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.

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! ;)

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??

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...r/DSC04082.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...r/DSC04077.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...r/DSC04095.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...r/DSC04080.jpg

And also the engineers said that the 429 easily beat the EC-135 in terms of performance especially at hot and higher altitudes

First time I see a conventional tail rotor with so much protection. :ok:

Those skids look a tad on the thin side!? :uhoh:

"And also the engineers said that the 429 easily beat the EC-135 in terms of performance especially at hot and higher altitudes"

What engineers, Bell engineers?:rolleyes:

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!

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 :ugh:

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.

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.

WTF is it with this cockpit seats???
Was The Hunchback from Notre Dame in the design group or what:confused:
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

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. :E

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!!:cool:). 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 :D)

Simon :ok:

Found this only moments after



Simon

All the Bells and Whistles - Vertical Online

By Sir Shawn Coyle

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.

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.

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...

The Bell 429 "should be a winner"?!? Finally Bell dumped this damn butterknife shaped blade design. I hope it's a winner!!!:ok:

Bell 429
 

:ok:Being a happy 407 driver I wish Bell all the best with the 429 programm. Are there any performance charts available yet? :ok:

The charts have not been made public yet. I have seen them and worked out some weights - impressive. Plus they do work in reality, something rare.

Has the MAUW been increased?

Currently max weight internal is 7,000 lbs, and not likely to go beyond that due to certification limits (that's a much as a Part 27 machine can weigh with an internal load).
External max weight is 7,500 pounds, but the additional weight has to be jettisonable.

Just a comment about parts and using parts from older machines.
It's quite common to use parts already approved on another machine as they don't need to undergo an extensive (read $$$) approval process. The company also doesn't need to put in another part number into their supply system. There's less chance of screwing up and getting the wrong part number, and so on.
I remember being slightly shocked when I started work at Bell in 1984 on the model 400 (anyone remember that?) to find out it actually had Bell 47 part numbers. But I quickly understood why.
In the 429, Bell did use a 'clean sheet of paper' approach, and only used older model part numbers where appropriate. It is a new design.

I recall S58 parts in the S61 and some gazelle part in the AS350/355.
wonder as the Blackhawk was entirely funded by US goverment if Sikorsky used many existing parts

Afraid not. The EC 135 has been at 400 hours between inspections for a couple of years now.

Mighty Gem:
Thanks.
I stand corrected.

How significantly do those staggered tail rotor blades reduce the noise signature?

Handbag:
I don't have any definitive numbers, but listening to one of the prototypes fly overhead, it was significantly quieter than other Bell models.

Which we all know is a bit false MG as there are a quite a few supplementary inspections that occur every 100 hours or so:cool:

Bell 429 user experience
 

Any folks able to report real-world experience yet?

Bell 429 , any news
 

The ref to the 429 in the rega thread made me think.

The last serial number noted on TC web site is 57008 , this is now registered in USA along with 57006. I thought they had certification and a full order book.
8 aircraft in 3 years is kinda slow.Any one know what is holding up deliveries.

An article in Aviaiton International News (AIN) on 01 October 2009 showed the following forecast production rates:
Also in that same AIN article:
Has Bell announced the number of converted firm orders still held? (it's been four months since the above article was released)

As of late October the converted LOI total stood at 50 aircraft. The 429's production rate has been trimmed back to 25 aircraft this year and 40-50 in 2011.

I/C

Thanks I/C,
Stunning -- out of 301 LOIs only 50 orders remain!? Has there been an official announcement from Bell (couldn't find that on an internet search)?
21stC

I like to buy some, on US company conditions and on claimed 5M USD price....
Any offers please? :E

21stC - not yet, but the numbers are legit.

I/C

Bell say they are working on converting another 50 LoIs on top of the 50 that Ian Corrigible mentions. It's a slow start, but if they keep the faith...:}

Looking at the economy over the last 18 months, and the cancellations and deferrals of every aviation manufacturer that I have seen numbers on, I suspect the shrinking of the order book has little to do with the 429, and a lot to do with the financial issues faced by the 429's customers.

While I personally wouldn't be thrilled with owning one of the first 50 serial numbers of any new helicopter or turbojet, I have a buddy with a bunch of time in the 429 and he says it is an incredible performer -- as in 4,000 fpm climb.