Rotorcraft
Bell 429 flight tests gather momentum
Bell is planning to add the second 429 prototype to its flight-test effort next month.

Bell is planning to add the second 429 prototype to its flight-test effort next month. The first example of the new light-twin helicopter has already convinced design engineers that they can stay with a four-blade tail rotor.

As of late April, the second aircraft was undergoing preparation to enter the flight-test phase. The Fort Worth, Texas-based manufacturer will use five helicopters–two prototypes and three production aircraft–in the flight-test program in Montreal, Bell 429 program director Bill Stromberg told AIN.

Loading…