One of two Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department Bell 407s modified by Paradigm Aerospace is on display at the L-3 Communications booth (No. 2847). Chief pilot Paul Schaaf and pilot Mike Mountjoy flew the 407 from Fairfax to Heli-Expo on Saturday, which gave them an opportunity to test all the equipment installed by Paradigm.
The Fairfax Police’s Helicopter Division operates two 407s–a 1996 and a 2000 model–and has used helicopters since 1983. The helicopters fly with one pilot and two crewmembers who are paramedic-trained police officers.
The 1996 model on display here has more than 7,000 hours total time and still looks new with two-year-old paint (by Paradigm) and fresh leather and plastic interior, along with a major upgrade to the instrument panel as well as external modifications. The department upgraded its existing helicopters, Schaaf said, because it plans to buy new ones, possibly Bell 429s, in the next few years and “we wanted to inject some new life into ours while we’re waiting.” Some of the equipment in the 407s will also be transferred to the new helicopters.
