Early in June, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) took delivery of a new MD 530F® Helicopter, expanding their current operating fleet to four MD 530F Models and one MD 500D.
Equipped with the 650 shp Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine and longer main-rotor blades, the MD 530F is the company’s finest high-altitude, hot-day performer. When compared to the MD 500E, the 530F’s tailboom is extended eight inches, and the tail rotor blades are also extended to provide increased thrust and directional control at high altitudes.
The LVMP Air Support Unit began operation in 1969, with a Hughes 300B Model. Since 1973, the unit has flown approximately 142,000 hours. The Air Support Unit consists of 22 helicopter pilots, 2 tactical flight officers and 4 FAA certified aircraft mechanics. All pilots are dual rated as both helicopter and airplane pilots; together they have over 413 years of police experience and more than 73,000 flight hours. All pilots and tactical flight officers are police officers and must have been with LVMPD for 5 years before being eligible to join the Air Support Unit.
The fleet consists of one Hughes 500D, four MD 530Fs, one Bell 407, two Bell UH1N Hueys, and a Cessna Skylane 182. The Air Support Unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and flies 6,000 hours annually. They cover an 8000 square mile region and they handled 15,727 calls for service last year, in addition to performing 153 helicopter-assisted SAR missions. The MD 500D, which is used as a training aircraft, has the unique distinction of having nearly 30,000 flight hours.
The Air Support Unit recently moved into a new state of the art hangar at the North Las Vegas Airport.
The MD 530F increases the operational capabilities, enabling greater mission versatility and performance. This dependable workhorse has greater take-off power at significantly higher hover ceiling levels than its competitors, with in-ground-effect hover capability of 16,000 feet ISA. The MD 530F also retains the family characteristics of speed, agility, low direct operating costs and the ability to operate with ease in confined spaces.
Commenting on the new MD 530F, Lt. Joe Ojeda said, “The relationship between MD and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has been time tested. This is due in great part to quality of workmanship, customer care, durability and ruggedness, ease of service and strong pilot confidence with the ships and their abilities.”
About MD Helicopters, Inc.
MD Helicopters, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters. The MDHI family of rotorcraft is world renowned for its value, versatility and performance. The MD Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer®, and single engine versions of the MD 600N®, MD 520N®, MD 500E® and MD 530F®. The NOTAR® system for anti-torque control is used exclusively by MD Helicopters. The Company is based in Mesa, Arizona. For more information about MDHI visit http://www.mdhelicopters.com/.
About Patriarch Partners LLC
The Patriarch platform is a vertically integrated private equity firm with robust in-house operational turnaround expertise. Patriarch Partners, founded in 2000, was built upon a proprietary patented financial model designed to manage and monetize the distressed portfolios of financial institutions. Patriarch has since evolved into a global investment firm that concentrates on direct investments in distressed businesses with a focus to rebuild them, managing funds with over $7 billion of equity and secured loan assets with equity investments in more than 70 companies, and controlling interests in approximately two-thirds of these. For more information, please visit http://www.patriarchpartners.com.
