Flight tests continue as second Bell 429 joins certification fleet | Aviation International News

Flight tests continue as second Bell 429 joins certification fleet

The second Bell 429 took to the skies on August 31, five months after the first test ship flew last winter.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

September 19, 2007

The second Bell 429 took to the skies on August 31, five months after the first test ship flew last winter. It is one of five that will eventually complete a test program that is expected to amass 1,500 hours in the air before the helicopter’s planned certification and initial customer deliveries next year.

Bell currently holds orders for more than 200 of the 7,000-pound-mtow, $4.86 million (single-pilot, IFR-equipped) 429. Aeromedical services provider Air Methods–the launch customer–is also the largest customer for the 429, with orders for 25 and options for 10 more. The 429 will be available in medevac, law enforcement, utility and executive configurations with either skids or retractable-wheel landing gear. In high-density medevac configurations, the 429 can be fitted with two medical litters and four attendant seats; in utility configuration there are seats for a single pilot and up to seven passengers.

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