WISN gets new Helicopter

[viva-vegas]

Channel 12 took delivery of a new ENG Helicopter today, getting rid of the older Robinson in favor of what sounds like a Bell (based on radio traffic).

Still working to confirm the leasing company of this unit, however if its a new bird she likely will be HD-equipped.

Craig

[LoadStar]

Seems a questionable purchase/lease/whatever. The number of news events that require ore benefit from an aerial view in this city is very, very low. I would think that a lease of all new HD control room and studio equipment would be a much wiser investment.

[viva-vegas]

They are all leased on with a set number of hour per month (~50 hours), that's why see lots of helo coverage in the beginning of the month and nothing near the end of the month.

Good summary on the business of operating news choppers here:
http://www.sfltv.com/the-news-choppers/

Craig

[WITI6fan]

Could possibly be the most recent incarnation of "SkyFOX 6" as WITI seems to have stopped using it, and since would already be in the market... It was also a Bell...

[trev57]

I guess now we're just waiting for them to move newscasts to the newsroom or the Gousha set so they can rebuild the main set for HD.