Alaska Department of Public Safety is the latest U.S. law enforcement agency to take delivery of a new Eurocopter AS350B3e helicopter and has placed an order with American Eurocopter for a second aircraft to be delivered in early 2014.

The new AStar was delivered in a July 2 ceremony to a crew headed by Lt. Tory Oleck of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, which operates more than 40 aircraft for the Alaska DPS. It will be an important addition to the fleet that provides aerial support to both the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the Alaska State Troopers. The AS350B3e will be permanently based in Fairbanks.

Alaska DPS officials chose the AS350B3e because of its multimission capability, seating capacity, maneuverability and especially its high altitude performance. “We developed what our specifications were and this is the aircraft that met or exceeded them,” Oleck said. “We have to have that capability to go fairly high.”

[HeliHub.com editor note – Alaska DPS also chose it to replace an AS350B3 lost in a tragic accident]

“We are pleased that the Alaska Department of Public Safety has again selected the AStar for conducting wildlife enforcement, search and rescue operations, and other law enforcement support missions,” said Ed Van Winkle, American Eurocopter’s Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement.

Eurocopter AS350-series helicopters remain the leading choice of U.S. law enforcement agencies to provide airborne law enforcement capabilities. There are currently more than 200 AS350s in law enforcement service, outselling the nearest competitor by nearly a three-to-one margin.

The AS350B3e, the newest variant, is equipped with a new Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine with a dual Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. The Arriel 2D engine offers longer time between overhaul (TBO) and decreased maintenance costs and is fitted with an Engine Data Recorder. The AS350B3e cockpit features the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD), which allows the pilot to check key aircraft performance parameters, reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety. Combined with a Garmin 500H glass cockpit display, the AS350B3e continues to lead the industry with technology and capability.

American Eurocopter leads in sales of new helicopters to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, maintaining a 56 percent market share over the last decade with a product line that has become the industry standard. Operators cite reliability, versatility and cost effectiveness as key factors in choosing Eurocopter helicopters.

American Eurocopter will have aircraft on display and representatives available to explain the company’s products and services at Booth 181 during the Airborne Law Enforcement Association Conference in Orlando July 17-20.

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, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer and markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and parapublic helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin aircraft, serving all markets and missions. American Eurocopter’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.