Features
Huntington Beach Police takes delivery of first MD 530F helicopter

The Huntington Beach Police Department took delivery of its first of three MD 530F helicopters during a ceremony at the MD Helicopters factory before the aircraft was flown to its new home in Huntington Beach, California.

The Huntington Beach Police Department’s (HBPD) next two MD 530F aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in March and April of this year.

“The Huntington Beach Police Department is excited to continue with the ongoing operation of MD Helicopters in our Air Support Unit,” said Eric Parra, Chief of Police for Huntington Beach. “These new helicopters will continue to ensure the finest service for police officers and citizens in the cities of Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.”

HBPD ordered three MD 530F helicopters to replace its aging fleet of MD 520Ns. The purchase agreement included a full fleet replacement package, which involves MD Helicopters facilitating the sale of the department’s current aircraft, offloading NOTAR specific spares, and providing a comprehensive training program specifically tailored to the department’s pilots and technicians.

Each HBPD MD 530F helicopter is custom configured with a full law enforcement package, crash resistant fuel tanks, and an advanced NVIS interior designed to enhance safety during nighttime patrol, surveillance, and tactical operations. Their upgraded glass cockpit avionics feature the Garmin G500TXi Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert Systems (EICAS), and Garmin GTN 750 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS.