Freelance writer

Randy Padfield

California's Fresno County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) accepted an MD Helicopters MD530F with the manufacturer's new FAA-certified glass cockpit on February 1, it was announced on Tuesday at Heli-Expo 2018.&nbsp;The delivery of the helicopter, dubbed “Eagle 1,” makes FCSO the first airborne law enforcement unit in the country to fly an MD530 with the new avionics system.

 


The glass cockpit in FCSO's MD530F features a Garmin G500H flight display, GTN650H touchscreen GPS navcom, and GTR225 audio panel, as well as an Aero Computers UC-6000 airborne mapping system. In additon, the helicopter has extended landing gear, Fargo 21-gallon auxiliary fuel tank, wire-strike protection and Talon Keeperless hydraulic-release cargo hook.

 


FCSO’s air support unit has operated MD500-series helicopters since its inception more than 20 years ago, logging more than 30,000 flight hours doing search and rescue, pursuit, and aerial support of ground operations. The unit also provides air support to other law enforcement agencies during life-threatening emergency situations.

 


“Our helicopters patrol seven days a week, 365 days a year,” said FCSO sheriff Margaret Mims. “We are excited about the expanded search-and-rescue and high-altitude capabilities the MD530F will deliver."

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