CAMILLUS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — County Executive Ryan McMahon's new budget includes six-million dollars for the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office to replace their 26-year-old Air One helicopter.
McMahon called the current helicopter "outdated," and pilot Michael Bradley agreed.
"It'd be like getting into your grandmother's Camry," Bradley said. "Does it still function? It does. But do you have all those things in modern cars today that increase that safety margin? No, you don't."
The helicopter helps police track down speeding vehicles and navigate dangerous search and rescue situations. Though Bradley said the 26-year-old technology creates some challenges, especially in rural areas.
"We rely on our cell phones for navigation," Bradley said.
He says most of the changes would be to the dash