- May 2, 2024
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Flagler County’s emergency helicopter is back in service with new, state-of-the-art avionics with night vision, according to a county news release.
“All of this new equipment has replaced antiquated and difficult-to-repair avionics, and has greatly reduced pilot workload in the cockpit,” Flagler County Flight Operations Chief Dana Morris said in the news release.
The FireFlight helicopter, used for emergency medical transport, firefighting and law enforcement support, was out of service for about two months for the $85,000 upgrades. It came back in service Jan. 30.
The changes include a new radar altimeter and cockpit readouts, compatible with night-vision goggles that depict low-altitude obstacles and other air traffic.
The upgrades bring the helicopter into compliance with new Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
In 2012, FireFlight dropped 55,000 gallons of water on fires, spent more than 187 hours in the air and flew 250 times, Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito said.
