The Czech Police Aviation Department (CPAD) is celebrating two key milestones this month: its 75th year of service, and the 10,000th flight hour logged by the department’s Eurocopter EC135 helicopter fleet.

With the CPAD’s broad operational responsibilities – which range from aerial surveillance and emergency medical airlift to firefighting and search & rescue – its eight EC135s have demonstrated their flexibility in performing police and parapublic missions since entering service with the department in 2004.

“The Czech Police Aviation Department was the first law enforcement organization in Eastern Europe to select Eurocopter helicopters for this type of mission. We are particularly proud to recognize the agency – with whom we have established a true partnership – as it celebrates these two important milestones,” said Olivier Michalon, Eurocopter Vice President Eastern-Mediterranean Europe & Central Asia.

Eurocopter has established a close industrial relationship in the Czech Republic since 2003, which includes contracting the in-country production of components that include hardware for Ecureuil helicopters and doors for Airbus jetliners. This work is assigned to both large and small Czech companies, supporting the country’s industrial growth and contributing to the development of its economy.

In addition to the CPAD’s eight EC135s, the agency also operates two Eurocopter BO-105 helicopters as part of its rotary-wing aircraft fleet.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’