The current Bell 407 helicopter was purchased for $2 million in 2000. The tail number represents the station's channel, that this is the third news gathering helicopter for the station and WRAL's role in pioneering high definition broadcasting. The aircraft is piloted by Steve Wiley, who has flown for the station since 1987. Today, the aircraft is normally stored at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport but a helipad is available on the roof above the Capitol Broadcasting President's office in the WRAL buildings near downtown Raleigh. The helicopter is equipped with $600,000 worth of video equipment including cameras installed on the tail, two in the cabin and a gyroscope controlled high definition camera under the nose, all of which can be controlled from the rear of the aircraft by a videographer. WRAL modified the helicopter to reach speeds of 130 miles per hour providing access to anywhere in the Triangle within seven minutes.