Sun, Sep 02, 2007
Company Has Over 200 Orders: Cert Expected In 2008
Bell Helicopter told ANN last week the company's second 429
prototype recently completed its maiden flight, and entered Bell's
flight test program.
"The 429 development program continues to meet or exceed all the
requirements we put in front of it," said Bill Stromberg, executive
director of the 429 program. "This second aircraft will allow us to
increase the pace of our test program as we progress towards our
first deliveries late next year. We completed safety of flight
testing and expansion of the flight envelope about one month faster
than anticipated and didn???t encounter unexpected design issues in
this testing. The two aircraft will depart in September for hot and
high testing in Colorado and Arizona and first flight by pilots
from the certification authorities."
"This is a strong program and a great helicopter that clearly
demonstrates Bell's commitment to the commercial marketplace,"
added Bob Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of business
development.
Commenting on other outstanding program issues Stromberg added,
"We are rapidly closing in on a final configuration and we are very
confident that performance and handling qualities will meet our
targets. The flight manual and maintenance manual are over 50%
complete and long lead spare parts are on order to support initial
deliveries to customers. Preparation of customer training
curriculum and a flight training device are also progressing on
schedule."
The 429, manufactured at Bell's production facility in Mirabel,
Quebec, currently has an order backlog of over 200 aircraft. The
current development schedule has the 429 achieving FAA and Canadian
certification simultaneously in 2008.
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