The Washington PostJuly 29, 1991, Monday,
Final Edition
Fairfax Helicopters Cost $ 4,000 a Day;County's 4 Choppers
Require 17 Employees
BYLINE: Thomas Heath,
Washington Post Staff Writer
Fairfax County
taxpayers are spending more than $ 4,000 a day to operate a county air force of
four helicopters that average one ambulance run a day and help with a few
arrests each month. The aircraft, flown and maintained by 17 full-time county
employees, also make other flights, according to the unit's records. Lately,
the trips have included a ride for a retired police officer, hauling police
officials to a West Virginia training site, taking photos of the new Fairfax Government
Center and giving demonstrations for schoolchildren. No other local government in the area
operates its own helicopters, except the District, which uses them only for
police work. Fairfax, which also provides some service in neighboring counties,
has one fewer helicopter than the entire Virginia State Police.