FORT WORTH, TX On December 7, 2001 The New York State Police successfully conducted the first flight of a UH-1 modified with a Bell Helicopter Textron Huey II Upgrade package.
The modification upgrade installation was performed by Helipro - East Coast Division facility located in Wappingers Falls, New York.
This is the first of three planned Huey II upgrades for the New York State Police.
According to the New York State Police, these aircraft will conduct fire fighting, fish stocking, search and rescue, as well as general law enforcement operations.
Jeff Pino, Senior Vice President for Bell Helicopter said today, "This first flight is important because it launches the first public use Huey II in the United States. This provides continuing evidence of the on going success of this very important program for both Bell Helicopter and the New York State Police."
Bell Helicopter Textron has sold 75 Huey II modification upgrade kits to date to customers in the United States to include the United States State Department, South America and the Pacific Rim.
The Huey II is playing a critical role in the on going US sponsored counter drug programs in Colombia and surrounding countries.
The Huey II upgrade incorporates commercial improvements developed during the last 20+ years from experience gained in the commercial 205/212/412 fleet. The Huey II upgrade eliminates the current onerous airworthiness problems manifest in the current UH-1H.
This is accomplished by extensive replacement of drive train and airframe items with new components as well as major structural upgrades.
The modified Huey II is then able to be fully supported by Bell Helicopter Textron with product support, logistics, and spares.
In addition the Huey II benefits with performance enhancements which allow increased gross weights of 10,500 internal/11,200 external.
Any pilots here flown a Huey?
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