LASD receives 3 new Puma utility helicopters

[LAflyer]

To replace the departments venerable 40-year old Sikorsky Sea-Kings, the LASD on August 3rd received 3 new Eurocopter AS232 Super Puma utility helicopters.
These three craft when they enter operational service in 2012 will serve in the role of “Air Rescue 5” utilized for land and sea rescue missions including onboard paramedics.

This purchase is in addition to orders for 14 Eurocopter Astar 350’s which will be replacing the departments current patrol fleet.

Nice pics of the delivery, and cross county flight to Long Beach can be viewed at this link.
AS 332L1 Super Puma

I wonder if the choppers will get any color, or if they will remain all dark blue? Seems you’d want them to be more visible considering the nature of their operations.

 

[W2NJS]

For everyone's information:

"AS 332L1 - Stretched civil version, with a long fuselage and an airline interior."

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Tail Numbers:

N486AE - Airport-data.com photo
N212AE - JetPhotos.net Photo - ex reg F-WQEE
N588AE

Search for Aircraft by Model EUROCOPTER AS332L1
http://www.airport-data.com/search/search2.html?field=model&search=Search&code=Eurocopter+AS332L1

Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS332_Super_Puma

 

[jrholm]

I believe they are supposed to get the standard green and gold paint scheme.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

ummm...

Notice N212AE was on the move on Aug 30th. It was logged(ModeS A1C0F5) heading north and over Oregon state...

 

[Code20Photog]

The "oldtimers" will get this reference:

I wonder if the Pumas will ever have to lift anyone out of a cravice or have to go down and get them, meaning "There's a puma in that cravice..."

[crickets...]

 

[jrholm]

If you want a Puma reference how about, "Ehhhhhhhh, I don't like coffee, it gives meeeeeee a headache"

 

[DPD1]

This is another procurement that puzzles me. Thought they originally wanted 60s to go with the FD hawks. But OK... It adds variety.

 

[Eng74]

Maybe when LACoFD had problem getting parts for the Firehawks it changed the LASO mind. Then again it could have been one of the lowest bid won too.

 

[LAflyer]

The background on the choppers is as follows.

Back in 2007 LASD began informal research for replacement of the aging Sikorsky SH-3 fleet (all Navy hand me downs built circa 1960s).
Operations of the SH-3 fleet has continued to get ever more challenging due to their age and unpredictable maintenance issues and cost. LASD has had to cannibalize 3 other airframes to keep the 3 operational frames going.

By 2009 LASD concluded the SH-3 would indeed to be replaced due to their decreased reliability and rising maintenance cost especially with expected significant depot maintenance events due by 2012-2013. In cooperation with independent outside analyst various replacement models were reviewed.
By 2010, the top identified replacement platforms was the Sikorsky S-92 followed by the Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma. Unfortunately the state of the County’s economy made these options untenable as the cost of mere 2 airframes would exceed $70mil.

In effort to identify less costly alternatives, by early 2011 the department managed to locate 3 pre-owned but low time AS232 Puma’s, a slightly smaller platform than the EC225. The aircraft in near new condition would cost the county approximately $45mil. Additionally virtually the entire purchase price and some of the refitting cost would be covered by a commercial lease-purchase financing to be paid over 12-years that would greatly reduce the County cash outlay.

As a bonus the County also managed to get “several million dollars worth” of Puma tooling and spares from Eurocopter at no extra cost as part of its ongoing 2010 authorized order of 14 Eurocopter AStar’s.

=

 

[Eng74]

As a bonus the County also managed to get “several million dollars worth” of Puma tooling and spares from Eurocopter at no extra cost as part of its ongoing 2010 authorized order of 14 Eurocopter AStar’s.

=

14 Eurocopters AStars is that number right? I could see 4 but 14 seems like a big number of copters even for LASD.

 

[LAflyer]

Yes 14.

Here is the press release from back in 2010. Original order was for 12 plus options on 2. The options have since been exercised.
American Eurocopter - Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department purchases 12 AS350 B2 helicopters

With 14 in the fleet, the goal is to have 10 flight ready on a daily basis, and as a baseline 3-4 are airborne at any one time on patrol. A few of the fleet are also configured for non-patrol duties such as high level reconnaissance and photo missions.

 

[DPD1]

Most of the ones they have now aren't that old, but they put a lot of time on those things. Not only regular patrol, but SAR, anti drug missions, fed missions... They may be operating under the plan of retiring ships with less wear, thereby saving maint. costs and having a better return value. Pretty much the same thing most municipalities do with vehicles nowadays.

 

[LAflyer]

14 might seem like a large number, but lets keep in mind LACo is a very large place at about 4,800 sq miles.
In order to keep 3-4 airborne at any one time, that means 8 or so are needed in the daily flying schedule rotation. Even so, there is often a lack of air coverage with calls being declined and potential long responses. Prior the patrol fleet had been 12 frames, and in 2010 it was decided to raise that to 14 to allow average of 10 ships to be flight ready daily.

The replacement target on the patrol ships is 7 years / 7,000 flight hours. The previous fleet of AStar are indeed being sold off to other parties. For instance Long Beach picked up a pair few months ago for $3.4mil.

For trivia – the Sheriff Aero Squadron was formed back in 1926, and even operated a blimp….

 

[jrholm]

14 Eurocopters AStars is that number right? I could see 4 but 14 seems like a big number of copters even for LASD.

Remember you're talking about a department of 10,000 sworn covering a county of 9.8 million people. Even 14 is barely cutting it.

 

[DPD1]

Plus, their coverage will probably grow, since a lot of cities are cutting back air ops.

 

[jlanfn]

Photos...

...in the green and gold.


N950SG by Air Zone Photo, on Flickr

 

[Code20Photog]

The "oldtimers" will get this reference:

I wonder if the Pumas will ever have to lift anyone out of a cravice or have to go down and get them, meaning "There's a puma in that cravice..."

[crickets...]

Oh, I got it, and I'm not even an "oldtimer"

boil that cabbage down boy, boil that cabbage down...

 

[Markb]

Heard N950SG checking in with Los Alamitos tower for pattern work this morning. ID'ed as "Sheriff's 5" and also saw him on my Mode-S box as well.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Good catch for N950SG (AD363E)
Per the Mode-S logs. It came down from Washington/Oregon to California on September 25th, 2012.

N950SG AS332L1 LA County Sheriff | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Landing at ZBB after long-line practice


Didn't see any other hits or new photos for N951LB (AD395A) or N952JH (AD3CE5).