FORT WORTH, TEXAS (Jan. 28, 2011) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced that the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) has awarded the Bell 429 helicopter Brazilian certification. This approval follows certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Canada (TC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“This certification clears the way for the Bell 429 to operate in Brazil, where we already have a significant established base of Bell Helicopter operators,” said Larry Roberts, Senior Vice President, Commercial Business, Bell Helicopter. “Brazil represents an important market for us and the 429, with its superior hot and high performance capability, power, speed, and flexible and expansive cabin, is ideally suited for the range of missions demanded by the Brazilian market. We look forward to delivering the first 429 into Brazil.”

Deliveries of the Bell 429 into Brazil will begin in early 2011. Orders for the new aircraft were placed following a highly successful regional tour that impressed customers throughout Latin America.

The Bell 429 already has a presence in Latin America with aircraft currently operating in Argentina. Since its introduction, the aircraft has received strong acceptance from customers around the globe including Asia Pacific, India and Europe.

The Bell 429 was first certified in mid-2009 as a single-pilot instrument flight rules (SPIFR), Category A helicopter under the latest requirements of Part 27 airworthiness rules by U.S., Canadian and European authorities. It is designed and built to more stringent airworthiness standards than any other light twin-engine helicopter.

Source: Bell Helicopters
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP