For many years the Phoenix Police Department flew MD-500N Notar helicopter. “NOTAR” refers to No Tail Rotor. Instead of a tail rotor the NOTAR used vectored exhaust gases from the jet engine to maintain stable flight. Early in my police career I had the opportunity to fly on the NOTARs often. But, I really didn’t enjoy being in them because they were small and smelled heavily of jet fuel in the cabin. I never got totally airsick but every time I flew in the NOTAR I got close to throwing up. The new Euro Copters that the Department now flies are much nicer to be a passenger in…They have a roomy airconditioned cabin.
