Orlando – March 1, 2007 – HAI 2007
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have taken delivery of a new AS 350B3 helicopter from Eurocopter Canada – the 7th to join the RCMP’s fleet of 38 rotor and fixed-wing aircraft — and have exercised their option to buy a 8th. Both of the Eurocopter AS350B3s will be used in western Canada. The one just received will be based in at K Division in Edmonton, Alberta, and will bee used for searches (missing persons, suspects, or property), aerial photography, and transportation of special police units to remote areas; among other duties. The B3 just ordered will be based in Comox, BC, and will be tasked with contract work for the province, plus some federal duties such as drug interdiction.
“With its powerful engine, heavy-lift capability, and spacious cabin, the B3 is well-suited to our mission,” says Chief Superintendent John Henderson, the officer in charge of the RCMP’s Ottawa Air Services. “Our mandate is to provide operational and administrative support to all aspects of RCMP policing services across Canada, which we fulfill using 150 staff and 18 Air Service Units strategically located across Canada. The B3 is a rugged, reliable aircraft that can deal with the extremes of the Canadian climate.”
Equipped with a Safran Arriel 2B turbine engine with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), the AS 350B3 is the high performance, heavy-duty single engine helicopter of the Eurocopter line. It offers room for 6-7 occupants, a maximum weight capacity of 2,250 kgs/4,960 lbs, and a fast cruising speed of 140 knots (279 kph).
2007 marks the 70th anniversary of the RCMP’s Air Services Branch. Charged with policing Canada’s vast rural and remote lands, the RCMP has always done its duty using the most advanced investigative techniques at hand. This is why the ‘Mounties’ have long relied on aircraft for sending in officers on an emergency basis, conducting searches, transporting prisoners, and a myriad of other duties. One of their longest serving aircraft, a ‘Grumman Goose’ flying boat with almost 50 years’ service to its credit, is now found in the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa.
“It is a great honour to be associated with the RCMP, their long traditions, and their record of public service,” says Edouard Gaillat, President of Eurocopter Canada Limited. We are also appreciative that, with 70 years of unparalleled experience in law enforcement aviation, the RCMP continues to put their faith in Eurocopter helicopters.”
Eurocopter Canada Limited (www.eurocopter.ca) is a subsidiary of Eurocopter. Eurocopter Canada based in Fort Erie, Ontario has customer support centres in Vancouver, British Columbia and Montreal, Quebec. Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civilian/commercial and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest range of commercial and military helicopters in the world.
100 years of vertical flight
The first vertical flight ever made was made by Paul Cornu in 1907. Since then great pioneering spirit, technological advances and innovative ideas have turned the helicopter into an aircraft without which air rescue as we know it would be unimaginable and which makes a significant contribution towards the safety and protection of individuals and to economic development. Eurocopter is proud to join in celebrating this centenary and its own passion for helicopters in 2007.
| For more information, please contact: | |
| Laura SENECAL Tel : + 905 871-7772 Fax :+ 905 871-3599 laura.senecal[at]eurocopter.ca Eurocopter Canada Limited |
Cécile VION-LANCTUIT Tel: + 33 (0)1 49 34 45 04 Mob:+ 33 (0)6 72 83 90 67 cecile.vion-lanctuit[at]eurocopter.com |
| Christina GOTZHEIN Tel : + 49 (0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax :+ 49 (0) 89 6000 44 37 christina.gotzhein[at]eurocopter.com |
Jesus RUIZ Tel: +34 91 379.66.04 Fax: +34 91 379 66 10 jesus.ruiz[at]eurocopter.com |
Website: www.eurocopter.com
