Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Air ambulance provider Life Flight Network (LFN) is adding three Bell helicopters to its fleet, bringing the total number of the OEM’s aircraft it operates to 32—five Bell 429 light twins and 27 Bell 407 singles. The new helicopters include two Bell 407GXis and one 429. The 407s have already joined the fleet, and the 429 will be delivered in December. LFN COO Michael Weimer said the new helicopters deliver “the cabin space and speed our crews require to provide life-saving medical care to our patients.”
LFN is the largest not-for-profit air medical program in the U.S. and the largest air medical operator of Bell helicopters in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. Since 1978, LFN has grown to 29 helicopter bases, 10 fixed-wing bases, and two neonatal and pediatric bases across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana; it is the largest air medical operator in the region.
“This year, Life Flight Network celebrates 45 years of operations, and Bell is honored to support their incredible history of providing critical care transport,” said Lane Evans, Bell director, North America sales.
Bell has produced more than 1,600 407s, and the fleet has logged six million flight hours. The new 407GXi is equipped with Garmin G1000H NXi avionics and is IFR-certified.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Life Flight Network Expands Bell Fleet

Air ambulance provider builds Bell fleet to 32

Western air ambulance operator Life Flight Network is adding two Bell 407s and one 429 to its fleet.

Life Flight Network Adds Three New Bells to Fleet

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

In this article

Bell 429

Bell 407 Series

Bell

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