News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

GPD helicopter relaunches after engine repair

Helicopter Wrap

Gainesville Police Department launched its helicopter back in the air Tuesday after a 15-month hiatus.

Helicopter N911GV underwent repairs in a factory center in Arizona after an in-flight engine failure in December 2011.

While it awaited the helicopter's repair, GPD used helicopters from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, with which it has a joint aviation unit. Officer Ben Tobias, GPD spokesman, said having the helicopter back allows the department to not have to rely on the Sheriff's Office for their aircraft.

"For us, it's a morale boost," Tobias said. "Even though it's a joint aviation unit … the different helicopters still have different agency markings on it. So to have ours back, where it says Gainesville Police Department on it, it's a great thing for the pilot out here. It's a great thing for all the GP personnel to be able to use the helicopter."

People do not need to worry about the helicopters being used as surveillance," Tobias said, because their technology cannot see farther than the human eye. They will be used only for chases and fighting crime.

Laura Foreman wrote this story online.

Missy is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.