The kid finalists in a competition to design the RCMP’s Centennial Crest were treated to a helicopter ride Friday.
The 3 were each taken up for a 30 minute tour and could bring family and friends along for the ride provided by Phoenix Heli-Flight.
The competition was open to all youth in the region in November and the winner was announced at the Wood Buffalo RCMP’s Centennial launch in January.
In a release from the police it says this event ties in with history of the regional police aircraft.
It’s Air Services Section was established in 1937 and included both fixed wing and rotary-blade planes.
In 1976 it says the first RCMP helicopter for the province was maintained, operated and found its home in the Gregoire Park area of Fort McMurray.
This era in the province’s RCMP history consisted mainly of fixed-wing aircrafts based out of Edmonton, Calgary and Grand Prairie.
It’s versatility and ability to hover and land in remote areas made it very useful.
It’s estimated that more than half of its time was logged doing work in other areas of the province; it gave fast access to Fort Chipewyan, Janvier and other rural and/or isolated areas.
Air Services has since moved the helicopter to places with more people, but can be seen when called to assist with investigations.
Today there are over 30 aircrafts in the Air Services fleet, 10 which are helicopters.
(Picture: courtesy of RCMP 1982 DXC in the Summer )
May 27th, 2013
