1.2 million dollar airbus helicopter used by Lauren Sanchez in Black Op Aviation

The multipurpose, single-engine AS350 B2, powered by a 732 shp (546 kW) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine, has an outstanding proven track record. Its flexibility and low acquisition cost have made it a very sought-after helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions, including passenger transportation, aerial work, training, observation, fire fighting, and law enforcement, among others.

With its spacious and comfortable cabin accommodating one pilot plus up to 6 passengers, the AS350 B2 is especially appreciated for its passenger transportation capabilities for VIP missions, tourist flights, and public service tasks. Furthermore, its wide cabin and panoramic view ensures optimum visibility for both passengers and crew.

The AS350 B2 is an excellent utility helicopter able to carry external load of more than 1 ton (2,200 lbs). Thanks to its high useful load, it is well suited for all missions requiring various types of equipment, especially for police, news gathering, medical transportation and utility operations. And with a very short reconfiguration time (less than one hour), this single-engine aircraft is able to complete various missions quickly and efficiently.

Technology

The AS350 B2 is equipped with an innovative, advanced, corrosion-free Starflex rotor and main and tail rotor blades which are made entirely of composite materials. In addition, these composite components are very reliable: The main rotor blades, for example, have a service life of up to 20,000 hours. The cabin is made of thermoplastic double fuselage and an extremely resistant light alloy frame. The Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turbine combines high performance, low fuel consumption and very easy maintenance. The use of modular elements makes it possible to replace mechanical sub-units directly in the field.

The AS350 B2 shares common cockpit features with other members of the Ecureuil family: It has, for
example, a new control panel console technology also used by the EC130 B4, with new circuit breakers replacing former fuses, as well as a new instrument panel identical to that of the AS350 B3, including a Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) and integrated instrumentation, which enables pilots to see at a glance the main vehicle and engine parameters on a dual LCD screen.

Specifications

Capacity

Passenger transportation1 pilot + 5 passengers (standard version)
1 pilot + 4 or 5 passengers (comfort version)
1 pilot + 6 passengers (high density version)
Casualty evacuation1 pilot + 2 doctors + 1 stretcher
Cargo1 pilot + 3 m3 (105.9 ft3) in the cabin

Weights

Maximum takeoff weight2,250 kg4,960 lbs
Maximum takeoff weight with external load2,500 kg5,512 lbs
Empty weight (standard configuration)1,220 kg2,690 lbs
Useful load (standard configuration)1,030 kg2,270 lbs
Maximum cargo swing load1,160 kg2,557 lbs
Standard fuel capacity426 kg939 lbs

Power Plant

1 Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turbine engine
Takeoff power546 kW732 shp

Performance

at Maximum Gross Weight at sea level, ISA and zero wind condition

Maximum speed (Vne)287 km/hr155 kts
Fast cruise speed (at MCP)246 km/hr133 kts
Recommended cruise speed226 km/hr122 kts
Rate of climb at SL8.5 m/sec1,675 ft/min
Service ceiling4,600 m15,100 ft
Hover ceiling at takeoff power ISA-IGE3,000 m9,850 ft
Maximum range without reserve at recommended cruise speed (RCS)666 km360 NM
Endurance without reserve at 100 km/hr – 54 kts4 hrs, 24 min

Operational Limitations

Maximum altitude (PA)6,100 m20,000 ft
Minimum temperature– 40° C– 40° F
Maximum temperatureISA + 35° C, limited to + 50° C / ISA + 95° F, limited to + 122° F

Black Ops Aviation- Jeff Bezos of Amazon wife’s business– She can fly this 1.2million dollar helicopter.

Lauren Wendy Sánchez (born December 19, 1969) is an American media personality who gained fame as an entertainment reporter and news anchor. She has been a guest host on The View, co-host on KTTV Fox 11’s Good Day LA and anchor on the Fox 11 News at Ten, and anchor and special correspondent on Extra. Sánchez has also been a regular contributor on shows including Larry King LiveThe Joy Behar Show and Showbiz Tonight.[1]

Career[edit]

Sánchez began her career as a desk assistant at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles. She also held positions as an anchor and reporter at KTVK-TV in Phoenix before joining the syndicated entertainment show Extra as a reporter. From there, Sánchez moved to Fox Sports Net, where she earned an Emmy nomination as anchor and correspondent for the sports magazine Going Deep, served as an anchor for Fox Sports News Primetime and later as entertainment reporter for FSN‘s Best Damn Sports Show Period.

In 1999, Sánchez returned to KCOP-TV to anchor UPN News 13,[2] where she won an Emmy Award.[3] Sánchez also landed the entertainment reporting gig for KTTV’s 10pm news. She was the runner-up in the nationwide hosting competition during season 2 of The View in February 2000. The position was ultimately given to Lisa Ling. In 2005, Sánchez became the original host of FOX’s popular dancing competition So You Think You Can Dance. Sánchez left the show after one season to have her second child. In 2009, Sánchez returned to Extra as weekend anchor and special correspondent. Sánchez continues to occasionally work on Good Day LAExtra and other TV shows.

Sánchez was featured in People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful” issue in 2010 and Us Weeklys “Hot Bodies” issue.[4][failed verification]

In 2016, she founded Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned aerial film and production company. Sánchez now focuses on film and television projects which allow her to use her skills as a licensed pilot of airplanes and helicopters.[5]

She foresees flying to space early in 2024 with an all-female crew on board a New Shepard.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Lauren Wendy Sánchez was born to a second-generation Mexican-American family in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[7] Sánchez has a son, Nikko, born in 2001, from her relationship with former NFL tight end Tony Gonzalez.[7] In August 2005, she married Patrick Whitesell, a Hollywood agent and founding partner of Endeavor talent agency.[8] Sánchez has a son and daughter with Whitesell: Evan, born 2006, and Ella, born in 2008.[9][10]

As early as 2018, Sánchez had an extramarital affair with businessman & Amazon founder Jeff Bezos while they were both married, leading to his divorce from his wife MacKenzie to whom he’d been married for 25 years, before they founded Amazon. This eventually led to her divorce from Whitesell.[11]

In February 2019, Bezos published a blog post alleging that National Enquirer publisher American Media, Inc. had attempted blackmail and extortion in connection with Bezos’ alleged affair with Sánchez.[12] In April 2019, Sánchez and Whitesell filed for divorce,[13] which was finalized in October of that year.[14] In 2020, Sánchez was commonly described as Bezos’ girlfriend.[15][16][17] On May 22, 2023, Sánchez and Bezos became engaged.[18]

Filmography[edit]

Sánchez has also made cameo appearances in films and television series, including in the following:

Film[edit]

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Fight ClubChannel 4 ReporterCredited as W. Lauren Sanchez
2003Hollywood HomicideChopper Newscaster
2004The Day After TomorrowInternational Newscaster
CellularNews Anchor No. 2
2005Fantastic FourKCOP / KTTV reporter
The Longest YardHerself
2006Akeelah and the BeeReporter
ZoomReporter
2007Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver SurferFox News reporter
2008College Road TripNews anchor
Killer MovieMargo Moorhead
2010The Big PictureLayla
2011We Bought a ZooTV Anchor
2012Celeste and Jesse ForeverNews reporter
2013White House DownReporter
2015Ted 2Boston Newscaster
2017Girlfriend’s DayNewscaste