Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) announced in conjunction with Eurocopter Southern Africa Ltd., (ESAL) that they have completed three AS350 B3s for the Botswana Police Service, in Johannesburg South Africa. In addition to the installation, ASU also provided ESAL technicians training for support of the installation.
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of nearly four million people. It is one of the 50 largest cities in the world. The region surrounding Johannesburg has approximately 10 million people.
“ASU is committed to helping operators around the world complete their missions successfully with the use of Night Vision Systems,” said Quality Assurance Manager Kip McDermott. “We not only focus our efforts on helping operators launch Night Vision programs, but train their staff on support to keep their equipment and aircraft operating at peak efficiency after we complete the initial installation. For years companies around the world have relied on ASU to provide equipment, training and modification of aircraft. The new AS350 B3s will greatly aid the Botswana Police Department and their abilities to protect and serve the citizens of Johannesburg.”
The AS350 B3e is designed to carry out the most demanding missions in the most extreme weather and geographical conditions. The popularity of Eurocopter’s AS350 in a law enforcement role can be attributed to its ability to meet all of a police flying unit forces’ main requirements. The AS350 B3e is a member of Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family. Some 5,000 Ecureuil have been delivered in 98 countries for some 1,600 operators. These aircraft have cumulated more than 21 million hours.
About Eurocopter Southern Africa
Established in 1994, the 100 percent owned subsidiary employs 80 people to generate an annual turnover of more than 300 mZAR through the sale of the complete range of Eurocopter products and services in Southern Africa. The continuous endeavor to better service its customers, led Eurocopter Southern Africa to move in 2011 to bigger and better premises in Grand Central Airport, ideally positioned midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria in the heart of the economical capital of South Africa.
Eurocopter Southern Africa supports key regional customers such as the South African Air Force, the South African Police Services and of course the Kenyan Police but also a large amount of smaller customers spread in more than 20 countries in Africa and Indian Ocean. The motto “we support you where you operate” fully applies to the subsidiary who organizes approximately 100 technical support missions per year in the most remote places to maintain and support a total fleet of approximately 250 helicopters. Able to provide technical as well as pilot training, Eurocopter Southern Africa is currently deploying a full flight Super Puma simulator in Johannesburg to offer basic and advanced simulator training to its African customer’s base.
