Lee County Mosquito Control District
in Florida is operating six new Airbus H125 helicopters as part of a major
upgrade of its aircraft fleet.
The new aircraft are being used to
support aerial spraying to control the mosquito population in the roughly 1,000
square-mile district in southwest Florida, which includes the city of Fort
Myers.
Lee County officials selected the
H125 because of its superior performance and ability to carry a heavier load.
Each H125 is capable of hauling about 1,000 pounds more equipment and mosquito
abatement product than the previous aircraft in specific configurations,
allowing the district to cut the number of helicopters it operates from 10 to
six.
“The bottom line is the
H125 will improve our fuel efficiency and cut down on maintenance,” said
Rick O’Neal
of the Lee County Mosquito Control District.”
“Six aircraft will now do the work that 10 used to do.”
Airbus Helicopters Inc. received
a supplemental type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration to
allow the Lee County aircraft to operate at the higher weight necessary to meet
the mission requirements.
“We take great pride in
helping our customers achieve their missions,” said
Chris Emerson,
president of Airbus Helicopters Inc. “The H125 is the leading high-performance
single-engine helicopter available, and we are pleased that the Lee County
Mosquito Control District selected it to conduct their missions of protecting
citizens by fighting disease-carrying mosquitoes.”
Created in 1958, the Lee County
Mosquito Control District is committed to improving the quality of life,
facilitating outdoor activities and protecting public health by implementing
environmentally sound practices that control mosquito populations throughout the
Gulf Coast county. The district operates both fixed-wing aircraft and
helicopters.
The district expects to operate
each of the H125s 200 to 250 hours a year, O’Neal said. The peak
mosquito-fighting season is May through September.
Airbus Helicopters Inc. produces
the H125 at its final assembly plant in Columbus, Miss., by a workforce that
includes about 40 percent U.S. military veterans. The H125 is known for its high
performance, payload, reliability, and multi-mission flexibility. |