PPRuNe Forums - Bell 429

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)

- Rotorheads (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/)

- - Bell 429 (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/190640-bell-429-a.html)

That was very well put USMC HELO, looks like you left Tottigol speachless. Well done! :ok:

Quote:

trend indications?

Please explain to this foreigner.http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...s/embarass.gif

Its an indication on the display that lets you know when a certain value is changing like "oil pressure rising". This way you might be able to focus on a problem that is still developing and not being warned when things have already gone wrong...

Probably mostly useful on longer flights when alertness is low and regular instrument cross checks are forgotten.

No he didn't Yhelico, I am on vacation in the Caribbeans and I only occasionally check the web for what I am interested on.
I'd say call me back when:
1) Bell solves the weight problem.
2) Bell gets more than 15 429s registered in the USA working on EMS contracts.

I may be retired by then.

Facts, not words.

Bye for now, I am enjoying the vacation.

Info update please

Ref the B429 and if Shawn Coyle or any other 'in the know' bod is on thread just now .... tomorrow I'm doing an air test and write-up for our UK 'BLADES' journal and would like to add a note on the the 'wheels' position.

??? Are these on the factory list for production ... ever or never.
Secondly - is the PATS T/R totally dead & buried.
And if anyone has the info, and apart from Air Methods - are there any further machines now actually in service. HEMS or whatever.

Thanks in advance and I hope I enjoy the ride as much as Shawn.

Dennis Kenyon

Georgina HJ and I were in the aircraft Monday and as I guess the Bell pilot will confirm...

Wheels in the fullness of time, seems there are a number of 'future' scenarios where wheels will be unavoidable.

PATS Tail rotor unlikely in the short term as the current one has extremely good 'bite' and [my reading on this] why get something that might not have such grip on the environment [in the short or long term].... There are no systems out there that serve demonstrate that a PATS type anti-torque system is an outright customer winner.

I have no comment on the other question, that will need an American input.

Dennis:
My spies tell me little is being done on the wheels option.
Enjoy the flight! (I'm in the UK at the moment)

I believe nine are delivered ex factory all for EMS operators but only one is in service. The others are presumably in some stage of the completion process

Dennis, check out the fuel consumption towards max speed as I hear it is poor. Just the typical speeds EMS operators would use

s/n 15 and 16 are on the Canadian register ( presume in final production flight test ) also another 6 on Canadian register registered to Bell. S/n 6 and 8 on US register to Air methods and Mitsui Busan , Other 7 in US all registered to Bell. Anyone know the s.n of the demonstrator ( or N number ).
Are the EMS mods being done by Edwards ?

The demonstrator currently doing the rounds in the UK is the 'European' demonstrator which has graced Prague, Germany, Farnborough in recent weeks C-FTNB which a quick search tells me is 57002.

When Bell only had the original red and blue 429's flying from Mirabel, the blue one passed about 2-3 nm from me when I was in an R44 just South of MTL.

Dennis K was meant to conduct his review of the 429 today. Hope it went well!

http://cdn-www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/aviati.../5/1748544.jpg

C-FTNB Bell 429 GlobalRanger in flight over the Alps
23 June 2010

Ok, Let's see,

One demo in Europe, one demo in Japan, one in Texas at the Bell school, one in DesMoines doing EMS and a bunch being customized all over the place.

Should have a pretty good population by year end :ok:

Just got confirmation from friend high up in Bell that Mercy one is the only 429 in operation at the moment but more being delivered to customers later this year, both in the USA and overseas.

Ned

Bell 429 Photo Montage

Two 429's going to Delhi, one in late 2010 and one in early 2011..

Is it a trick of the light or are there significant soot deposits on 57003 and 54802, funny the other 2 light coloured ones look clean . I must say though it is a nice looking helicopter , not sure what it is about the shape of the Bell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotor George (Post 5836031)

Here's a photo montage of a few.

The skid design seems to have changed from the original 3 machines to the newer aircraft. Does anybody know why this might be?

I heard something that the skidgear design violates some Euroc***
patents.
The changed skidgear design looks not very smart on the 429.

Gotta agree with Matt82, the skid gear with 'toes' sticking out totally sucks!

But, when we first saw the connected 'loop' design on the Colibiri this wasn't a Eurocopter innovation ... Hughes originally came up with this configuration for the Explorer in a 'double loop' (paperclip) style. Quite why they didn't put it into production I don't know!

Montage update. Added N429NA in it's gorgeous new paint scheme.:ok:

Flew one today at Blackbushe, awesome aircraft and beats the opposition hands down imo!

Tell us more, please, Basher.
Why does it beat the opposition and in what role(s)?

I had a fly of N10984 today here in NSW, Australia for about 20 mins.

Very nice ship.....and alot bigger in real life!!:ok:

Any idea if the 429 will be venturing down as low as Adelaide? would love some pics of it

I like it, I was always a fan of the 427, and this seems to be very well built

Simon :ok:

Gold Coast - Australia, today.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...otos/429-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...otos/429-5.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...otos/429-2.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...hotos/4293.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/...otos/429-4.jpg

Nice helicopter. OEI performance is pretty good. Very roomy, nice ride in the back, fast, well thought out. Rep said they are addressing the weight issues. Very pilot friendly.

In the fourth image, the 429's IAS on the PFD shows 46/47kt yet the 'steam gauge' shows closer to 55kt. Is there a simple explanation for such a discrepancy? I realise there are dual pitot-static tubes on the nose - do they feed the instruments separately and thus account for the difference?

Just wondering for curiosity's sake and my own education!

Where's the "ball"

If you are correct about the pitot's (one on each side) there could be a discrepancy with the ball out to the left. Could be paralex (spell) error?

I'd noticed the slip ball being off centre but wasn't sure how much that might effect the pitot airflow/readings - the discrepancy is around 15% at this flight configuration. I also realise that the pitot/IAS isn't overly accurate at low speeds but had always thought this was sub-30kt.

Having recently read (and re-read) Shawn Coyle's "Torque Talk" article on the Vertical website about the slip ball, I am as confused as ever about its true function! NB This is not a comment on the author's writing ability but merely my level of comprehension!

If it is parallax error, I assume that would therefore mean that the glass has a common input from one pitot and the 'steam gauge' the other?

helidsw:
The other reader has been found!!!

Slip or Get Off The Ball

Excellent read BTW. :ok:

Shawn - I am proud and more than a little humbled to be your other reader!

At the risk of drifting (or should that be slipping?) from the thread... When flying a machine with a slip string in addition to a slip ball, which would you recommend is used? Is it trial and error, as in the case of the Swiss Alouette, or is there a more 'scientific' method?

Simon

helidsw:
Let's start a new thread on that...

429 WAAS 9 degree LPV

Bell Helicopter certifies industry leading Wide Area Augmentation System capability

Quote:

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 7, 2010) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company is pleased to announce the introduction of a best in class certification of precision Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) enabled glide path capability on the Bell 429.

The Bell 429 is the only helicopter available in the market with this technology certified for 9 degree localizer precision with vertical guidance (LPV) approaches at a minimum velocity for instrument procedures (Vmini) of 45 knots. Such a low minimum velocity allows for the Bell 429 to fly LPV procedures in steep approach conditions.

Using a modernized cockpit layout and navigation solutions the Bell WAAS capability, as demonstrated on the Bell 429, increases helicopter safety, mission efficiency and environmental sensitivity, while reducing precision approach limitations and associated operational costs. Many flights are grounded annually due to poor weather conditions, the WAAS capability allows for point-in-space approaches as low as 250 foot visibility, increasing operational mission time for Bell 429 customers.

Presenting a best in class navigational capability, Bell's 429 WAAS implementation changes the helicopter operating environment, allowing for the creation of a safer rotorcraft IFR system, providing a platform to put those capabilities to use and allowing for precision approaches in low altitude, urban areas.

Designed, developed, implemented and tested by a government industry partnership led by Bell Helicopter, the continuing airspace infrastructure project will facilitate the creation of public use rotorcraft solutions and provide a solid framework for additional next generation national airspace developments.

The Bell Helicopter led team includes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Program Office, the FAA Flight Standards Organization, Hickok and Associates, Air Methods Corporation, and the Mercy Medical Team.

"It is because of this collaboration we are able to provide the helicopter industry and our customers with innovative solutions that exceed their mission requirements," said Nick Lappos, Bell Helicopter chief technology officer. "It is only fitting that this capability be available exclusively on the world's most advanced light twin helicopter, the 429."

Bell's WAAS technologies include glide path angles certified to 9 degrees at speeds of 45 knots, allowing 429 customers to operate their aircraft at a safer altitude, avoid obstacles and descend precisely to their landing site.

"Bell's 429 will now be equipped with cutting edge, state-of-the-art navigational technology and LPV capability," said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president, commercial business. "The 429 is the only helicopter in its class capable of performing fully coupled four axis auto-pilot LPV approaches, this is a significant development and capability."

This technology is available immediately on all new Bell 429s delivered out of the Bell Helicopter Mirabel, Canada facility. Bell Helicopter is exploring the use of this technology on additional Bell aircraft.

"WAAS technologies, when combined with the 429, provide all operators engaged in IFR operations a vehicle to complete missions that were unthinkable in the past. This total aircraft solution will increase the number of missions that are flown and ultimately save more lives," said Roberts.

First Order for Bell 429 in China

Bell Helicopter Scores First Order for Bell 429 in China
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - Bell Helicopter

ZHUHAI, CHINA (September 15, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has received its first 429 customer order in the People’s Republic of China. The order was confirmed during the Bell 429 demonstration tour in Zhuhai, China on September 15, 2010.

Sold to Mr. Ren Jianjun, a prominent industrialist from Hebei province, this is the first Bell 429 scheduled for delivery in China. Mr. Ren, an aviation enthusiast and pilot, also owns and operates a Bell 206B-3 JetRanger.

Helping facilitate the purchase of the aircraft was Heliflite China. Headquartered with maintenance facilities in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, Heliflite China provides customers with purchasing support and operational assistance.

“The Bell 429 was designed with a global mission scope, and is particularly well suited for the multi-mission roles in the Asia Pacific region, and in particular, China,” said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business. “The 429 is truly a new force in the marketplace and will appeal to the discerning customer who is interested in reliability, performance and maintenance-cost containment. We are honored to partner with Mr. Ren and bring the first 429 to the People’s Republic of China.”

Customer response to the 429 has been very positive and interest continues to build among potential buyers for its use in private operations, corporate transport and utility missions, emergency medical services and for civil government agencies.

With its superior Category A capability, speed and versatility, spacious cabin, excellent maintainability, and hot and high performance, the 429 sets the standard for 21st century aircraft. The Bell 429 meets the latest requirements of Part 27 airworthiness rules, set in 2007, which are more stringent than the requirements, set a decade or more ago, under which competing light twins were certified.

Designed using the Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) process, the 429 is the only helicopter flying whose maintenance program is approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada.

In August, the Bell 429 continued its world tour in the Asia Pacific region with customer demonstrations in Australia, Hong Kong and China. More than 1,500 customers have experienced the 429's speed, performance and spacious cabin firsthand during the world tour, which is scheduled to continue later this year in Africa and the Middle East.

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at Textron Home <http://www.textron.com/> .

http://www.bellhelicopter.com <http://www.bellhelicopter.com>

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Post Office Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101-0482

Press Contact:
Bridget Hall
817-280-7963 (office) or 817-964-0334 (mobile)
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

I have not flown it yet, but have had the cockpit tour with the demonstrator pilot. It is well thought out and I would love to fly it as my works machine. Downside, the range figures quoted are all calculated at well below cruise speeds that we would use. Fuel burn is a little suprising :ooh: once you crank up the speed. Pity, I would like one.....

WTF round dials??

Please tell me that you can order one with strip instruments instead of archaic round ALT/ASI. I understand that many out there have a serious RC factor but please give those who have embraced the future the choice.

I am also exposed to both tapes and dials, as I'm sure you are norwyreq, and I personally prefer dials. I find them easier to read quickly during the scan because I feel that I get a better quality of information from them......... just my personal preference.

A second 429 for the Canadian market

And another one soon in the TO area.:ok:

"A second 429 for the Canadian market is expected to be delivered to another private operator in the Toronto area by the end of September."