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March 11, 2023

Idaho County Begins Donation-Funded Helicopter Program

Kootenai Sheriff’s will Operate Bell 206 on $71,500/yr Budget

Kootenai county, Idaho has embarked on a different sort of fleet management after they purchased a 1994 Bell 206 with donated funds, planning to operate the unit on an all-volunteer basis with a limited budget. The Kootenai County Regional Air Support Unit was founded as a 501(c)(3), and will operate their $500,000 helo with volunteer pilots flying search and rescue missions. While the Bell 206 was purchased sans appropriate SAR equipment, the Sheriff’s office will put up $100,000 in asset forfeiture funding to purchase a thermal camera, spotlighting, and cabling.

From 2014 (YouTube Version:) Stunning Application of RPV Helo Tech By Yamaha

During his visit at the 2014 convention of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell talked with Steve Markofski who is with the New Business Planning division of Yamaha Motor USA. If you have ever shown any interest in the operation of model helicopters, you’ve got to see these big brother variations. Found on display were their RMAX and brand-new FAZER remote-controlled helicopters.