Bell has delivered two model 429 helicopters to Abu Dhabi's EDIC Horizon International Flight Academy from a May 2018 order for the light-twins.

Based at Al Ain International airport, EDIC Horizon provides flight training with an all-Bell fleet, which also consists of 206s and 407s.

EDIC says it will use the 429s for airline transport pilot licence instrument, multi-engine and specialised mission training.

Hareb Thani Al Dhaheri, EDIC Horizon chief executive, describes the Bell fleet as "an essential part of our training operations since our inception [in 2003], and the new aircraft will enable us to further expand our training offering".

Patrick Moulay, senior vice-president commercial business at the US manufacturer, says the latest delivery demonstrates the traction the 429 has gained in the Middle East.

While he does not quote fleet numbers in the region for the 3.1t maximum take-off weight type, Flight Fleets Analyzer records 13 examples from a global fleet of 332.

Source: Flight International