Bell 429
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: UK
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Shame they would not let you have a closer look at the B429 on the stand unless you had a secret handshake or what not, it's not my fault I could only go on the Sunday.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Out of Africa
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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!
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
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!
Not too many 206 part numbers on this one SASless. Pretty well clean sheet design from what I have seen.
I guess you're right; with only 330 sold so far Bell should try and do better next time
I guess you're right; with only 330 sold so far Bell should try and do better next time
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Philadelphia PA
Age: 73
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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.
Well I guess it saves on wind tunnel hours if they all have the same shape.
The 412 even has 47 part number parts on it...with 204 part numbers too.
The 412 even has 47 part number parts on it...with 204 part numbers too.
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
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Spain
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Any idea where I can get hold of one of the elaborate hairpieces the guy's got in the last photo?
I've checked the News of the World colour supplement, and I can't find a thing.
I've checked the News of the World colour supplement, and I can't find a thing.
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
)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Australia
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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.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Austria
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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.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Philadelphia PA
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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...