibility and its updated technology. It provides the MDPD Aviation Unit with an aircraft that can support the expanding security needs of Miami-Dade County and the south Florida region.

“Our mission platform is evolving and we needed a more modern helicopter and updated technology,” explains Sergeant Tom Turpin, pilot with the Special Patrol Bureau’s Aviation Unit. “The AS350B3 and its advanced technology will allow us to carryout our evolving mission base and complete the necessary law enforcement and security missions.”

The mission platform of the MDPD Aviation Unit has advanced from an air patrol focus to include support of Homeland Security initiatives, including port security and coverage for key county infrastructures.

The AS350B3 is a high-performance, single-engine helicopter equipped with a powerful 847 shp Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 engine. It is a member of the AS350 AStar family of helicopters that has become the reference for law enforcement missions in the United States.

The MDPD AS350B3 included an advanced avionics and technology package that will allow it to accomplish a variety of missions. “MDPD has always been on the leading edge of incorporating new and advanced technology in law enforcement,” continues Sgt. Turpin. “With the AS350B3, we can continue to be one of the leaders in the country.”

About American Eurocopter

American Eurocopter is the U.S. subsidiary of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer and the company markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. American Eurocopter's headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, TX, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, MS and its West Coast Regional Support Facility in Long Beach, CA.

12-11-2008, 05:18 AM
Does it have FLIR?????

12-11-2008, 06:12 AM
Does it have FLIR?????

From the picture, it doesn`t look like it does. It could be on the other side of the aircraft,though. :|

12-11-2008, 09:38 AM
Correct me if I am wrong but I think there are day time choppers that dont have FLIR and night time choppers that do have it.

In order to save money the day time choppers are only used in daylight and the night time choppers, with FLIR are only used at night. That way the amount of flight hours is rotated among the choppers and less money has to be spent on the same equipment.

12-11-2008, 09:38 AM
But then again that chopper also has a spot light, lol...so maybe im dead wrong.

12-11-2008, 09:42 AM
It's too bad the county didn't buy its choppers from an American owned company.

12-12-2008, 01:28 AM
It's too bad the county didn't buy its choppers from an American owned company.


Those guys on American Chopper are pretty funny!!!

12-12-2008, 02:52 AM
why didn't they put the new graphics like they did with the newer cars? too ugly?

12-19-2008, 06:25 AM
The new helo was transported from Texas without the Flir attached. Not only does it have a flair, but it has a downlink and camera system that costs 1 million dollars alone. All equipment is now attached.

12-26-2008, 05:48 AM
Sounds great bout the flir and all.. Just not a big fan of the camera part...

12-27-2008, 01:34 PM
It's too bad the county didn't buy its choppers from an American owned company.


If the US made parts count on the aircraft is 51% or higher, is considered to be US made.
Go figure!