Atlanta Police order new helicopters
MD Helicopters has announced that the Atlanta Police Department has signed a US$10 million purchase agreement for two MD 530F helicopters
The department has also signed an agreement to convert one of its current MD 500E rotorcraft into an MD 530F, through its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved ‘E to F’ conversion program.
The MD 500E will remain in service until the two new 530Fs become operational in 2023. Following their entry of the new aircraft into service, the 500E will undergo a three-month conversion process – replacing the engine, gearbox, drive shaft and rotor blades.
“The purchase of two new MD 530Fs and the upgrade of our MD 500E converting it to an MD 530F, will standardize and modernize our fleet, reducing risk, improving safety, and increasing operational efficiency at a low operating cost,” said Sgt Newman of the Atlanta Police Department, Aviation Unit. “This will allow the helicopters to be airborne more frequently contributing to the department’s mission of creating a safer Atlanta.”
Atlanta’s city council approved the purchases and conversion on 21 November.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.