Aircraft Will Be Deployed On HEMS Missions

Bell Helicopter announced the signing of a purchase agreement for two Bell 429s by Nakanihon Air Service Co., Ltd. (NNK) at Heli-Expo in Dallas. The two new aircraft will be delivered later this year and will be used for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS).

NNK purchased its first Bell Helicopter, a Bell 47G-2 in April 1960. Since then, they have purchased 77 Bell Helicopter aircraft. NNK currently owns and operates 13 Bell helicopters, including the 206, 430, 204, 412 and 429 models. In addition, NNK manages eight Bell 412EP and 412EPIs on behalf of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and various Prefectures around Japan for Emergency Surveillance and Fire Fighting Disaster Recovery missions. NNK has been an authorised Customer Service Facility since 1994 and customizes many of the Bell helicopters entering Japan.

“We are delighted that Nakanihon has purchased two additional Bell 429s, to bring its Bell fleet up to 15 aircraft” said Richard Thornley, Bell Helicopter’s managing director, Japan. “It is remarkable that our loyal customer, Nakanihon have purchased their seventy-eighth and seventy-ninth Bell helicopters, over a period of nearly 60 years, emphasizing their trust in the Bell product and the support provided by Bell in Japan. Since Nakanihon currently operates a 429 in the HEMS role, it is a huge endorsement for the Bell 429, and its exceptional performance, speed, and low vibration that they have decided to purchase two more for this life-saving mission.”

(Image provided with Bell Helicopter news release)

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