San Antonio Police Dept. puts two Airbus Helicopters EC120s into service

Grand Prairie, Texas – The San Antonio Police Department has placed two new EC120s into service, giving them an all-Airbus Helicopters helicopter fleet for patrol and search-and-rescue missions, according to Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI), the U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters.

 

The agency also operates an Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 for use in fire-fighting, search and rescue, and other special missions.

 

The new EC120s boast a new paint scheme that depicts an eagle swooping down on its prey, and the new patrol helicopters will go by the call sign “EAGLE.” When the helicopters were recently placed into service, city officials were on hand to commemorate the new helicopters, and they were also blessed by the San Antonio Police Department chaplain.

 

“Our new EC120’s are already serving the citizens of San Antonio well, and the features of this helicopter are decreasing pilot fatigue and increasing our effectiveness,” said Sgt. David Torres of the San Antonio Police Department Blue Eagle Helicopter Unit. “We have been operating our AS350B3 since 2007, and we are looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with Airbus Helicopters Inc.”

 

“AHI worked hard to win this competitive bid for the replacement of the San Antonio patrol fleet,” said Ed Van Winkle, Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement. “The EC120 offers the most modern design and advanced technology of any aircraft in its class, and the two new EAGLE helicopters will perform well in the demanding conditions of South Texas.”

 

The EC120 offers a high-technology, low-cost solution and is the best-selling, light single-engine turbine helicopter in the law enforcement market for the past 10 years. It can be custom equipped to specific law enforcement agency requirements. For municipal law enforcement agencies, the Fenestron anti-torque system provides quiet operation, which increases the ability for helicopters to arrive at in-progress calls virtually undetected. With technology that has continued to develop since introduced, the Fenestron also provides more tail rotor authority and lower maintenance requirements than conventional tail rotors.