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

The trend has continued as American Eurocopter finds wide customer acceptance with law enforcement for the AS350B3e, the latest variant in the rugged, high performance AStar lineup of single-engine helicopters. It offers enhanced maneuverability, reduced pilot workload and has the best performance in its category.

“The reason for the AStar’s continued success is its ability to conduct a wide variety of missions while also being a cost-effective platform,” said Ed Van Winkle, American Eurocopter’s Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement. “The new Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine in the AS350B3e provides higher time between overhaul (TBO) while keeping operating costs low, which is important when budgets are tight.”

American Eurocopter recently delivered a new AS350B3e to the Utah Highway Patrol. “We’re more than a little excited to get the new B3e,” said Utah Highway Patrol Capt. Luke Bowman.
The new helicopter’s payload and high altitude capabilities will be put to good use by the agency, especially for its search and rescue operations.

“We’re really looking forward to the extra power, the extra capability to operate at 12,000-13,000 feet. We did a couple of rescues at 12,000-12,500 feet last year,” Bowman said.

The Austin Police Department Air Support Division is also looking forward to putting the added capabilities of the AS350B3e to work for a variety of missions in central Texas. “It will have enough guts we can put several fully equipped tactical officers in the back if we need to do a tactical insertion,” said Lt. Kurt Rothert. “We’re going to have a hook with a Bambi bucket for fire response.”

The Arriel 2D engine offers increased reliability and decreased maintenance costs and is fitted with an Engine Data Recorder. The AS350 B3e cockpit, with its dual LCD-screen Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD), allows the pilot to check at a glance key aircraft performance parameters, reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety. Combined with a Garmin G500H 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 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.