Western Australia based Heliwest has been awarded a six month, $500,000 trial contract to provide the state of Queensland with its first police helicopter.
The first phase of the trial got underway at the beginning of November and runs through January. Queensland officials said the helicopter would be used for everything from vehicle pursuits to tracking graffiti offenders and would be deployed over major events including Schoolies, New Year’s Eve and Australia Day celebrations.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
PRINT
See benefits
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
MOST POPULAR
PRINT + DIGITAL
See benefits
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
DIGITAL
See benefits
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
The helicopter, a Bell 206 Long Ranger, is fitted with a Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera and a Night Sun searchlight, and comes with night vision goggles for the pilots and crew, Heliwest said. The company says the value of the overall platform is in excess of $4 million.
The aircraft will be flown by Heliwest pilots and crewed by Queensland Police. The contract calls for it to fly 20 hours a week.