July 29, 2022

PAC International recently upgraded a Bell 407 for Michigan State Police. The team converted the aircraft’s original analog display 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 & 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 United States 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 Aircraft 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 honored to work with cutting-edge organizations like Michigan State Police. We’ve supported their mission for several years, and we look forward to continuing to support them in the future,” says Marty Blough, Completions Manager for PAC.

PAC International, officially known as Paradigm Aerospace Corporation, is a subsidiary of Metro Aviation, Inc. PAC’s capabilities range from maintenance and avionics to paint, component repair, and overhaul. With more than 40 years of experience, PAC can deliver high-quality services that exceed requirements and expectations.

To learn more about PAC, visit the Metro Aviation Booth (#820) at APSCON in Reno, July 27-29.