Peoria 'cuts ribbon' on new helicopter, aviation unit

The city of Peoria is planning a ribbon-cutting event to mark the arrival and reveal of its new helicopter.

The event is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Centennial Plaza Amphitheater behind City Hall, 8401 W. Monroe St.

The event is to commemorate the debut of Peoria’s Aviation Unit and display the new Bell 505 helicopter. Council approved the purchase of the helicopter by a 4-2 vote, Dec. 12, 2023, with Councilmembers Denette Dunn and Brad Shafer dissenting.

Last year, the city received a one-time allocation of $17.6 million from the state of Arizona from which $3.3 million paid for the helicopter. It is expected to cost $1 million annually to operate the aviation unit.

Mayor Jason Beck, Police Chief Thomas Intrieri and Assistant Fire-Medical Chief Justin Gorospe will be speaking at the event.

The Aviation Unit will grow over phases and is expected to be fully deployed by October 2025. It will be available for use by surrounding West Valley cities upon request.