Bell 429
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Out of Africa
Any truth in the rumour?
Is it true that Bell are renaming the variant for the Nigerian market the Bell 419?
Just provide your bank account details and send a small deposit and we guarantee that you will be at the top of our delivery list!
Just provide your bank account details and send a small deposit and we guarantee that you will be at the top of our delivery list!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,536
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
429 for Bond? ref Franborough
At Farnborough last week, had a chat with the Bell reps and found out something interesting that Peter Bond would be visiting the Bell chalet and that BAS had an interest in the 429. So there may be a possibility that BAS may go away from the traditional purchase of Eurocopter models??
And also the engineers said that the 429 easily beat the EC-135 in terms of performance especially at hot and higher altitudes
And also the engineers said that the 429 easily beat the EC-135 in terms of performance especially at hot and higher altitudes
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Just proves how you can tweak, stretch, morph, and digitally twist the grand ol' 206.
One of these days the Bell designers will be issued a blank piece of drafting paper....given cart blanche....and who knows what will come out of the new found freedom!
Of course they will have to retire a heap of folks to get down to the point they can hire young un's that have not become slavish Monk's busily copying the one set of drawings.
Perhaps they will one day think outside the box....Jet Box that is!
One of these days the Bell designers will be issued a blank piece of drafting paper....given cart blanche....and who knows what will come out of the new found freedom!
Of course they will have to retire a heap of folks to get down to the point they can hire young un's that have not become slavish Monk's busily copying the one set of drawings.
Perhaps they will one day think outside the box....Jet Box that is!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 3
From: Philadelphia PA
I'll go out on a limb here and defend Bell. Each manufacturer has a 'trademark' look. All cars do this. And so do most aircraft companies.
When you have a number of conflicting design requirements, and a given level of technology you're going to produce something that looks a certain way. Engineers try to be inventive about solving the problems, but everything becomes a compromise.
There's a good reason that all small cars look pretty close to the same. Can you tell a Honda from a Toyota when both are presented in profile at 100 yards? Good reason why they look close to the same. Both companies have the same design aim and the same technologies in metals and engines.
I think you'll see very little that's close to an original Bell 206 when you look very closely. A lot of time (and I mean a lot of time) went into this design.
I just wish they'd get it out and into production.
When you have a number of conflicting design requirements, and a given level of technology you're going to produce something that looks a certain way. Engineers try to be inventive about solving the problems, but everything becomes a compromise.
There's a good reason that all small cars look pretty close to the same. Can you tell a Honda from a Toyota when both are presented in profile at 100 yards? Good reason why they look close to the same. Both companies have the same design aim and the same technologies in metals and engines.
I think you'll see very little that's close to an original Bell 206 when you look very closely. A lot of time (and I mean a lot of time) went into this design.
I just wish they'd get it out and into production.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 3
From: Iceland
WTF is it with this cockpit seats???
Was The Hunchback from Notre Dame in the design group or what
Has anyone here had the pleasure to stick his butt in them?
And how is the forward visbility from cockpit compaired EC-135 and MD-900?
Looks like a preatty big dash to me according to the photo
Was The Hunchback from Notre Dame in the design group or what
Has anyone here had the pleasure to stick his butt in them?
And how is the forward visbility from cockpit compaired EC-135 and MD-900?
Looks like a preatty big dash to me according to the photo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,536
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
rotorrookie
I sat my behind in the cockpit and felt quite comfortable, a lot more room than the 902 (also 110% more than the Robinson 44 which I fly anyhow but thats another story!!
). Also there is a good height clearance even for a 6ft jockey (I'm 5"7 anyhow so that doesnt really count)
Admittedly forward view isn't too bad, with the EC-135 and MD902, there is more at feet level but still was the 429...its good at knee level.
Plus seats go back and forth on a rail (unlike the Robbo 44
)
I sat my behind in the cockpit and felt quite comfortable, a lot more room than the 902 (also 110% more than the Robinson 44 which I fly anyhow but thats another story!!
). Also there is a good height clearance even for a 6ft jockey (I'm 5"7 anyhow so that doesnt really count)Admittedly forward view isn't too bad, with the EC-135 and MD902, there is more at feet level but still was the 429...its good at knee level.
Plus seats go back and forth on a rail (unlike the Robbo 44
)
RotorHead
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 8
From: Canada
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Certification
Bell 429 Achieves Certification
FORT WORTH, TX (July 1, 2009) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) of its newest light twin engine helicopter, the 429. Bell has also completed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements. First deliveries are scheduled to begin this month.
FORT WORTH, TX (July 1, 2009) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the certification by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) of its newest light twin engine helicopter, the 429. Bell has also completed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements. First deliveries are scheduled to begin this month.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Austria
I have actually flown the 429 2 weeks ago in France. Best performance I have ever experienced at 14000 feet (Mont Blanc), hovering OGE with a MTOW minus 700 lbs. There are virtually no vibrations at any speed. Extremely nice handling characteristics, much better than E........... Should be a winner.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 3
From: Philadelphia PA
Sir Shawn??? Pleease!
I did enjoy flying the machine, and trust that comes across in the article. Several things that will be very noteworthy in the long run - the use of the Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG 3) in developing the continuing airworthiness of the machine will mean much better maintenance - it's already at 200 hours between inspections, which must be a first in helicopters. The thought given to the cabin layout and other parts of the fuselage will mean that the ever-present modifications will be easier and cheaper to get approved.
The performance and smoothness are outstanding - and the easy upgrade to a 4 axis autopilot means that Bell was really thinking about this.
It is the first new design from Bell since 1979, and the engineers really listened to the pilots - which was very nice to see.
And I guess I should get a commission on future sales...
I did enjoy flying the machine, and trust that comes across in the article. Several things that will be very noteworthy in the long run - the use of the Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG 3) in developing the continuing airworthiness of the machine will mean much better maintenance - it's already at 200 hours between inspections, which must be a first in helicopters. The thought given to the cabin layout and other parts of the fuselage will mean that the ever-present modifications will be easier and cheaper to get approved.
The performance and smoothness are outstanding - and the easy upgrade to a 4 axis autopilot means that Bell was really thinking about this.
It is the first new design from Bell since 1979, and the engineers really listened to the pilots - which was very nice to see.
And I guess I should get a commission on future sales...