In 1990, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command accepted delivery
of the first
EuroCopter
Dauphin. Today, the Aviation Command has a fleet of twelve Dauphins.
Each helicopter is equipped with twin gas turbine engines, full
Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) capability, Global Positioning System
(GPS), a state-of-the-art medical interior, F.L.I.R. (Forward Looking
Infra Red) and a NightSun searchlight.
Beginning in 1996, the Command began purchasing Dauphin Model N3's and converting our Dauphin Model N1 helicopters to N3's. This conversion process increases the capabilities of the aircraft by increasing the horsepower of each engine. In addition to the engine upgrades, the communication systems were also improved. By the end of 2002, six of the Dauphins had been upgraded to N3's.
Below you will find the aircraft specifications for the N1. Those aircraft that have undergone the upgrade will have greater performance capabilities.
MANUFACTURER: EuroCopter - Marignane, France
AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION: 85% Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, Fiberglass, Aluminum & Titanium
ASSEMBLED: American EuroCopter - Grand Prairie, Texas
COST: Approximately $6 million
TYPICAL CREW: 1 Pilot & 1 Flight Paramedic
MAXIMUM PERSONNEL: 1 Pilot & 5 Passengers
MAXIMUM PATIENTS: 2
MAXIMUM FLIGHT TIME: 3 + Hours
NORMAL FLIGHT TIME: 2 + Hours
MAXIMUM FUEL CAPACITY: 306 Gallons of Jet A
MAXIMUM AIRSPEED: 201 MPH / 175 KIAS (knots indicated air speed)
NORMAL CRUISE AIRSPEED: 161 MPH / 140 KIAS
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT: 9038 pounds
NORMAL GROSS WEIGHT: 8200 pounds
DIMENSIONS:
MAIN ROTOR SPEED: 350 RPM
TAIL ROTOR SPEED: 3,665 RPM
MAXIMUM SERVICE CEILING: 20,000 feet
RESCUE HOIST:
NIGHTSUN SEARCH LIGHT: 30 Million Candle Power
F.L.I.R. (Forward Looking Infra Red) - Sensitive to within ½ degree Celcius