In a move to further broaden its customer support and service capabilities, Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter segment has acquired SkyBOOKS, an innovative aviation management solutions business that provides comprehensive information necessary for compliance with the regulations of the FAA and international regulatory agencies.

"With this transaction, Bell adds important capabilities to its existing customer support and service businesses and advances its strategy to deliver broader and more integrated solutions to the worldwide aviation industry," said Dick Millman, Bell Helicopter president and CEO. "SkyBOOKS also gives Textron's businesses top-notch tools for the management of critical aviation data that is important both to the company and the customer."

SkyBOOKs was developed by Aerospace Investments, LLC and is located in Florida, adjacent to the Jacksonville International Airport. This operation provides an online service that includes maintenance tracking, flight operations, expenses, pilot currency, document archiving and electronic logbooks. These business services have been developed for the full spectrum of business, private and governmental rotary and fixed-wing aircraft operators. In addition, SkyBOOKS provides critical management information to support organizations such as repair stations, aircraft resellers and dealers, and financial institutions.

FMI: www.textron.com