KABC-TV and Helinet Aviation Services Launch Southern California's First HD News Helicopter

KABC-TV and Helinet Aviation Services Launch Southern California's First HD News Helicopter

Air7HD Brings Viewers Stunning, Live Aerial High Definition Vistas From High Above the Nation's Helicopter News Capitol

LOS ANGELES, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Helinet Aviation Services, a best-in-class provider of helicopter flight services to a diversity of markets, announced today that it has launched the market's first high-def news helicopter for KABC-TV, Los Angeles. Utilizing Helinet's Cineflex HiDEF aerial camera platform, the just debuted Air7HD news helicopter ushers in a new era of high definition programming for Southern California.

Delivering images that are three times more detailed than regular broadcast quality, Air7HD brings viewers a level of detail and clarity never before possible with standard definition systems. Even for viewers without high definition television sets, Air7HD provides a clearer picture. In addition to the Cineflex HiDEF camera system, Helinet is providing KABC with a helicopter, pilot and camera operator for a complete, high-definition aerial solution.

"We are known for our breaking news and the helicopter is a critical first response to many breaking news stories. We expect it will help us do a better job of covering the news for our viewers," said Cheryl Fair, Vice President/News Director for KABC-TV. "Helinet has been a trusted partner for years and we rely on them to keep us ready to gather news 24 hours a day."

Helinet is the only ENG operator currently flying live HD news helicopters and also one of the country's largest ENG providers overall with more than 27 contracts in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C. and San Francisco. Last year, Helinet partner KUSA-TV, Denver became the first broadcaster in the nation to launch a high-def news ship.

"Whether for news gathering, sports or motion picture and television production, aerial HD is fast becoming the standard that consumers expect," said Alan Purwin, CEO of Helinet Aviation Services. "We are extremely pleased to be able to help KABC-TV launch Air7HD and think the Southern California audience is going to love this great new service."

Helinet specializes in developing customized aerial systems for each of its clients and provides the most comprehensive 24/7 service in the industry. Its Cineflex HiDEF is the first system in the U.S. to capture and transmit aerial high definition images for live broadcast.

About KABC-TV

ABC7 in Los Angeles is the #1 station in Los Angeles and southern California's news leader. ABC7 Eyewitness News provides over forty hours a week of local news. ABC7 is an ABC owned television station.

About Helinet Aviation Services

Helinet Aviation Services is an international provider of aviation services to a diversity of markets. The company is recognized as one of the nation's top electronic news gathering (ENG) aerial solutions providers. In addition, Helinet regularly flies heads of state, celebrities and Fortune 500 executives, and transports patients in need of specialized care and life-saving organs to hospitals. Another facet of Helinet's business model is its entertainment division, Helinet Cinema Solutions, a turnkey provider for the most challenging aerial shots and stunts for Hollywood's top films and commercials.

Source: Helinet Aviation Services

CONTACT: Peter Epstein, pepstein@spellcom.com or Dan Spelling, both of
Spelling Communications, +1-310-477-9500, for Helinet Aviation Services

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