Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Bell Delivers First of Two Copters To Va. Agency

Bell Helicopter has delivered the first of two Bell 429 helicopters to the Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department.

December 15, 2011
Bell Delivers First of Two Copters To Va. Agency

Photo: Bell Helicopter

2 min to read


Bell Helicopter has delivered the first of two Bell 429 helicopters to the Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department.

This is the first of two Bell 429s being delivered to Fairfax County. Their second Bell 429 is expected to deliver in the second quarter of 2012.

Ad Loading...

This multi-role Bell 429 is capable of completing missions for airborne law enforcement, helicopter emergency medical services and search and rescue. This configuration was completed at Paradigm Aerospace Corporation, a Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facility in Mount Pleasant, Penn.

"The Bell 429 has exactly what we were looking for when we searched the market for a true multi-mission helicopter. Its spacious cabin allowed us to be creative in our design," said Paul Schaaf, chief pilot for the Fairfax County PD.

"We are very pleased with our new Bell 429 and know it will serve us well in the coming years," Schaaf said in a statement.

"The Bell 429 was designed for this type of multi-role capability," said Larry Roberts, senior vice president for Bell's commercial business. "Our customers like the speed, power and the advanced flight deck technology found in the Bell 429. Along with the largest cabin in its class, it offers a smooth, comfortable ride."

The Bell 429 is the world's newest and most advanced light twin-engine helicopter. It has conducted extensive flight demonstrations in every continent, except Antarctica, and has been certified in more than 40 countries.

More Vehicle Ops

Police Jeep with light activated inside a garage with other vehicles being worked on in the background.
Vehicle OpsFebruary 4, 2026

Emergency Vehicle Upfitter LEHR Opens New Facility in New Jersey

LEHR’s new centralized upfitting facility in New Jersey consolidates operations to deliver faster turnaround times and enhanced fleet capacity for law enforcement agencies across the Northeast.

Read More →
Background image of fuel pumps with inset logo for RoadFlex and a fuel card.
Vehicle OpsJanuary 28, 2026

North Carolina Sheriff’s Office Improves Fueling Reliability & Operational Control

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office overcame fuel management and accounting challenges by turning to RoadFlex to improve fueling reliability, visibility, and administrative control.

Read More →
Three mean cut a ribbon.
Vehicle OpsOctober 17, 2025

Emergency Vehicle Upfitter LEHR Expands National Footprint with New 40,000-Square-Foot Facility in Houston

LEHR has opened a 40,000-square-foot Defender Supply upfitting facility in Houston, Texas. It is expected to upfit thousands of public safety vehicles each year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Coffee Break With Police Experts thumnail for topic of Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 3, 2025

Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover

In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.

Read More →
Vintage 1950s Ford police sedan with 17 PCT markings, black and white
Patrolby David GriffithSeptember 28, 2025

Ford Celebrates 75 Years of Making Patrol Vehicles

From 1950 to 2025, Ford has produced many of America’s most iconic law enforcement cars, SUVs, and trucks. POLICE Magazine takes you through the history of Ford’s police vehicles.

Read More →
Police officer crouching behind vehicle, holding rifle in tactical stance
Vehicle Opsby Wayne ParhamAugust 29, 2025

Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover

While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Truck bed storage system with open compartments and diamond plate panels
SponsoredJuly 18, 2025

3 Reasons Law Enforcement Fleets Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Skimp on Slide Outs

When officers can’t access their gear quickly, lives are on the line. That’s why slide outs aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential. From maximizing space to reducing response times and preventing injuries, here are three reasons law enforcement fleets shouldn’t skimp on this critical upgrade.

Read More →
Vehicle OpsJune 5, 2025

POLICE and Geotab Offer Free On-Demand Webinar on Data-Driven Fleet Maintenance

The webinar is presented by Robert Martinez, former deputy commissioner of the NYPD/RSM Fleet Consulting LLC; Nathalie (Nat) Crewes, business segment manager for Geotab; and Alanna Bindi, fleet manager for the City of Stockton.

Read More →
Vehicle Opsby Wayne ParhamMarch 17, 2025

Reaching the Call Safely

How can officers stay safer behind the wheel when responding to calls? Driving instructors from the Michigan State Police and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center share their tips.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vehicle OpsJanuary 14, 2025

Michigan State Police Testing Ford’s EV Mustang with Security Unit

“Adding this battery electric vehicle to our patrol fleet will allow us to study the vehicle’s performance long-term to determine if there is a potential for cost savings and broader applicability within our fleet,” said said Lt. Nicholas Darlington.

Read More →