It has transpired recently that Alaska State Troopers have grounded one of their two AS350B3 helicopters in an attempt to save money, and they only have a guarantee to fly the second until the end of June 2016.  A budget decision awaits the future of the unit beyond that date.

The Troopers have grounded “Helo-2” at their Fairbanks base, and retain “Helo-3” at Anchorage.  The first was delivered in spring 2013 (N911AA serial 7536) and the second (N911NT serial 7665) a year later, according to an Airbus press release which HeliHub.com ran here.  [The “Helo-1” name was retired following a fatal accident of an earlier helicopter in March 2013].

The Alaska Department of Public Safety utilizes its helicopters to support operations throughout the state and to supplement a large fleet of fixed-wing aircraft. Since most areas of Alaska are not accessible by road, the agency’s aircraft fleet acts as a force multiplier for troopers on the ground with the goal of providing a safe and secure environment for the Alaska residents.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com