Volusia County will utilize new helicopter with NOTAR® technology to expand survey areas and deliver more effective, more efficient mosquito control
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announced today the delivery of a new MD 520N single-engine helicopter to Volusia County Mosquito Control, Volusia County, Florida. The decision to acquire the new MD 520N to the Volusia County fleet was announced in March 2015 as an expansion of the department’s ability to inspect and treat the region’s wet and drylands not easily serviceable by trucks or other ground methods. With the addition of the MD 520N, the Volusia County Mosquito Control Unit now operates three (3) MD helicopters including two (2) MD 500E models.
“After more than 20 years as part of the MD Helicopters family we are excited Volusia County decided to expand their MD fleet with this incredible aircraft,” said Craig Kitchen, Chief Commercial Officer for MD Helicopters. “The 520N features our exclusive NOTAR® system; a no tail-rotor technology that delivers a best-in-class blend of safer performance in swampy, overgrown areas, and a lower noise profile for quieter operation in highly populated areas. We are confident this beautiful new aircraft will exceed all performance expectations.”
The dynamic yellow paint scheme of Volusia County’s MD 520N combined with high-contrast main rotor blades delivers increased visibility when flying through areas of dense brush or in low-light scenarios.
Featuring a 450-shp Rolls-Royce 250-C20R/2 turbine engine, a Garmin G500H EFIS all-glass avionics flight display, Garmin GTN 650H GPS, NVG compatible interior lighting, Super Nightscanner® Retractable Searchlight, a 2,000 lb. cargo hook, auxiliary fuel tank and wire strike protection system among other standard and custom features, this aircraft will be a reliable, powerful performer for the Mosquito Control Unit.
“We use helicopters to survey mosquito larval production on the salt marsh and other areas,” said Jim McNelly, director of the county’s Mosquito Control Division. “If larvae are found, the helicopter makes an insecticide application to about one hundred acres at a time. The helicopters also are used to control adult mosquito populations where there is a particular annoyance or disease concern and where truck operations are insufficient to cover the area.”
The MD 520N is one of just three helicopters – all manufactured by MD Helicopters, Inc. – to feature the exclusive NOTAR® system for anti-torque and directional control. By replacing conventional tail rotors with the NOTAR system, the margin of safety immediately increases for crew and aircraft, and the noise decreases; making it an exceptional choice for operation in confined and densely populated areas.
PHOTOS: To access and download images of Volusia County Mosquito Control’s new MD 520N taken at MDHI headquarters in Mesa, please click here.
PHOTO & INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: For those local to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, photo and interview opportunities will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Volusia County Mosquito Control, 801 South St., New Smyrna Beach.
