Watch Video: http://www.wbaltv.com
Video Transcript: THE I-TEAM
HAS LEARNED THAT THE SLOW TRANSITION OF THE MEDEVACS INTO THE POLICE
FLEET HAS PROMPTED A BUYBACK. DAVID COLLINS HAS MORE.
THE AVIATION INDUSTRY IS A TIGHT-KNIT GROUP.
A COMPANY HEARD HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE TRANSITION AND DECIDED TO GAUGE INTEREST IN A SALE.
THE TRANSITION OF THE
CUSTOM BUILD MEDEVACS INTO THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE AGING FLEET IS SO
SLOW, IT INSPIRED A BID FROM A COMPETITOR IN LOUISIANA.
A CONTRACTOR REACHED OUT
TO ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY SENATOR TO BROKER THE OFFER TO "ACTUALLY
PURCHASING THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE STATE AND LEASING THOSE AIRCRAFT BACK
FOR OPERATIONS BY OR FOR THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE."
REACHED BY PHONE,
THE CONTRACTOR SAYS THAT THE OFFER STANDS, BUT HE HAS NOT HEARD BACK
FROM ANY STATE OFFICIAL. THE HELICOPTERS ARE FLYING OUT OF FREDERICK
MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, THE EASTON AIRPORT, ST. MARY'S COUNTY AIRPORT, AND
THE SOLACE BURY AIRPORT. -- SOLACE BURY AIRPORT.
THE TRANSITION IS
EXPECTED TO TAKE TWO YEARS AND THEY ARE STILL ON SCHEDULE TO COMPLETE IT
WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME. THE RETIREMENT DATE FOR THE FLEET IS THIS YEAR.
TRAINING HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR PILOTS. SOME HAVE HAD TO REPEAT
TESTING. THE NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGINS NEXT MONTH AND THE BUDGET AUTHORIZES
10 ADDITIONAL PILOT IS EDITIONS. THE NEW HELICOPTERS AFTER UNDERGO MORE
INSPECTIONS THAN EXPECTED.
THIS AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVE, FOR EXAMPLE, HIGHLIGHTS THE PRESENCE OF CRACKS, WHICH COULD
LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. MEANWHILE, THE CURRENT AGING
FLEET MUST BE MAINTAINED UNTIL THE TRANSITION IS COMPLETE AND THE COST
OF MAINTAINING A DUAL FLEET IS GROWING. SINCE DECEMBER 2012, THE STATE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS HAS AUTHORIZED $2.3 MILLION IN REPAIRS TO THE
FLEET. THOSE REPAIRS INCLUDE ENGINE AND GEARBOX OVERALLS. MARYLAND STATE
POLICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NEW MEDEVAC WILL BE PUT INTO SERVICE
TOMORROW.
Watch Video: http://www.wbaltv.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment