Enstrom Helicopter Corp.’s newly configured 480B Guardian completed a Northwest Tour visiting 12 police and sheriff’s offices on it’s route from Menominee Michigan to Los Angeles, California. The Guardian is currently being evaluated by the Pasadena Police for patrol work.
On the Northwest flight, the 480B Guardian stopped at the Minnesota State Patrol and South Dakota State patrol, along with several Sheriff’s and Police Departments in Montana, Washington, Oregon and Northern California. There the helicopter was flown by police pilots to get a feel for the response and capability of the Guardian. The 480B Guardian showcases an ideal aerial law enforcement platform that is very dynamically stable. The 480B Guardian is outfitted with the latest in police technology including a front mounted camera, a digital video recorder/monitor system and search light.
When asked about the response from the demonstration tour, Enstrom’s Director of Marketing and Sales, Tracy Biegler said “The overwhelming response we get from police pilots is on the aircrafts exceptional performance, and handling capability along with it superior visibility. Visiting the police and sheriff departments throughout the country is the best way to publicize the fact that we have a very competitive turbine aircraft for police patrol missions.” Between the ALEA tour, the East coast tour and now the Northwest tour, Enstrom has visited over 27 police precincts and over 40 police pilots have had the opportunity to fly the Guardian.
Founded in 1959, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation manufactures a complete line of helicopters including the three-seat, piston-powered F28F and 280FX, and the turbine-powered 480B. The 480B is available as a three-place advanced trainer or as a three- to five-place VIP aircraft. For law enforcement applications, the 480B is known as the Guardian and the F28F is called the Sentinel. Enstrom can be found on the Internet at www.enstromhelicopter.com.
