The US FAA have granted Southeast Aerospace a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) which will allow them to fit their SEA special mission operator station in the Bell 407 helicopters. According to Southeast Aerospace, 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 additional 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, takeoff, 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 customize the TFOs 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 utilize an integrated electrical disconnect panel allowing for quick and easy removal of the entire cabinet for maintenance and inspections.
