The Michigan State Police has recently received an upgraded Bell 407 from Pennsylvania-based helicopter completions services company PAC International. The aircraft's original analogue display was converted to a true glass cockpit with a new Aeronautical Accessories/Garmin G1000 NXi retrofit kit.

The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck offers simple digital displays for reduced pilot fatigue and exceptional dependability, accuracy and situational awareness. The upgrade features new avionics, including dual navigation, communications, air data, attitude and heading reference systems (ADAHRS) and wide area augmentation system (WAAS) GPS. Also included in the package are synthetic vision and a helicopter terrain awareness and warning system or HTAWS.

PAC also installed an Aeronautical Accessories enlarged instrument panel and Genesys Aerosystems HeliSAS autopilot system. Upgrades to the original mission suite included Wulfsberg and Motorola tactical radios, Shotover ARS700 mapping system and Airborne displays.

The Michigan State Police Aviation Unit works closely with all Michigan law enforcement agencies, the Michigan National Guard and the US Coast Guard air stations. The Aviation Unit has a fleet of aircraft based out of Lansing's Capital Region International airport, with satellite offices in Saginaw and Ypsilanti. Aircraft include a Beech King Air 90, Cessna 182R, Bell 206L3, two Bell 407s, two Bell UH-1H Hueys and three Aeryon SkyRanger unmanned aerial systems (UASs). The Aviation Unit also uses a downlink truck, which receives live video feeds from the helicopters or UAS, providing ground commanders with increased situational awareness of critical incidents.

“Our team is honoured to work with cutting-edge organisations like Michigan State Police. We've supported its mission for several years, and we look forward to continuing to support it in the future,” says PAC completions manager Marty Blough.

PAC's capabilities range from maintenance and avionics to paint, component repair and overhaul.