TRAVEL

40 years of Phoenix police helicopters

The first Phoenix Police helicopter was a Hughes 300C model which came onto the scene in 1974 when the aviation division was established with a single helicopter. Shortly after that a fixed wing aircraft and two more helicopters were added. This photo was shot on April 30th, 1976 . The two seater had space for a single portable police radio, a siren/PA which was removed from a patrol car and a searchlight.
The first Phoenix Police helicopter was a Hughes 300C model which came onto the scene in 1974 when the aviation division was established with a single helicopter. Shortly after that a fixed wing aircraft and two more helicopters were added. This photo was shot on April 30th, 1976 . The two seater had space for a single portable police radio, a siren/PA which was removed from a patrol car and a searchlight.
Arizona Republic Archive
April 11, 1974 Bill Neal on patrol in the two seater Hughes 300C.
April 11, 1974 Bill Neal on patrol in the two seater Hughes 300C.
Arizona Republic Archive
April 1974 Bill Neal scrambles into the Hughes 300C before beginning patrol.
April 1974 Bill Neal scrambles into the Hughes 300C before beginning patrol.
Arizona Republic Archive
In May 1976, Phoenix Police Sgt. Anthony Kruczynski on patrol in the South Mountain area in the Hughes 300C.
In May 1976, Phoenix Police Sgt. Anthony Kruczynski on patrol in the South Mountain area in the Hughes 300C.
Arizona Republic Archive
A Phoenix police Hughes 500 series picks up a Phoenix fire crew on South Mountain in April 1980.
A Phoenix police Hughes 500 series picks up a Phoenix fire crew on South Mountain in April 1980.
The Republic
Phoenix Fire demonstrates a fast rope technique from a Hughes 500 helicopter on February 27, 1981.
Phoenix Fire demonstrates a fast rope technique from a Hughes 500 helicopter on February 27, 1981.
Arizona Republic Archive
On March 11, 1991 a mountain rescue underway on Squaw Peak (later renamed Piestewa Peak) involved a Hughes 500 series helicopter.
On March 11, 1991 a mountain rescue underway on Squaw Peak (later renamed Piestewa Peak) involved a Hughes 500 series helicopter.
Arizona Republic Archive
February 28, 2000 a Phoenix police McDonnell Douglas 520N helicopter is airborne at Sky Harbor International Airport just prior to the arrival of Vice President Al Gore who had two campaign stops in the Valley .
February 28, 2000 a Phoenix police McDonnell Douglas 520N helicopter is airborne at Sky Harbor International Airport just prior to the arrival of Vice President Al Gore who had two campaign stops in the Valley .
Arizona Republic Archive
A jet passes over a Phoenix Police McDonnell Douglas MD520N during a fly-by for Opening Day ceremonies for the Mountain Pointe Pony League in March of 2002.
A jet passes over a Phoenix Police McDonnell Douglas MD520N during a fly-by for Opening Day ceremonies for the Mountain Pointe Pony League in March of 2002.
Tom Tingle/The Republic
Phoenix police helicopter observer Daniel Latham helps prepare their helicopter before taking off from Deer Valley Airport August 29, 2007
Phoenix police helicopter observer Daniel Latham helps prepare their helicopter before taking off from Deer Valley Airport August 29, 2007
Pat Shannahan/The Republic
A Phoenix Police Augusta A119 Koala carrying a Phoenix Police and Tempe Fire Department dive team hovers his helicopter just above the surface of Tempe Town Lake during a water rescue drill in September 2007.
A Phoenix Police Augusta A119 Koala carrying a Phoenix Police and Tempe Fire Department dive team hovers his helicopter just above the surface of Tempe Town Lake during a water rescue drill in September 2007.
Christine Keith/The Republic
A Phoenix Police Augusta A119 Koala carrying a Phoenix Police and Tempe Fire Department dive team hovers his helicopter just above the surface of Tempe Town Lake during a water rescue drill in September 2007. Over the last 40 years a variety of different helicopters were used including the Hughes 500, the McDowell Douglas 520 Notar (no tail rotor), then the Augusta A119 Koala seen here.
A Phoenix Police Augusta A119 Koala carrying a Phoenix Police and Tempe Fire Department dive team hovers his helicopter just above the surface of Tempe Town Lake during a water rescue drill in September 2007. Over the last 40 years a variety of different helicopters were used including the Hughes 500, the McDowell Douglas 520 Notar (no tail rotor), then the Augusta A119 Koala seen here.
Christine Keith/The Republic
A Phoenix PD Augusta A119 Koala lands where Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle was shot on 24th St. just north of Thomas Rd. in Phoenix on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The police officer later died.
A Phoenix PD Augusta A119 Koala lands where Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle was shot on 24th St. just north of Thomas Rd. in Phoenix on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The police officer later died.
David Wallace/The Republic
A Phoenix PD Augusta A119 Koala lands where Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle was shot on 24th St. just north of Thomas Rd. in Phoenix on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The police officer later died.
A Phoenix PD Augusta A119 Koala lands where Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle was shot on 24th St. just north of Thomas Rd. in Phoenix on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The police officer later died.
Pat Shannahan/The Republic
Phoenix Police Eurocopter AS350B3 flies over the north west area of Camelback Mountain, searching for missing hiker Eric Fernandes, 23, of Washington, on Monday afternoon, June 2, 2014. His body was recovered a week later.
Phoenix Police Eurocopter AS350B3 flies over the north west area of Camelback Mountain, searching for missing hiker Eric Fernandes, 23, of Washington, on Monday afternoon, June 2, 2014. His body was recovered a week later.
Charlie Leight/The Republic
Phoenix Police chief helicopter pilot Paul Apolinar, right, and tactical flight officer Geoff Ballentine move a Eurocopter AS350B3 from the hanger to the helipad at Deer Valley Airport.
Phoenix Police chief helicopter pilot Paul Apolinar, right, and tactical flight officer Geoff Ballentine move a Eurocopter AS350B3 from the hanger to the helipad at Deer Valley Airport.
Pat Shannahan/ The Republic
Phoenix Police flight instructor Michael Jordan (CQ) stands near a Phoenix Police Eurocopter AS350B3 before taking another pilot out for a check ride at Deer Valley Airport.
Phoenix Police flight instructor Michael Jordan (CQ) stands near a Phoenix Police Eurocopter AS350B3 before taking another pilot out for a check ride at Deer Valley Airport.
Pat Shannahan/ The Republic
Phoenix Police helicopter pilot John Meche takes off from Deer Valley Airport in a Eurocopter AS350B3. Recently the division underwent an audit resulting cutting the helicopter fleet from nine to six aircraft resulting in a $3.3million savings.
Phoenix Police helicopter pilot John Meche takes off from Deer Valley Airport in a Eurocopter AS350B3. Recently the division underwent an audit resulting cutting the helicopter fleet from nine to six aircraft resulting in a $3.3million savings.
Pat Shannahan Pat Shannahan/ The Republic