Houston, TX, February 24, 2008  –  MD Helicopters, Inc. today announced that Free Wire Strike Protection Systems (WSPS) will be offered on all new MD Helicopters.

“MD Helicopters, Inc. has decided to invest in the safety of its operators by offering, free of charge, Wire Strike Protection Systems to all purchasers of new MD aircraft, ” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer, MD Helicopters, Inc. “We place great import on the safety and protection of our operators and we will not let the price of WSPS be a deterrent to the delivery of safety to our operators.”

MD aircraft are used in many flight regimes -- Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, Utility, Electronic News Gathering, where wires are present and potentially dangerous. Wire Strike Protection Systems provide a much greater chance of survival in the event of a wire strike.

“Once again, MD Helicopters, Inc. is taking a stance and setting a precedent in the industry, said Tilton. “No other OEM offers WSPS free of charge.”

For more information about the Wire Strike Protection Systems come to the MD Helicopters, Inc booth number 143 each day of Heli-Expo taking place in Houston, Texas today, February 24 through Tuesday, February 26, 2008. Interested customers can also contact their nearest MD Helicopters, Inc sales representative. Go to http://www.mdhelicopters.com to find the MD Helicopters sales representative closest to you.

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About MD Helicopters, Inc.
MD Helicopters, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters. The MD Helicopters family of rotorcraft is world renowned for its value, versatility and performance. The MD Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer®, and single engine versions of the MD 600N®, MD 520N®, MD 500E® and MD 530F®. The NOTAR® system for anti-torque control is used exclusively by MD Helicopters. The company is based in Mesa, Arizona. For more information about MD Helicopters, Inc. visit http://www.mdhelicopters.com.

About Patriarch Partners, LLC
About Patriarch Partners Patriarch Partners, LLC is a private equity and investment firm in New York, North Carolina and Texas. Patriarch provides innovative financial solutions, strategic direction and operational expertise to companies undergoing periods of pervasive change. Funds affiliated with Patriarch manage assets in excess of $6 billion and include majority and minority ownership positions in more than 67 companies.

Contact: Debbie Jones
(480) 346-6474
debbie@mdhelicopters.com