A low, thunderous buzz pulses through the air like a heartbeat. It grows faster, louder and closer, until the ground seems to vibrate beneath your feet. Overhead, the blur of spinning blades cuts through the sky with a deep, churning roar. 

When a helicopter is flying, it speaks. And the Minnesota State Patrol’s newest aircraft speaks with one purpose: saving lives. From remote rescues to search operations and traffic enforcement, the patrol’s new Bell 429 helicopter is providing a major boost to public safety statewide.

The twin-engine aircraft is packed with upgrades designed to save lives, help first responders statewide and support the patrol’s mission of making Minnesota’s roads safer.

“This helicopter offers more capabilities than we have ever had, expanding search and rescue missions,” said Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic. “This isn’t only about technology — it’s about protecting lives. When a pursuit turns dangerous or a driver puts others at risk, this helicopter gives us eyes in the sky to end it safely. That means fewer crashes, fewer injuries and more people making it home to their families.”

More power, more safety

Unlike the patrol’s two older Bell 407 helicopters, the Bell 429 features two engines, giving pilots a critical safety edge.

“If we lose an engine in a 407, we’re landing immediately — wherever we are,” said Craig Benz, chief pilot for the Minnesota State Patrol’s flight section. “But with this, we can fly safely back to an airport.”

Hoist-ready for rapid rescues

One of the helicopter’s most game-changing features? A side-mounted hoist system that lets rescue crews lift people directly into the cabin from tough-to-reach terrain, such as steep cliffs, remote woods or flood zones.

In the past, Benz said those rescues could take up to an hour. Before arriving at the rescue scene, the helicopter crew would have to land nearby to set up lines and position rescuers before they could pick up the victims and transport them to first responders on the ground. Now, they can fly directly overhead without landing first, lower a rescuer and have the victim bundled up and airborne in 10 to 15 minutes.

“It’s faster, safer and gets everyone — victim and rescuer — out of danger quicker,” Benz said. “That can mean everything in a crisis.” 

These rescue missions using the new helicopter will be conducted by the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART), a joint unit made up of State Patrol pilots and St. Paul Fire Department personnel. MART’s missions mainly focus on rescuing lost or injured people in remote areas that are difficult to reach by land.

High-tech, high-impact

The Bell 429’s systems are next-level. A more advanced autopilot helps reduce pilot workload, but Benz is quick to point out it still requires highly skilled pilots in the cockpit.

“You’re not just cruising. You’re managing systems, monitoring airspace and always making decisions,” he said. “It’s like going from driving a sports car to operating a semi.”

That kind of precision and focus is critical when lives are on the line.

Built for Minnesota missions

The Minnesota legislature approved $14.4 million in funding for the helicopter in 2023, covering not just the aircraft but its high-tech mission gear including cameras, radio systems, equipment that provides video livestreaming and even a spotlight for night missions.

“It’s not like buying a car,” Benz said. “This is custom-built for Minnesota’s public safety needs.”

All that technology will be used to support State Patrol flight missions focusing on tracking down speeders, reckless drivers and fleeing suspects.

“When other agencies across Minnesota need help — whether it’s a fire, a missing person, or an aerial search — they call us,” Benz said. “We don’t take over scenes. We’re there to help and give them tools they don’t have.”

A rare resource in the region

Minnesota is the only state in the upper Midwest where the state patrol owns and operates its own helicopters full-time. Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas rely on contracted helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft instead. 

All hands on deck

Benz emphasized the team effort that made this new helicopter a reality — from lawmakers to leadership at the Department of Public Safety.

“It took a lot of hands to bring this to life,” he said. “But when you see it here, ready to serve Minnesotans, it’s worth every minute.”

Watch the video below to learn more about the State Patrol's new helicopter: