Minnesota’s only law enforcement agency with air support is now stronger. And lawmakers got a chance to see it for themselves on Monday, when Lieutenant Craig Benz, the State Patrol’s chief pilot, landed the new twin-engine helicopter just outside the front door of the capitol building.
Lieutenant Benz lifted off from Holman Field and was over the capitol two minutes later.
After circling the dome twice, Benz was able to make a perfect touchdown on the capitol lawn.
“A little bit of south wind coming in for us,” Benz said, peering through his Ray-Bans that were perched above his wide grin.
There was a slight level of difficulty in getting around a big red crane being used for the State Office Building renovation.
“Little bit of an obstruction with that but otherwise there were no problems,” he said.
The brand-new 24 Bell 429 chopper, one of three state patrol helicopters, has only been in the state since Friday.
Lieutenant Benz flew it up from Texas, stopping to refuel four times. Monday was the fourth time he was behind the controls.
“It’s a great aircraft,” he said, adding that the agency’s capabilities are much better with the additional hardware.
With twin engines, it increases the safety margin in case one of them fails while giving the state patrol options if one of their other two chopper are down for maintenance… something that’s typical for helicopters.
It also has a hoist on its right side, capable of lifting 600 pounds for rescue operations.