2013 APRIL / Vol. 5 / No. 4 /
GA
39
machine. The US hopes to reduce
its federal budget by US$1.2 trillion
between 2013 and 2021. The amount
would be split between defense
and non-defense spending.
In 2012 Bell received a setback
related an exemption to operate
the 429 outside of the normal
category Part 29 weight limit of
7,000lbs. Although exempted by
some countries, the FAA turned the
request down, which means the 429 is
compromised in the important EMS
market and is only able to fly as a
Part 29 aircraft which calls for stricter
transport category requirements. The
denial pleased both Eurocopter and
Sikorsky who claimed it would give
Bell an unfair market advantage.
Bell's 429 has been a key part
of the company's move away from
traditional technology although it
continues to develop its 407 with
both commercial examples and a low
cost military derivative on display at
Heli-Expo. 429 weight issues aside,
Bell was able to use the exhibition
to announce a significant sale of
2 407 and six 206L-4 helicopters
to Air Medical Group Holdings
(AMGH). The company is the largest
operator of EMS helicopters in the
world and has over 100 medical-
equipped Bell LongRangers in its
fleet. Deliveries will begin this year
and continue through to 2018.
Although largely missed
by industry observers, Bell also
used Heli-Expo to announce the
appointment of its first 'official'
Russian representative, Helidrive.
Bell confirmed it had recently sold
five new helicopters into the region
with a number going to both VIP
operators as well as EMS providers.
With Enstrom now falling under
Chinese ownership, it seems that
light helicopter manufacturers have
also been enjoying success during
2012 and 2013. Robinson completed
517 machines in 2012. Of those
286 were R44s, 191 turbine R66s
and 40 R22s. 70-per cent were
delivered to international operators
and the numbers represented a
70-per cent increase over 2011.
The factory is currently turning out
12 new helicopters per week with
a workforce of 1300 personnel.
Agusta Westland released
photographs of its Project Zero
tilt rotor technology demonstrator
(more details on page 36).
AgustaWestland exhibited a
AW139M for the first time ever. It was
manufactured at their Philadelphia
plant. This military variant of the best
selling AW139 offers a civil-certified
commercial off-the-shelf solution for
those military operators who intend
to access the benefits of a dual use
civil certified aircraft optimized for
a range of military applications.
The AW139M has already found
market success with an order for ten
units by the Italian Air Force which
has already taken delivery and put
into service most of them for SAR
missions. The AW139, however, has
various military customers worldwide
performing a range of missions
including homeland security, SAR,
special operations, law enforcement,
utility, coastal and border patrol and
MEDEVAC these include Ireland,
UAE, Qatar, Egypt to name a few.
Almost all exhibitors left Las
Vegas on a positive note with many
believing that despite predicted US
government budget cuts, the industry
is finally returning to a level of
prosperity it hasn't seen for almost five
years. Driven by a trend to modernize
the worldwide oil and gas operator
fleet, the major manufacturers see
continued good news on the horizon.·
Left: The Sikorsky S-92®
fleet of medium-lift
helicopter has surpassed
250,000 flight hours.
Right: Sikorsky S-76A over
New York City bridge.
- pic Sikorsky/
AW139M landing at the
convention centre
Above right: AgustaWestland
AW139M landing
at Heli-Expo 2013
convention centre
Above middle: Eurocopter EC-145
Above left: Bell is now offering
a retractable gear
version of their 429