Thank you for all your comments very clear and enjoy your new toy :ok:

Pregnant Guppy
 

The Bell Model 400 was the true 'Pregnant Guppy' of Bell's light helicopter fleet ;-)

Bell Model 400 / 440 helicopter - development history, photos, technical data

A109E replacement
 

Have been asked to look at alternatives to our vip A109E, and the 429 is one of the aircraft that gets into the frame.
Am interested in anybodys comments that has operated this type now it has been on the go for a little while now, both operationally and technically.
Serviceability? support with spares and information? Pro's and con's?
Is it a replacement for A109E in vip congiguration?
Any comments will be welcome

Compared to the Agusta support you've likely had, Bell support can't be beat.

The aircraft is performs really, really well... the question I would pose is where you plan to operate it out of. I see UK/Nigeria... and in both Nigeria / Isle of Man, it can operate at 7500lbs, whereas in England it's limited to 7000lbs. With a VIP configuration, that may not matter as much as compared to a EMS configuration though.

Send a PM to longbox and he can give you all the details on 429s.

We operate the B429 in the US with the 7000lbs limitation. With full seats/luggage, it's really not a factor if your flight durations are 1.2 and under. You can cover a lot of ground in 1.2 with the 429 at 140-145 knots burning 550 lbs/hr. The other thing to consider is that it can carry it's gross weight to extremely hot and high without limitations. The OEI performance is equally impressive. The performance charts are designed for a super min-spec aircraft. Even the high time trainers at the school have significant margins over the charts. Your new aircraft will blow your mind in performance.

IMO, the key is configuration for a light machine. Our's weighed in at 4,860 lbs empty with full corporate interior, 4th axis auto pilot, and all the avionics trimmings. We didn't get the search light or aux tank.

As said above, the customer support is beyond good. We have just over 70 hours in ours since Dec and it's flawless. I can't say enough good things about this machine.

I should add a note about ride quality. Compared to the Augusta you will never feel that teeth shattering ETL in the 429. Between the live mount transmission and advanced head design the ride quality is unmatched to anything I've experienced from ETL to VNE. The first time I flew in a 109 I thought something was coming apart in the head...the pilot I flew with of course said the famous Augusta words "it's supposed to do that". ; )

429 in Oman ?
 

Recently five 429's have been exported to Oman.

Any details about Operator and total units ordered would be most welcome.

Perhaps some photo's ?

Trainers for the RAFO (x5); the first two (57261 & 57262) were delivered in late April.

I/C

Still loving our B429. She loves the inside of a cloud! Magnificent machine!

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