Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird? It’s a plane? No, it’s …. the new, blue Chopper 2.
WESH has a new eye in the sky, debuting its improved Chopper 2. Piloted by veteran helicopter reporter “Chopper Dan” McCarthy, the new Chopper 2 is quipped with four cameras and an automatic pilot feature. But perhaps the most important part of this model, known as the “Long Ranger,” is its larger fuel tank. That will allow the chopper to stay in air for longer periods of time.
“We are committed to covering big news stories in a big way. This new helicopter allows us to stay above the scene longer,” WESH News Director Barbara Maushard said. “This gives WESH 2 News a huge advantage when covering brush fires and other big news events that are best covered from the air.”
Added McCarthy: “I’m thrilled to be piloting one of the best news helicopters in the country. The new Chopper 2 is the envy of everyone I’ve talked to!”
When not covering breaking news, the new helicopter will be scanning the sky every morning during WESH 2 News Sunrise and WESH 2 News on CW 18.
WESH was the first station in the Orlando-Daytona Beach market to bring viewers news from the air. The first Chopper 2 debuted in 1979.