Bell Helicopter Prepares for 200th Bell 429 Delivery

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Fort Worth, TX (August 12, 2014) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will soon deliver its 200th Bell 429 to Miramar Empreendimentos Imobiliários, a hi-rise residential construction and real estate company serving the coastal area of Sao Paulo for more than 30 years. The aircraft will be used for corporate transportation and charter around Miramar’s projects and key areas in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. The aircraft will officially be handed over to the customer in a special delivery ceremony at the end of the month.

“We really needed a twin-engine helicopter that was fully equipped for IFR Flights,” said Armenio Mendes, president of Miramar Empreendimentos Imobiliários. “The Bell 429’s low operating cost, advanced technology and proven reliability led us to purchase this aircraft that will help us transport our customers and team safely, quickly and effectively.”

Miramar has been a customer with Bell Helicopter since first purchasing a Bell 206 Jet Ranger in 2000. They also later added a Bell 407 to their fleet.

“When we introduced the Bell 429 a few years ago, customers throughout the world responded, especially in Latin America,” said Jay Ortiz, Bell Helicopter’s vice president of commercial business in Latin America.  “We now have more than 40 of these aircraft operating in the region and look forward to growing our global and regional Bell 429 fleet even more in the years to come.”

The Bell 429 is one of the most advanced light twin helicopters ever developed, delivering exceptional speed, range, hover performance and enhanced safety margins with a fully-integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system and best-in-class WAAS navigation and IFR capability. The Bell 429 has more cabin space than any other light twin helicopter with flat flooring and seating for seven passengers and one flight crew. Wide 60” side doors and optional rear clam-shell doors provide quick and easy access for flight officers when every second counts. The aircraft has also been certified to operate at a 7,500 lb. gross weight in Brazil, giving it additional flexibility in every day operations.