MESA, AZ, DECEMBER 31, 2007   -  MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) today announced the delivery of a new MD Explorer to the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) just days before Christmas. The delivery marks a return to grace for MD Helicopters in the eyes of the police force and the first new delivery to law enforcement in Europe since ownership by investment funds managed by Patriarch Partners, LLC (Patriarch) in July, 2005.

GMP purchased its first MD aircraft in June, 2001. The Greater Manchester Police christened their first MD902 Explorer, call sign 'India 99'. Since its delivery, the aircraft has flown over 7000 hours in continuous service. The combination of flexibility, reliability and easy maintenance made the MD Explorer the first choice for a new aircraft by the UK police. Watching over Greater Manchester and supporting officers on the ground, India 99 has used high- tech equipment including TV and thermal image cameras, a microwave downlink that can broadcast live pictures to ground patrols, a high powered searchlight and loud speaker system and a tracking facility for locating stolen vehicles. The aircraft's interior is mission flexible and accommodates up to eight persons or can be reconfigured to carry stretchers for ambulance work.

Phil Rainford, Chief Pilot of GMP and Chair Spokesperson of the European MD Users Groups said, "We are very happy with the product and quite confident in MD support. We are now quite positive about the future of the company and look forward to the delivery of the new aircraft which will include the latest technology available for the police mission. This will provide enhanced capability to the Greater Manchester Police."

"We are grateful that we have returned to a place of grace in the eyes of GMP." The return of European law enforcement to MD Helicopters is an important milestone for our company and a vote of confidence that we expect to resonate throughout Europe. We will follow this landmark delivery with many more MD 902 deliveries to European law enforcement and EMS providers already during 2008, stated Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer of MDHI.

The MD Explorer is renowned for its spacious cabin and smooth, quiet operation. It also is the world's only twin-engine helicopter with single-pilot instrument flight rule (IFR) and Category A certification from both the Federal Aviation Administration or the Joint Aviation Authorities.

MD Helicopters Distributor in the United Kingdom, Police Aviation Services provides personnel and maintenance for 18 MD Explorers throughout the UK and will support the new GMP aircraft. It is nice to see that the improvements have been acknowledged," she said. "The survey results reflect our truth."

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

About Patriarch Partners, LLC
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 managed by Patriarch have in excess of $5 billion and include majority and minority ownership positions in more than 67 companies.

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