Forth Worth, TX – August 8, 2012 – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that the Department of Civil Aviation in Thailand is the thirteenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 based on Transport Canada’s certification.

Transport Canada approved operation of the Bell 429 at 7,500 lbs. in January, 2012 after an extensive technical evaluation. The increased gross weight of the 429 was driven by customer requirements for an increased load, which dramatically improves the 429’s capabilities.

“The approval of the 429 gross weight increase in Thailand allows Bell Helicopter to better serve the multi-mission needs of our customers in the Asian market,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “We have strong ties in this region – the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Ministry of Natural Resources, Royal Thai Police, Royal Thai Survey Department, and Electricity Generation Authority operate a variety of Bell helicopters including the 206L, 212, 407 and 412.”

“We are strengthening our relationship with Thailand by meeting their demand for durable, innovative commercial helicopters,” added Maldonado.

The Bell Helicopter 429 is one of the most advanced light twin IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) helicopters ever developed. It is safe, reliable and powerful, and serves the full spectrum of segments (air medical, law enforcement, oil & gas, utility, corporate, etc). The 429 has set the standard for light twins, delivering exceptional speed, range, and hover performance.

The Bell 429 is certified for Single or Dual Pilot IFR, Cat. A / JAROPS Performance Class 1 at maximum gross weight; has a state of the art fully-integrated glass cockpit; an advanced drive system that delivers power and superb performance; best in class WAAS navigation & IFR capability; and is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process. The increased gross weight configuration includes Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System (HTAWS), a radar altimeter, cockpit voice/flight data recorder and forward flashing lights.

Source: Bell Helicopters