Department Operates Fleet Of AS350 AStars

At a ceremony held in their Grand Prairie, TX, Delivery Center on Friday, American Eurocopter delivered an EC145 to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). It is the first EC145 for the department and it will complement a fleet that already includes 13 Eurocopter AS350 AStar helicopters.

Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter, was on hand to deliver the keys to Colonel Stan Clark, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Chief Pilot Bill Nabors, Assistant Chief Pilot John Brannon, and pilots Lieutenant Greg Bourland and Sergeant Nick Granelli.

"We are honored that the Texas DPS continues to choose our helicopters to expand its fleet and to perform their missions," said Paganini. "Our relationship with the department spans over 20 years and this EC145 will usher in a new era and will allow them to expand their level of service throughout the state."

The EC145 will provide the Texas DPS with a larger, faster and more powerful helicopter that will allow them to expand the support of their aerial unit. The aircraft is expected to perform a variety of missions including law enforcement, search and rescue, fire suppression, public safety as well as support during tactical operations.

Powered by two Turbomeca ARRIEL engines, the Texas DPS EC145 is a true multi-mission helicopter. It features a modern MEGHAS glass cockpit, optional IFR configuration with digital autopilot for both single or dual pilot applications. The aircraft delivers a top speed of 145 kts, a fast cruising speed of 131 kts, and duration of almost four hours aloft.

A variant of the EC145 was chosen by the US Army for their Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program and it is rapidly becoming the platform of choice throughout many industries in the United States. The aircraft is widely accepted with air medical services (AMS) operators and its proven track record in this industry did play a factor for the Texas DPS in their decision to purchase the aircraft.

The Texas DPS is a long-time operator of AS350 AStars, the first of which entered into service in 1984.

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com, www.txdps.state.tx.us