Welcome to the second issue of ASU News. In this issue you will read about the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and their 10 years of using Night Vision Goggles. Sanford Health discusses their first year of missions using NVG in South Dakota. We also discuss a new timely STC to help aid operators in aerial fire fighting at night.
ASU announced today that they received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Bell 205A-1 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new STC was completed for the San Diego Sherriff's Department. This aircraft will be used for aerial firefighting, search and rescue, airborne law enforcement and hoist equipment.
Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) announced today it plans to offer NVG firefighting training to meet the growing demands of operators around the world.
ASU announced today that it has agreed to an exclusive domestic distribution agreement with L-3 Warrior Systems, with plans to sign an expanded international agreement for aviation night vision systems that will encompass both civilian and military applications. In addition, the plans include ASU as the exclusive L-3 Warrior Systems distributor for both aviation and ground products in South America, Central America and Mexico.
On February 9th, I used a new ITT F4949 ANVIS-9 Pinnacle Goggle in our inventory to compare with the L-3 Infinity Goggles. The Moon was a Waxing Crescent, overhead with 38% illumination. The route was chosen and flown 1.5hrs. after sunset and included as many environments of high and low ambient light condition as possible and comprised flying south of the Boise Airport then into the mountains near Lucky Peak and Arrow Rock Reservoir, returning to Boise over Aldape Summit via downtown Boise.
ASU announced that they will host an afternoon mixer from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, July 21 at the convention hall, and present the night vision awards in New Orleans at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) 41st annual conference. Drinks and light appetizers will be served.
ASU announced today that they have surpassed their 100th EC135 cockpit modification. The 100th modification was completed for Metro Aviation.
"We performed our first modification on the EC 135 in 2003," said Mike Atwood founder and CEO of ASU. "It's remarkable that in such a short time we have equipped over 100 EC135 aircraft with NVG's that are servicing the medical and law enforcement industry."
ASU announced today that they have surpassed their 100th AS350 cockpit modification. The 100th modification was completed for Advanced Helicopter Services, customer the California Highway Patrol.
"AS350's can be found all over the world and are a very versatile aircraft," said Mike Atwood founder and CEO of ASU. "Numerous law enforcement and fire fighting agencies in North America operate the AS350. By modifying the aircraft for night vision capabilities, we are giving those agencies the ability to operate the aircraft at night and increasing their ability to serve and protect their communities."