HFD modernizes air fleet with $10.6M twin-engine helicopter

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Honolulu Fire Department has a new $10.6 million tool for its firefighting and search and rescue operations.
The City unveiled its new modern twin-engine Bell 429 helicopter at a press conference on Thursday.
“It’s a significant upgrade to our current fleet. And this is the future of our department,” said HFD Chief Sheldon Hao.
HFD’s new twin-engine helicopter can fly farther, longer and smarter than its three, older single-engine MD 520 Notar models.
Billed a game changer — the aircraft has a larger cabin, more fuel, advanced avionics, and double the horsepower to help pilots better navigate rugged terrain and handle stronger winds.
“We can reach anywhere in the state quickly. So if there’s a large scale disaster, we would be able to respond anywhere to do evacuations, supply drops, or whatever might be needed,” said HFD senior pilot Dustin Harris.
The helicopter can lift 260 gallons of water and make multiple drops with one bucket — versus one drop of 96 gallons.
“If you put three times the amount of water on a fire in the same span of time that’s going to greatly impact our ability to quickly control and manage wildfires,”
For search and rescue missions, a hoist will take care of the heavy lifting.
Currently, rescuers have to use a rope to get to patients who are then attached and suspended from the chopper.
The new hoist can lift 600 pounds, so rescuers can be dropped down to where the person is in distress and can bring up patients into the large cabin, where emergency treatment can be provided.
A camera connected to the cockpit helps the pilot see what’s happening below.
It’s part of an advanced panel of electronics to keep pilots and their passengers safe.
“If the weather deteriorates to where we can’t see outside. This helicopter is equipped for IFR flight with a single pilot, which means we can safely navigate with just one pilot, even when we can’t see,” Harris said.
To accommodate the $10.6 million chopper, HFD’s air program has nine pilots and is hiring relief pilots and hoist operators.
The City also expects to reduce its $2 million in maintenance costs in the long term.
“This investment in cutting edge equipment ensures that our emergency response teams have the best resources available to them to serve our community effectively,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
HFD hopes to start using the aircraft by June, but expect to see it in the skies now as it does training and practice missions.
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