Not exactly, perhaps Bell felt that how much a helicopter should be rated to lift should be determined by how much the helicopter could lift. I know that might seem like a really strange concept to you, but Americans are very odd like that.

Interesting point of view so why the American FAA said no ?
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Too much association with EASA or perhaps pressure from the current administration to fall into line with other international regulators? It is hard to say.

So the FAA said no because of their links with the EASA (and others dark powers) and the TCCA said yes because they don't have these links.

Again, interesting point of view.

So about the R66 for exemple, why the FAA said yes and the TCCA and EASA said no (until now) ?
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Interesting comments.

As the 429 was "designed" for a higher weight and therefore should have more power/performance margin available at the "lower" weight it probably does perform well at altitude.

The saving grace is that in Switzerland you probably can't fly more than 10 minutes away from a Jet fuel bowser.

Helicopters in Switzerland fly up and down not along. ;)

I think Alfa Helicopters in Czech, went with the 135 at the time due to cooperation with Delta System Air (135 fleet) and the delay with the 429. They originally had an order for 4 427i's, which then became the 429. They now have 2 135's so I guess there is no reason to go to a new type.

The 427 has been quite sucessfull for them in the EMS role, and they were the first operator in the world to use it for this, if not the only, as far as I know?

Your logic doesn't make sense since the TCCA has the same links. Since the 429 is built in Canada I am sure Transport Canada was under significant political pressure to grant the increase. Perhaps that internal political pressure was sufficient to counter the pressure to fall into line.

completely disagree with you comment. the 429 was completely redesigned from the ground up. One of the most technologically advanced ships out there... :=

Compared to a B206 you are probably right.

Where are the "advanced" bits again?

Bell 429 Hoist Operations
 

Anyone out there had any experience of conducting hoisting ops with the 429? Specifically, carrying out the hoist cable conditioning procedure using the 600lb test weight?

You could try Priority 1 Air Rescue.

What are you going to hoist, a chicken? I believe that is the most you can carry with enough fuel to fly and someone to operate the hoist.

427/429 differences
 

Does anybody know where to find a simplified list of the differences between the 427 and the 429.

I cannot see that you will be able to get such a list supplied the two airframes are completely different.

The 427 was built along the same lines as the traditional 206/407 airframes merged with the 206LT twin where the 429 was a completely new design concept.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...Weimeng%29.jpg
Bell 429 GlobalRanger B-7788 (cn 57044) belonging to Reignwood Star Aviation as seen in Beijing on 22nd September 2012 (Photo: Weimeng)

A great shame that Bell lost-out on the original 'sleigh-style' undercarriage for this model as they were a nice touch to this aircraft.

Bel 429 skid Trial!
 

Saw a article about it seem they finally win the skid trial in europe side!

Sorry can't remerber where i read it will be try to find the info

Guy

Guy: HeliHub carried this article which I am sure is the one you are referring to but, unless I am mistaken, this only allows Bell to continue using the type of undercarriage you see fitted to Reignwood's 429 above.

My understanding is that Eurocopter won a suit against Bell resulting in the 'sleigh-style' gear being removed from all 429's. However, EC went on to state that the replacement gear (in the photo above) still represented an infringement of their design and which claim I believe is the one which has just been thrown out.

I am skeptical as to whether EC actually conceived the 'sleigh-style' undercarriage as there were several drawings of similar design by other manufacturers which considerably pre-date the 'blueprints' for the Colibri but .. as we know, this is not about who first conceptualised the style .. but who first had it patented!

Wasn't the owner of this the first to use them?

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...uHhxQY_G0AURoQ

429 IGW
 

The Civil Aviation Administration of China approves gross weight increase for Bell 429 | Vertical - Helicopter News

Brazil, India and now China... just missing Russia from the BRIC countries.

Here we go again.

Regulations.gov