New MSP Helicopters arrive at Martin State Airport

[md_p97]

Maryland Today - First two new police helicopters arrive in Maryland
Originally published February 25, 2013, 8:44 AM - Updated 4:57 PM, February
25, 2013

By AP
Associated Press

First 2 new police helicopters arrive in Maryland

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (AP) - The Maryland State Police are set to get their
first two new helicopters.

The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters are scheduled to arrive at Martin State
Airport in Middle River on Monday afternoon.

The new helicopters are the first of 10 the state has contracts for with
AgustaWestland. They will replace Maryland's current fleet of 11
helicopters.

Maryland State Police say 10 of those are more than 20 years old.

The new helicopters have been bought to enable the Maryland State Police
Aviation Command to continue its unique multiple mission capability of
Medevac, search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security.

Police say two more helicopters are expected to arrive Tuesday. Another two
are due Wednesday.

***

Damn, wish I didn't have meetings this week....I'd love to be there when
they came in. If anyone makes it out, I would appreciate if you could post a pic or two.

Paul

 

[md_p97]

Arrival of new Maryland State police helicopters postponed - The Washington Post

The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters were scheduled to arrive at Martin State Airport in Middle River on Monday afternoon.

Troopers said final paperwork is still being reviewed and completed. Police said delivery could be Tuesday, depending on the weather.

 

[Mark]

MSP Aviation says Trooper 3 and 5 for Western Maryland will be first to
transition to new choppers.
Trooper 3 and Trooper 5 will be the first sections to begin transitioning. Due to the mountainous terrain of western Maryland, these two sections will greatly benefit from the increased safety and hoist capabilities of the new aircraft.

Their facebook page promises photos when they arrive.

https://www.facebook.com/mspaviation

 

[Mark]

Arrived today.. Look like N385MD and 386MD on photos page.

New Arrivals | Facebook

 

[boatbod]

My brother has been involved in this project. His area of specialty is reliability engineerering and he works out of the AW facility in the UK. Must say we haven't discussed it that much, but I do recall him saying these are going to be a big improvement over the existing Dauphins

 

[Mark]

They added video arrival to their Facebook page..

I think 3rd trailing chopper in video was AW-119 from NE Philly probably to pick up pilots
and take them home..
N119HF

After work noticed I mode s logged for first time two other future MSP choppers flying together
Maybe they delivered two more later in the afternoon..Maybe out for test flight.
(A463CF) N382MD FL1200 feet 1508 local
(A46B3D) N384MD FL1000 feet 1509 local.