American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that the Ontario (CA) Police Department has ordered its third AS350 B2. The aircraft, which will enter service in late spring, will primarily be used for aerial patrol and special operations surveillance throughout the department’s service area in and around Ontario, California.

The single-engine AS350 B2 offers the best performance in its category. With built-in maneuverability, superb visibility and low vibration levels in the cabin, the AS350 B2 has become a preferred platform for U.S. law enforcement agencies across the nation.

“The AS350 B2 is the perfect aircraft for our operation,” said Eric Weidner, Sergeant and Officer in Charge of the Ontario Police Department’s Air Support Unit. “With its payload and performance capabilities, the AS350 B2 has allowed us to continue to evolve as a department and expand the type of missions we perform.”

The Ontario Police Department, which has been operating helicopters since 1989, acquired its first B2 in 2002. The Air Support Unit has nine full-time officers and flies 365 days a year. The unit averages around 1000 hours per year on each of their two airframes, with 70-80% of their flights flown at night.

“We spend a lot of time in the air so the AS350 B2’s comfortable platform, both in terms of cabin spaciousness and flexibility, coupled with its low noise signature, are important features,” continued Weidner. “This reduces crew fatigue, allows for safer operations, and makes us environmentally friendly.”

The high reliability of the AS350 B2 provides the Ontario Police Department with the dispatch availability that is critical to their operation. “In addition to the superb dependability of the aircraft itself, the service and support we receive from American Eurocopter is exceptional,” added Weidner. “We have been extremely satisfied with the support we receive, which certainly was a key consideration as we looked to add a new aircraft to our fleet.”

About American Eurocopter

American Eurocopter is the U.S. affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer and markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. American Eurocopter’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, TX, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, MS.