22-Feb-2010 Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc (MDHI) delivered three new MD 500E® Helicopters to the Houston Police Department Air Support Division over the span of three months last fall.
The first delivery was made at the 2009 Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Annual Conference and Exposition on July 23. The two newest were delivered on September 29 and October 1. With the completion of these deliveries, the Air Support Division now has a fleet of 10 MD 500E Helicopters. “With each new delivery we expand the coverage and flexibility of our unit and increase the safety of our citizens,†said Dan Schwarzbach, a 24 year member of the Houston Police Department Air Support Division and Chief Financial Officer of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association.
FOX News, the Houston Police Air Support Division newsletter, described the use of the new MD 500E’s as follows: “Equipped with current technology (including FLIR Systems, spotlights and video downlink) HPD air crews will be better prepared to provide faster response times and critical ‘aerial perspective’ information as they assist ground-based patrol officers, supporting felony arrests, search and rescue efforts, storm damage assessment and other public safety missions.â€
The Houston Air Support Division flies in excess of 6,000 flight hours per year in support of law enforcement and homeland security missions and has accumulated more than 176,000 hours of flight time on MD500 series aircraft. The speed, agility, payload and proven low operating cost make the MD 500E ideal for law enforcement missions.
Houston is one of the first cities to establish an airborne law enforcement program in the United States. It has operated the MD500 series aircraft since 1975.
“This delivery will continue the long term relationship with MD Helicopters and reinforce the reputation of the Houston Police Department as a leader in law enforcement aviation,†continued Schwarzbach. “The MD 500E can be found in law enforcement organizations around the world, commented Robert Molsbergen, President of MD Helicopters. “And for good reason – it is fast, agile, safe and reliable. It is also the least expensive aircraft to maintain in its category.â€
“MD Helicopters is grateful to the Houston Police Department for its loyalty to our aircraft and to our company and we look forward to the continuity of our relationship†said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer of MD.
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, Ariz. For more information about MDHI visit http://www.mdhelicopters.com.
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The Patriarch platform is a vertically integrated private equity firm with robust in-house operational turnaround expertise. Patriarch Partners, LLC (“Patriarch”), 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 the focus to rebuild, 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 www.patriarchpartners.com.