Bell Textron targets Bell 429 corporate customers in SouthEast Asia

Bell Textron has revealed the sale of two Bell 429s to two corporate customers in Southeast Asia and signed a purchase agreement for the first Bell 407GXi helicopter in Taiwan to Ginger Aviation.

The OEM said the Bell 429 sale demonstrated the model’s reliability, smooth and quiet ride and the manufacturer’s support and services. The latest sales brings the number of Bell 429 helicopters serving corporate customers in the region to nearly 15 aircraft.

It follows the recent delivery of two Designer Series Bell 429s that were recently delivered to Advanced Flight in New Zealand. The global Bell 429 fleet (including the one pictured) totals more than 400 aircraft, which have logged over 500,000 hours.

Meanwhile the OEM also disclosed the signing of a purchase agreement for the first Bell 407GXi helicopter with Ginger Aviation in Taiwan. The aircraft will be used to meet the growing demand for helicopter powerline wash and inspections in country.

Jacinto Monge, MD, Asia Pacific, Bell said: “Given the Bell 407’s strong track record in the utility segment globally, we are confident Ginger Aviation’s Bell 407GXi is the right aircraft for powerline wash and management. We look forward to working with Ginger Aviation to support the aircraft’s entry into the fleet when it is delivered later this year.”

The global Bell 407 fleet consists of more than 1,500 operating on six continents, having logged more than 6m flight hours.

The Bell 407GXi is powered by the new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 turbine engine equipped with two dual-channel FADEC turbine, delivering exceptional hot and high performance, fuel efficiency and the ability to cruise at 133 kts/246 km/h.

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Above: A Bell 407GXi helicopter powered by the new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 turbine engine.