Originally Posted by
RVDT
Have often thought the same thing - unless you have the IGW kit it is pointless. IGW kit not happening in EASA land. Look up what is in the IGW kit and ask yourself just how exactly it makes any difference.
I guess people get suckered by the large cabin or something. Granted the 135 cabin is smaller but we had a 135 P2+ with WSPS, DP/SP IFR, A/C and floats - useful was about 1080 kg. Good truthful little helicopter.
Have now moved on to H145 which is a rocket. We keep the empty weight to essentials.
The 429 was going to "wag the dog" and they expected the authorities to bend over under Part 27. It is that heavy it should be a Part 29 aircraft.
And the dumb thing is it could be a Part 29 aircraft except it only has only one cooler blower!
That was it?! Concincing the FAA, forcing it’s sh*t all over the place because of one blower? That really sucks 😂 It could have been a great helicopter... like the 412, with a single drive shaft.
Bell always seems to leave a flaw so they can argue about later instead of doing it right the first time.