MAPL Technology Advanced Three Years, Over 90 Orders Already Booked

It was quite a show... At a spectacular unveiling at the opening day of HeliExpo 2005, Bell Helicopter chief executive officer Michael Redenbaugh introduced the all-new Bell 429 light twin helicopter. In ceremonies before a large crowd Mr. Redenbaugh presented two complete mockups of the new aircraft. First was the wheeled corporate version followed by Emergency Medical Service version with a cavernous patient area.

Speaking of the newly introduced and named GlobalRanger, Mr. Redenbaugh said, “The new Bell 429 represents many things to the market place. First, it is simply the benchmark for the light twin segment. Second, it epitomizes the new Bell’s dedication to listening to our customers. Third, it is the first of many Bell products that will begin incorporating new technologies we have been developing the last several years,”

He continued, “The Bell 429 contains nine new MAPL technologies. The most visible is the MAPL cabin. It is huge! It will provide our customers a tremendous range of options. We are able to do this because we accelerated the introduction of some of our MAPL technology by three years. It is the basis of our responding to our customer requirements for now and the future. With the Bell 429 we are accelerating the introduction of the next generation product line by incorporating the MAPL cabin with the 427i announced last year.”

Plans call for the first Bell 429 deliveries in first half of 2007.

This light twin will surpass all competitive light twins in the following key customer satisfaction parameters:

• Cabin volume -- 220 cu ft; more than 70% larger than Bell’s current light twin 427
• Useful load -- 2700 lb with a Single Pilot IFR configuration
• Range -- 365 nautical miles with full payload

The following features will be standard configuration in the 429M:

• MAPL cabin offers the following advantages
• Cockpit that can accommodate from a 5th percentile woman to a 95th percentile man wearing a helmet with NVG stowed
• Wide, open cabin
• Best in class volume in cabin for comfort and improved patient access in the EMS configuration
• 2-patient capability with both attendants at patient head
• Flat floor to optimize mission flexibility
• Clam shell doors to accommodate roll-on, roll-off, one-man litter loading systems and maximum utility flexibility
• Integrated sliding doors with an opening wide enough to side load patients
• High and low skid gear
• New state-of-the-art MAPL glass cockpit
• Integrated Avionics System
• Single pilot IFR (dual optional)
• Category A
• Fully coupled 3-axis autopilot
• Dual hydraulic system in all three axes
• Pilot friendly instrument panel
• Room for growth and mission flexibility
• New rotor technology offering competitive performance
• 1100 shp
• Increased speed
• Variable RPM
• Improved altitude performance
• Decreased noise
• MAPL Developed Manufacturing Techniques
• New 4-bladed tail rotor system offering noise improvements
• TCAA/FAA/ EASA certification to latest amendments

The 429 program is a collaborative program involving foreign investors from around the world.

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.textron.com