Rotorhub 
First of eight new helicopters for Bavaria is delivered
The first of eight new EC135s for the Bavarian Police has been delivered during a ceremony at the Eurocopter plant in Donauworth.
The aircraft, which were ordered back in August 2008, were purchased under a €60 million contract as part of a wide-ranging programme which aims to boost homeland security provision in the German state.
Speaking at the handover, interior minister Joachim Herrmann said: 'The eight new police helicopters are an important investment in the safety of Bavarian citizens.
'Our goal is to keep Bavaria as a nationwide leader in terms of homeland security. That is why we are in 2009 and 2010 we have added more than 1,000 additional police officers and provided more technical equipment of the Bavarian police.'
'Whether it comes to looking for missing persons or to seek offenders, identify traffic problems, or rescue people from dangerous situations, the helicopter is able to help quickly and competently and provide valuable assistance to their colleagues on the ground.'
Last year alone, the helicopters operated by the Bavarian Police carried out more than 3,300 flight operations and flew more than 4,000 flight hours.
Dr. Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Eurocopter Germany GmbH, added: 'We are glad to be delivering these new, advanced police helicopters and proud that we can continue the long and trustful cooperation with the Bavarian helicopter squadron. The Bavarian police is a demanding European reference client whose trust we honor. My thanks also to our employees who make this outstanding helicopter.'
The Bavarian Police EC135’s can be fitted with a range of equipment including a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera, a high-resolution digital day and night vision camera, SatCOM, GPS, a digital map device, Tetra digital radio, the FLARM collision warning system, a tactical direction finder, a digital flight management system and a GSM telephone. Suitable for operation under IFR (instrument flight rules), the helicopters are fitted with glass cockpits approved for operations with night vision goggles. A rescue hoist, an external load hook system and four rescue winches are also part of the contract.
The winches can be installed on each of the eight helicopters as and when required. The contract signed with the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior includes a letter of intent for power-by-the-hour service over a period of at least ten years.
Email this to a friend.
