Aircraft To Replace Older Helo

The helicopter-related news kept streaming from the floor of HAI Expo 2004, as the Los Angeles City Fire Department Air Operations Division announced will soon take delivery of a new Bell 412. The latest addition to the division's all-Bell fleet will enter into service this spring and replaces an older 412 currently in fire service. The aircraft is currently undergoing customization at Edwards & Associates, a Bell subsidiary specializing in helicopter completions.

The Los Angeles City Fire Department has been flying Bell helicopters since 1962. The newly acquired aircraft will be the sixth 412 in their fleet. The fleet consists of a combination of 412s, a 206B3 JetRanger, and a 206L3 LongRanger. The Bell 412 was first selected by the City of Los Angeles in 1983 in its search for a twin-engine helicopter. Chief Pilot for the Air Operations Division Paul Shakstad recalled the process.

"We wanted a twin-engine aircraft to provide a little more reliability than a single-engine could," he said.
 
The Air Operations Division utilizes helicopters in a variety of mission applications in and around the Los Angeles area. Aircraft perform air ambulance, search & hoist rescues, and fire fighting services for the community. The fire department relies on the aircraft for its water dropping and high-rise fire fighting capabilities. Mr. Shakstad adds, "With such diverse mission requirements, the aircraft's ease of conversion provides the unit with the ability to respond quickly to different needs."

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