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 | Airlink 33/40 is the only helicopter used to gather news in central and northeast Alabama. Throughout the years it has proven to be the fastest way to cover stories anywhere in the ABC 33/40 viewing area. In addition, Airlink 33/40 provides viewers with an exclusive aerial perspective of the stories going on below. Most noteably, Airlink 33/40 gave viewers their first look at the devastation in Jefferson County following the fatal tornadoes in April, 1998. It gave viewers an instant look at the damage in Tuscaloosa following the tornadoes in December, 2000. And Airlink 33/40 gave viewers the best look at the massive warehouse fire in downtown Birmingham. The helicopter is a McDonnell-Douglas 500E with a maximum cruising speed of 155 miles per hour. Its 420 shaft horsepower engine has a maximum fuel range of 345 miles. Similar helicopters are used in aerial surveys, fire fighting and air rescue operations. The primary pilot for ABC 33/40 is Donnie Click. He's a certified flight instructor who received his flight training at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. The Hueytown native was an air traffic controller in the U.S. Army from 1990-1994. Donnie is married and has two children. |
 Lots of Controls to fly a helicopter | |
 Close up of instrument panel | |
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