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Wichita Police Department Air Section Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Mesa, Arizona, November 16, 2010… MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) joins with the Wichita (KS) Police Department Air Section in celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The WPD Air Section is one of the original 13 charter members of "Operation Sky Knight," the first formal police helicopter patrol program in the United States. The program was initially launched as a pilot program by the Los Angeles (CA) Sheriff's Department.

The Air Section owns and operates an MD 500E and is budgeted to fly up to 1,000 hours annually. The unit's full-time staff is comprised of Lt. Paul J. Shields (Supervisor/Pilot); Officer Peter D. Dolieslager (Pilot); Officer Bradley E. Carver (Tactical Flight Officer); and David L. Frye (Director of Maintenance). Since its inception, the unit has logged over 50,000 flight hours.

The Air Section’s motto is “A Proud Tradition of Providing Airborne Public Service since 1970. ” They became operational in January of that year flying Hughes/Schweizer Model 300B/C piston powered helicopters for 33 years until upgrading to the current MD 500E.

Wichita, located in south central Kansas, is the largest city in the State, with a population in excess of 375,000 and a geographic area over 150 square miles. As a three-time “All American City” winner, Wichita offers its residents and visitors a quality of life that is clean, safe, and growing. It serves as the financial, transportation, and distribution center of the central Kansas region. From the earliest days of the aircraft industry, Wichita has been a leading producer of general aviation, commercial, and military aircraft and is universally recognized as “The Air Capital of the World.” The Wichita Police Department's personnel strength includes a compliment of over 800 commissioned officers and non-commissioned, civilian employees. The Air Section is dedicated to supporting officers assigned to the field at the operational level and plays a vital role in the Department's “Safe and Secure Community” Public Safety Initiative.

MD 500E
For more than 20 years the MD 500E has earned its reputation as a hands-down favorite, delivering the highest speed, payload and productivity in its class.

Like others in the MD 500 Series, the MD 500E features ample cabin space for five, with unsurpassed visibility. The large, flat floor provides plenty of room for cargo, and the useful internal load of 1,519 pounds (689 kg) is ideally suited for most utility operations. The T-shaped instrument panel provides space for a full complement of modern avionics.

With a five-bladed main rotor and the choice of a 420-shp Rolls Royce 250- C20B or 450-shp Rolls Royce 250-C20R turbine engine, the MD 500E cruises easily at 135 kt (250 kph) over a range of 258 nm (478 km). For applications where noise is a concern, the MD 500E can be equipped with a four-bladed tail rotor for quiet performance. Proven reliability of the derated turbine engine, fail-safe design and a worldwide network of factory-authorized service centers make it a favorite of Police Departments around the globe.

About MD Helicopters, Inc.
MD Helicopters, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters. The MDHI family of rotorcraft is world renowned for its value, versatility and performance. The MD Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer®, and single engine versions of the MD 600N®, MD 520N®, MD 500E® and MD 530F®. The NOTAR® system for anti-torque control is used exclusively by MD Helicopters. The Company is based in Mesa, AZ. For more information about MDHI visit

http://www.mdhelicopters.com.

About Patriarch Partners LLC
The Patriarch platform is a vertically integrated private equity firm with robust in-house operational turnaround expertise. Patriarch Partners, founded in 2000, was built upon a proprietary patented financial model designed to manage and monetize the distressed portfolios of financial institutions. Patriarch has since evolved into a global investment firm that concentrates on direct investments in distressed businesses with a focus to rebuild them, managing funds with over $7 billion of equity and secured loan assets with equity investments in more than 70 companies, and controlling interests in approximately two-thirds of these. For more information, please visit http://www.patriarchpartners.com.

Contact: Art Fiacco 480 346 6566

http://www.mdhelicopters.com/news/pdf/111610.pdf

Wichita PD Air Section Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Wichita (KS) Police Department Air Section is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. The WPD Air Section is one of the original 13 charter members of "Operation Sky Knight," the first formal police helicopter patrol program in the United States which was initially launched as a pilot program by the Los Angeles (CA) Sheriff's Department.

The Air Section owns and operates one 2003 MD 500E light single turbine and is budgeted to fly up to 1,000 hours annually. The unit's full-time staff is comprised of Lt. Paul J. Shields (Supervisor/Pilot); Officer Peter D. Dolieslager (Pilot); Officer Bradley E. Carver (Tactical Flight Officer); and David L. Frye (Director of Maintenance). Since its inception, the unit has logged over 50,000 flight hours without a serious injury or fatality.

The Wichita Police Department's personnel strength includes a compliment of over 800 commissioned officers and non-commissioned civilian employees. The Air Section is dedicated to supporting officers assigned to the field at the operational level and plays a vital role in the department's “Safe and Secure Community” Public Safety Initiative.

Source: Wichita Police Department

http://www.alea.org/public/newsletters/10_10/index.htm#5

Wichita Police Department Logs 3,000 Accident-Free Flight Hours in the MD 500E®

WICHITA - October 4, 2006 - The Wichita Police Department, a charter member of the "Operation Sky Knight" police helicopter patrol program, has logged nearly 3,000 accident-free flight hours in its MD 500E since the Department took delivery of the aircraft in May 2003.

The Department's helicopter patrol unit was formed in 1970 and selected the MD 500E as its first turbine-powered helicopter. The unit serves the Wichita city population of more than 350,000 and has consistently averaged monthly and annual "First Unit On Scene Response" rates of nearly 100 percent since taking delivery of the MD 500E.

"Some of the positive attributes that sold us on the MD 500E include its built-in safety features; speed; agility and maneuverability; and economy of operation," said Lieutenant Paul J. Shields, supervisor and pilot for the Wichita Police Department Air section. "In terms of the airframe itself, we are convinced that the MD 500E remains a top performer in its category as a light observation helicopter."

"The five-place MD 500E delivers speed, payload, productivity, and is renowned for its agility, reliability and low cost of operation, making it a favorite of law enforcers around the world," said MD Helicopters VP of Sales and Marketing, David Oglesbee. "The MD 500E is also available with a four-blade tail rotor for quiet performance."

About MD Helicopters:
MD Helicopters is a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters. The MDHI family of rotorcraft is world renowned for their value, versatility and performance. The MD Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer®, and single engine versions of the MD 600N®, MD 520N®, MD 500E® and MD 530F®. The NOTAR® system for anti-torque control is the exclusive property of MD Helicopters. The Company is based in Mesa, Arizona.

About Patriarch Partners, LLC
Patriarch Partners, LLC is an investment firm in New York and Charlotte, North Carolina which together with its affiliates, provides portfolio management services and serves as investment advisor to multiple leveraged funds and a private equity fund. Founded in 2000 by Lynn Tilton, Patriarch provides innovative financial solutions, strategic direction and operational expertise to companies undergoing periods of pervasive change. Patriarch currently monitors credit facilities in respect to approximately $5 billion dollars of assets under its management, including equity positions (majority and minority) in more than 65 companies. Lynn Tilton serves as Chairman of the Board of MDHI. Funds managed by Patriarch Partners own a majority and controlling interest in MDHI.

Contact: Debbie Jones, MDHI
(480) 346-6474
debbie@mdhelicopters.com

http://www.mdhelicopters.com/popup.php?sid=10.04.06

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 Releases/Wichita police.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