NEW MD 530F TO BEGIN FLIGHT OPERATIONS WITH VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT, HELICOPTER OPERATIONS
Mesa, Ariz., November 01, 2018
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) celebrates the delivery of a new MD 530F helicopter to the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD). As the first MD Helicopters-brand aircraft to join the VBPD Aviation Unit since the Helicopter Operations unit was established, the new MD 530F will be a powerful, reliable addition to their fleet, and will deliver improved operational efficiency and increased mission versatility.
“This aircraft, like all of our law enforcement builds, has been a labor of love; a testament to our commitment to serve those who live their lives in service of others,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “We are excited to see this elegant MD 530F begin its service with the Virginia Beach Police Department.”
The Virginia Beach Police Department operates 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, in service of the 450,000 citizens that inhabit the city’s 310 square miles. Two-person flight crews support ground officers in the execution of air patrol, search and rescue, surveillance, and crime scene and damage assessment.
“The Aviation Unit plays an invaluable role in our ability to protect and serve the citizens and visitors of Virginia Beach,” said Reginald Padgett, Virginia Beach Police Department. “As an effective command platform during critical situations like vehicle and suspect pursuits or missing person operations, the Helicopter Unit provides optimal situational awareness that protects both officers and civilians on the ground.”
MD 530F – Airborne Law Enforcement Configuration
MD Helicopters’ all-new certified glass cockpit featuring the Garmin G500 [H] TXi Electronic Flight Instruments (EFIS), Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert Systems (EICAS), and Garmin GTN 650 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS is the focal point of an advanced NVISB interior designed to enhance safety during nighttime patrol, surveillance and tactical operations.
In addition to its powerful Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650shp turbine engine, extended landing gear, Fargo 21 gallon auxiliary fuel tank and wire strike protection system, Virginia Beach’s MD 530F has been custom-configured to include:
- High-contrast main rotor blades
- MDHI Nose/Side Mount
- FLIR® SAFIRE 380HDc EOIR system
- Churchill ARS-600 airborne mapping system
- TrakkaBeam® A800 searchlight
- IMT SkymasterTX Downlink
- Macro Blue MB12 monitor and command station
- Public Address AEM TS300, LSC22 Control head, and LSA400 Amplifier
“It is an honor to welcome the Virginia Beach Police Department to the MD Helicopters family,” Tilton concludes. “We look forward to a long and strong relationship.”
VBPD’s new MD 530F was welcomed home on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, and began flight operations within the week.