INDIANAPOLIS -- After grounding its fleet for the first time in 42 years, public safety officials said Friday that the city will sell three of its police helicopters.

Public Safety Director Frank Straub said after exploring various options to fund air support operations, officials determined the best option would be to sell the police department's MD-600 and two Hughes helicopters.

He said the move would free up money to operate the remaining aircraft.

“We believe that the sale of the three aircraft will allow the aviation unit to operate its Bell Jet Ranger, thereby providing valuable air support to major events, patrol and investigative activities, fire and search and rescue operations,” Straub said in a release.

The insurance policies for the four helicopters were allowed to expire in early January under mounting budget pressure. One of the helicopters hadn't been flown in six months, while another hadn't flown for more than two years.

Straub said the sale of the three helicopters will fund flight operations in 2011 and 2012.