Helicopters

Bell Helicopter expects to deliver the first 429 medium-twin helicopters to customers by the fourth quarter of 2008, almost a year behind schedule. The second prototype made a successful first flight at Bell’s Mirabel, Canada facility last week, and FAA and Transport Canada certification should be achieved next year.

Bell has more than 200 orders in the book for the 429 - 190 confirmed and around 30 options. But the programme has been held up by production problems as well as delays with Bell’s other models. It is the company’s first helicopter to use Bell’s modular affordable product line (MAPL) technology.

Bill Stromberg, executive director of the 429 programme, is confident of getting the programme back on track. “The 429 development program continues to meet or exceed all the requirements we put in front of it,” he says. “This second aircraft will allow us to increase the pace of our test program as we progress toward our first deliveries late next year. We completed safety of flight testing and expansion of the flight envelope about one month faster than anticipated and didn’t encounter unexpected design issues in this testing.”

The two aircraft will depart in September for hot and high testing in Colorado and Arizona and first flight by pilots from the certification authorities. “We are rapidly closing in on a final configuration and we are very confident that performance and handling qualities will meet our targets,” Stromberg adds. “The flight manual and maintenance manual are over 50% complete and long lead spare parts are on order to support initial deliveries to customers. Preparation of customer training curriculum and a flight training device are also progressing on schedule.”