The HFD's helicopter is known as Air-1. Air-1 flies day and night visual flight rules (VFR) missions. Air-1 is often dispatched to emergencies with the HFD Rescue Squad. For example, Rescue Squad members will sometimes rappel from Air-1 into a remote, mountainous area to locate a lost or injured hiker. This method allows Rescue Squad members to quickly reach and provide aid to the hiker, whereas having the Rescue Squad follow a trail to the hiker may require several hours.   

The HFD actually has 2 McDonnell-Douglas MD 520N No Tail Rotor (NOTAR^®) helicopters. The second helicopter is designated as Air-2. Air-1 and Air-2 alternate duty, enabling at least one helicopter to be available for emergencies if the other is down for maintenance or repairs. Occasionally, both helicopters will be dispatched to emergencies.  Air-1 and Air-2 are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The HFD helicopters respond to emergencies over the entire island of Oahu, including the ocean up to three miles offshore.  Although helicopter operations are expensive, the HFD doesn't charge or bill members of the public for rescue services involving the helicopter.      

The most distinguishing feature of these helicopters is the lack of a conventional tail rotor. NOTAR^® helicopters provide improved safety and reduced noise when compared to helicopters with conventional tail rotors. These safety features are important during both flight and ground operations. Anti-torque in NOTAR^® helicopters is controlled by low pressure, high volume air forced through the end of the tail boom. The air is propelled by a variable pitch fan enclosed in the aft fuselage section of the helicopter. The fan is driven from the main rotor transmission. 

Air-1 is equipped with a detachable forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera to help locate lost or missing hikers during darkness.  Once lost or missing hikers are located, Air-1 may use the Billy Pugh Rescue Net:to extract such hikers from mountainous terrain.  For injured hikers, the Stokes Litter maybe used to transport such hikers to an awaiting ambulance.  For brush fires in mountainous areas, Air-1 uses the Bambi Bucket, a lightweight collapsible container, for water drops on brush fires.