Vibrations on Bell 429, AW109 or H135
 

Hello,

Has anybody flown the Bell 429, AW109 and H135 or two of these and can compare their experience with vibrations and noise?

Thanks
Moe

What’s the mission profile? Payload, distances, environment, vfr/ifr/nvg etc?

Hi Moe

I have data I can share with you if you dm me. My view would be 429, 109, 135 in all also extra of the envelope. I do fly the 429 and 109

HEMS missions with IFR (does this make a difference?), with often heavy payload on short or intermediate distances (<100NM).

I would maybe give a shout out to Air Zermatt.... they have extensive experience with lots of aircraft including having both the 429 and the 135 in their fleets. But they did replace their 135s with 429s as a whole. Air Zermatt contacts

Makes a difference depending on whether it was fitted with sound deadening (Ie corporate fitout), or have a bunch of crap hanging on the outside of it.

Cant speak for the 109, but overall I think the 429 has a smoother ride and less noise than the 135 inside the cabin. Airbus has a better cockpit/panel though and arguably a nicer autopilot.

The other bonus to the 429 over the 135 is that you get a lot better ongoing product support. Bell actually keeps most things in stock. Not having to deal with safran (excluding the 505) is also an added bonus.

In addition to Air Zermatt you can maybe get in touch with REGA and see if any of their pilots can give you good information for the AW109. They operate 11 AW109SP's for HEMS / SAR and seem pretty happy with them.

I fly the 429 and the 135.


Vibration: 429 is generally a smoother ride

Noise: 135 is noticeably quieter in the cockpit and cabin.

HEMS suitability: 429 clamshell door design prone to problems vs 135’s simpler design. 429 less accepting of off airport landings due to very low damage tolerance skids. Limited visibility through 429 chin bubbles can be an issue during confined area ops.

Thank you, everybody!

Shear bearings in the 429!!! I won't go into detail, but becoming a huge problem, and talk about vibrations.

Do you mean the shear bearings between the rotor blades and the main rotor head?