Nigeria validates higher weight Bell 429 helicopter
Nigeria has become the 15th country to validate the higher gross weight Bell 429 helicopter.
Nigeria has become the 15th country to validate the higher gross weight Bell 429 helicopter.
Bell Helicopter announced that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has validated the Bell 429 for operation in Nigeria and endorsed the Bell 429 gross weight increase to 7,500 lbs.
“Nigeria’s validation of the 429 and its endorsement of the gross weight increase is very exciting for us as the country continues to expand its aviation services and infrastructure,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “As the most populous country in Africa, and its leading producer of oil, there is increasing demand for reliable rotorcraft in the oil and gas, utility/corporate, and parapublic/military sectors. The performance boost of the 429’s increased gross weight will allow customers across all segments to fully utilize the capabilities of the aircraft to carry more fuel and equipment.”
Nigeria is the 15th country to validate the higher gross weight for the helicopter.
Transport Canada approved operation of the Bell 429 at 7,500 lbs. in December 2011 after conducting an extensive technical evaluation. To date, The Bell 429 increased gross weight has been approved by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam.
