Small MD 500E Turns in Big Performance in Wichita
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 21, 2004 – One small helicopter is making a really big impact on law enforcement in Wichita, Kansas.
The Air Section of the Wichita Police Department has been operating its MD 500E® for just more than a year, with dramatically positive results for the city and its 350,000 residents, according to Lt. Paul Shields, commander of the Air Section.
“Our new MD 500E has dramatically revitalized every aspect of our operations,” Shields said. “The MD has proven to be perfectly suited in terms of meeting the needs of our particular mission profile. The MD 500E has allowed us to do a lot of flying, and a lot of consistent flying, both of which are obviously key elements to an effective and efficient police helicopter patrol program like ours.”
The support for the helicopter extends to the highest levels of the police department. "The MD 500E helicopter has exceeded our expectations,” said Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams. “It has enabled us to increase officer safety and to provide great air service to the community of Wichita.”
The MD 500E logged nearly 1,000 hours in its first year of operation, more than the Unit had ever flown in a year with its fleet of piston-powered helicopters, Shields said. Wichita has found that its proactive helicopter patrols with the turbine-powered MD 500E have been very successful in deterring, preventing, and suppressing crime, and the statistics bear that out.
During 2002, prior to acquiring the new MD 500E, the Air Section made or assisted with 256 apprehensions. During 2003, with the new MD 500E, the Air Section made or assisted with 640 apprehensions. Through a combination of proactive patrols, 911-driven service demand, special assignment missions, and various requests for assistance, the helicopter responded to more than 45,000 calls and activities.
Response time is a key factor in the success of any air unit, and Wichita is no exception. “Our line of work demands a real need for speed, and the MD 500E has performed exactly as advertised,” Shields said. “The ship’s proven speed capability has allowed us to get where we need to be in a hurry, and that has resulted in improved response times, crime scene containments and apprehension rates.”
Since taking delivery of the new MD 500E, the Air Section has averaged an overall “first on
scene” response rate of 98 percent. During 2002, the Air Section averaged an overall “first on scene” response rate of 62 percent.
The five-place MD 500E delivers speed, payload and productivity, and is renowned for its speed, agility and reliability, making it a favorite of law enforcers around the world. The MD 500E is available with a four-blade tail rotor for quiet performance.
Based in Mesa, Ariz., MDHI manufactures and sells a line of high-performance light twin- and single-engine helicopters, including the MD Explorer®, MD 600N®, MD 520N®, MD 530F®, and MD 500E®. The company also produces armed versions of its entire product line.
Only MD Helicopters feature the patented NOTAR® system for anti-torque control.
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/news/current%20Releases/Wichita%20police.htm
MDHI Delivers MD500E to Wichita PD for Airborne Law Enforcement
MESA, Arizona, April 29, 2003
The Air Section of the Wichita, Kan., Police Department has taken delivery of a single engine MD 500E for airborne law enforcement that will be the "Crown Jewel" of the Unit, according to Lt. Paul Shields, Commander of the Air Section.
Wichita chose the MD 500E after two years of "extensive and intensive" research. "We had very high expectations going into the MD 500E turbine transition phase of the 'New Helicopter Project,' and MD Helicopters both met and far exceeded our expectations in every way," Shields said.
Tentative plans have been made to showcase the new aircraft in a manner so that it will be displayed, yet available for service, as part of the MDHI exhibit at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) 33rd annual conference and exposition July 23-26 in Wichita.
Wichita, a charter member of the venerable “Operation Sky Knight” police helicopter program, had previously operated piston-powered helicopters for more than 32 years. Its move to a turbine-engine helicopter is the culmination of recently implemented overall modernization plan.
The turbine-powered MD 500E will enable Wichita to expand its mission beyond proactive patrol to a multi-mission profile that will include pursuit management, narcotic enforcement and interdiction, surveillance, homeland security, and more. The Air Section serves a customer base of more than1 million people in an area that spans 150 square miles.
“MD 500s remain at the forefront of airborne law enforcement because they are so ideally suited for the mission,” said Henk Schaeken, chairman and chief executive officer of MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI). “The aircraft appeals to both new customers, like Wichita, and repeat customers. It has a wide appeal because it gets the job done.”
For airborne law enforcers who need additional cabin space, MDHI offers the single-engine MD 600N. Other MD helicopters include the twin-engine MD Explorer, the MD 520N and the MD 530F.
http://www.rotorhub.com/news/0304/md1.htm
Wichita Police Select MD 500E for Airborne Law Enforcement
MESA, Ariz., Oct. 1, 2002 -- The Air Section of the Wichita, Kan., Police Department has ordered a single-engine MD 500E for airborne law enforcement that will be the "crown jewel" of the Unit, according to Lt. Paul Shields, Commander of the Air Section.
In addition to Wichita, Phoenix, Columbus, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Mesa, and Oklahoma City have ordered a total of nine MD helicopters in 2002 for airborne law enforcement missions.
According to Shields, Wichita selected the MD 500E after two years of "extensive and intensive" research. Delivery of the new aircraft is expected in the first quarter of 2003.
Wichita, a charter member of the venerable "Operation Sky Knight" police helicopter program, had previously operated piston-powered helicopters for more than 32 years. Its move to a turbine-engine helicopter is part of an overall modernization plan.
The turbine-powered MD 500E will enable Wichita to expand its mission beyond proactive patrol to a multi-mission profile that will include pursuit management, narcotic enforcement and interdiction, surveillance, homeland security, and more. "We feel that the MD 500E is the premier field utility helicopter and is ideally suited to meet the unique and rigorous demands of police patrol work," Shields said.
The Air Section serves a customer base of more than1 million people in an area that spans 150 square miles.
"MD 500s remain at the forefront of airborne law enforcement because they are so ideally suited for the mission," said Henk Schaeken, chairman and chief executive officer of MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI). "The aircraft appeals to both new customers, like Wichita, and repeat customers, such as Phoenix. It has a wide appeal because it gets the job done."
For airborne law enforcers who need additional cabin space, MDHI offers the single-engine MD 600N. Other MD helicopters include the twin-engine MD Explorer, the MD 520N and the MD 530F.
http://www.mdhelicopters.com/News/_Archive_News/2002