Aircraft support company Hawker Pacific has been approved by Bell to provide support for Bell 429 helicopters at its facility at Bankstown in Sydney.

"The Bankstown facility will provide maintenance and support for the growing number of Bell 429s in the region," Hawker Pacific said.

It is currently investing in factory training, specialist tooling and spare parts.

The company said there is a Bell 429 operating in New Zealand. Sydney will receive its first Bell 429, a corporate aircraft, in December.

In addition, the Australian Navy will receive three Bell 429s next year. On 19 September, minister for defence materiel, Jason Clare said the Navy signed a $26 million deal with Raytheon to provide three Bell 429s to be used as training aircraft for junior naval helicopter aircrew.

Source: Flight International