Melbourne, Florida-based Southeast Aerospace (SEA) has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) number SR04546AT for the installation of its special mission operator station in the Bell 407 helicopter.

Southeast Aerospace designed and manufactured the operator station as an ideal mounting solution for housing mission equipment in the Bell 407 helicopter to support airborne law enforcement (ALE) missions. Obtaining STC certification for the operator station provides a seamless path to meeting the regulatory and safety requirements of an FAA-approved installation in the Bell 407, mitigating additional costs or requirements for both the customer and installation facility.

The operator station was designed to support the tactical flight officers (TFO) mission as a primary focus. Dual monitors provide an extended viewing area for mission sensor and mapping data, and the operator station cabinet offers ample space for housing a fully integrated mission suite of their choosing.

The operator station cabinet provides mounting provisions for electrical equipment such as video monitors, communication control panels and recording equipment to be installed by the end-user. The mission panel includes provisions for Dzus mounted equipment as well as a dedicated panel for circuit breakers, switches and maintenance ports. In addition, it is equipped with a fold-down keyboard tray, installed on the left side of the operator station, which can be securely folded up and stowed with a quarter-turn latch for taxi, take off and landing operations.

The standard configuration provides provisions for two Macro-Blue MB15W 15 tactical displays. The two identical monitor frames are independently adjustable. In addition, each monitor pivots at the centre of the assembly allowing the monitors to be independently rotated towards the operator, up to a maximum of 20°. Once adjusted, the monitor can be locked in any position within the range of motion. The monitor mount assembly also features a tilting function controlled through a knob below the monitors, giving the monitor mount assembly a tilt of up to 25° to customise the TFO's viewing angle.

The SEA operator station replaces the left-side aft-facing passenger seat in the Bell 407, maintaining three aft cabin passenger seats. The existing left-side aft-facing passenger seat is removed and replaced as part of the modification.

No changes to the rotorcraft interior are required as the operator assembly poses no interference with the existing interior design. Permanent modifications are negligible during this installation so the aircraft can be returned to its original configuration if desired. The operator station was also designed to utilise an integrated electrical disconnect panel allowing for quick and easy removal of the entire cabinet for maintenance and inspections.

"With a dedication to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, SEA is proud to announce STC certification for the latest addition to our special mission product line, the Bell 407 operator station," says business development manager Nathan Hernandez. "We worked closely with some of the finest TFOs and our engineering team to design a comfortable, effective and practical operator workstation. By having certified options, we can help agencies access high-quality products while still working with their local avionics modification team. We look forward to providing more options to the ALE community as we continue to develop and certify additional products."