Patrol by propeller

Eurocopter company materials

The Eurocopter mechanical design outline shows the EC120B’s dimensions of the helicopter landing skids at 6.79 feet across, nose to rotor length at 31.51 feet and top of fin to landing skid height...

The Eurocopter mechanical design outline shows the EC120B’s dimensions of the helicopter landing skids at 6.79 feet across, nose to rotor length at 31.51 feet and top of fin to landing skid height at 11.15 feet.

Eurocopter company materials

The Eurocopter mechanical design outline shows the EC120B's dimensions of the helicopter landing skids at 6.79 feet across, nose to rotor length at 31.51 feet and top of fin to landing skid height...

The Eurocopter mechanical design outline shows the EC120B's dimensions of the helicopter landing skids at 6.79 feet across, nose to rotor length at 31.51 feet and top of fin to landing skid height at 11.15 feet.

Photo by Tabatha Wethal

A look inside the Lake County Sheriff's Department of Indiana's EC120 patrol chopper cockpit.

A look inside the Lake County Sheriff's Department of Indiana's EC120 patrol chopper cockpit.

Photo by Tabatha Wethal

Sgt. Randy Phillips of the Lake County Sheriff's Department, outfitted in his flight suit, sits in the pilot's chair of the agency's Eurocopter EC120. Philllips has been a tactical flight pilot for 12...

Sgt. Randy Phillips of the Lake County Sheriff's Department, outfitted in his flight suit, sits in the pilot's chair of the agency's Eurocopter EC120. Philllips has been a tactical flight pilot for 12 years and with LCSD for a total of 24 years serving in various assignments including SWAT, motorcycle and traffic patrol.

Photo by Tabatha Wethal

The nose of the helicopter's canopy features the Lake County Sheriff's agency logo.

The nose of the helicopter's canopy features the Lake County Sheriff's agency logo.

Photo by Tabatha Wethal

The Lake County Sheriff's Department (Ind.) helicopter, an EC120 model from Eurocopter, had approximately 700 flight hours on its record when it made the trip to Chicago IACP conference in October...

The Lake County Sheriff's Department (Ind.) helicopter, an EC120 model from Eurocopter, had approximately 700 flight hours on its record when it made the trip to Chicago IACP conference in October 2011 for display.

Photo by Tabatha Wethal

Though the EC120's shiny nose is reflecting the scene around it on display at the 2011 IACP conference in Chicago, some equipment mounted in the front cockpit is visible.

Though the EC120's shiny nose is reflecting the scene around it on display at the 2011 IACP conference in Chicago, some equipment mounted in the front cockpit is visible.

Photo by Tabatha Wethal

One factor that contributes to the EC120 being the quietest helicopter in its weight class is Eurocopter's special tail rotor design, which features more blades than a typical rotor and an altered...

One factor that contributes to the EC120 being the quietest helicopter in its weight class is Eurocopter's special tail rotor design, which features more blades than a typical rotor and an altered spacing pattern.