Bell 429 qualifies for border dash to Texas
Sure, you can fly, but you can’t travel.

Sure, you can fly, but you can’t travel. That was the case with Bell Helicopter Textron’s new Model 429, still in the test-flight phase. The speedy light twin intended for display at Heli-Expo 2008 was in Canada and flight-ready, but it had less than the 25 flight hours needed before it could legally be flown across the border into the U.S.

So Bell pilots took to the air near the company’s Mirabel, Quebec manufacturing plant in a successful effort to build the necessary hours. The aircraft, one of three currently flying, is now prominently displayed at the Bell Helicopter booth (No. 4629).