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Type (Muster)
Light twin-turbine multi-purpose helicopter
Country (Land)
USA
Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Bell Helicopter
PO Box 482
Fort Worth, Texas 76101
USA
Phone: 001-817/280-2800
Fax: 001-817/280-3631
Internet: http://www.bellhelicopter.com
Bell is partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (Japan) in this programme.
General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 - 2
Passengers (Passagiere): 7 - 8, or two litters plus two medical attendants. Basic configuration is six seats (15,5 inch wide) in the cabin, either in club or airline configuration.
Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D turboshafts with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Electronic Control)
Take-off power (Startleistung): 2 x 529 kW (710 shp) for five minutes, or 466 kW max. continuous (Dauerleistung) or 611 kW for 30 sec emergency.
Transmission rated at 485 kW for 30 second emergency or 597 kW for take-off.
Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 12,17 m
Width over skids (Breite über Kufen): 2,36 m
Height (Höhe): 4,04 m to top of rotor
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 5,66 cu m
Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 1950 kg
Useful load (Zuladung): 1225 kg
Max. external load (max. Außenlast): 1271 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 814 litres (215 US gallons). Auxiliary fuel tank in the baggage compartment for 150 litres (40 US gallons)
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 3175 kg
Performance (Flugleistungen)
Maximum cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 264 km/h (142 kts) with skids or 273 km/h with wheel gear
Hover ceiling OGE (Schwebeflughöhe ohne Bodeneffekt): 2835 m ISA
Hover ceiling IGE (Schwegeflughöhe mit Bodeneffekt): 3658 m (12000 ft) at ISA
Max. range (max. Reichweite): 648 km (350 NM)
Endurance (Flugdauer): 2.25 h at cruise speed
Costs (Kosten)
A base price of 3,95 million US-Dollars war mentioned at the presentation of the 429 during Heli-Expo 2005 in Anaheim, California.
Korea Aerospace Industries is investing 26 million US-Dollars in its development contribution.
Customers (Kunden)
In September 2007, Bell reported an order backlog of over 200 aircraft.
At the Farnborough Air Show in July 2006, Bell claimed 213 orders for the Model 429.
By February 2006, more than 150 orders had been gathered. At the NBAA in Orlando in November 2005, Bell said orders had reached 136. In mid-February 2005, orders for the Bell 429 stood at 110. Approximately 80 of those were converted 427i orders. Known customers are:
- Air Methods: 15. Announced in July 2004, for delivery from 2007. Includes a trade in option for the companies Bell 222s.
- Hakwer Pacific: 7. The independent dealer ordered one in 2005 and 6 in early 2006 for onward sale to customers in Australasia.
- CJ Systems Aviation Group: 10 + 10 options. Announced in February 2006 for EMS use
Competitors (Konkurrenz)
AgustaWestland A109 Grand
Eurocopter EC135
MD Helicopters Explorer
Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Bell 429 is based on the slow-selling 427, but incorporates many changes demanded by the customers. Bell claimed it had introduced new MAPL technologies (Modular Affordable Product Line) into the design.
The 429 incorporates advanced technologies developed under Bell's Modular Affordable Product Line (MAPL) Program to include advanced M/R blades, Aircraft Data Interface Unit (ADIU), autopilot and hydraulics. The 429 brought the use of MAPL technologies forward three years from initial target.
The most important change is a cabin with much increased space (70 per cent more than the Bell 427) and convenience, including clamshell rear doors and flat floor. Bell thus catches up with what rivals were offering for years.
There is also a state-of-the art glass cockpit (three large LCDs from Rogerson Kratos) with integrated BasiX avionics system for single-pilot IFR capability. Equipment includes a fully coupled 3-axis autopilot and dual hydraulic system in all three axes.
New rotor technology with variable RPM should offer decreased noise. The rotor blades feature composite construction and new aerodynamics.
Also, a four-blade X-shape tail rotor promises noise improvements.
Canadian TCAA, US FAA and European EASA certification will be to the latest amendments.
The Bell 429 will be assembled in Canada. Korea Aerospace is designing and building the airframe (sole source), cabin wiring and fuel systems. KAI has the right to sell and assemble the 429 helicopters for the Korea and China markets.
History (Geschichte)
With the 427 selling quite slowly, Bell announced a 427i with IFR capabilities at Heli-Expo 2004 (March 2004) in Las Vegas and also showed a mockup at its stand. That was a minimum-change derivative of the 427, scheduled to enter service in 2006.
Later in the year it changed its mind and decided to go for a much more radical upgrade with a completely new cabin layout and airframe as well as a new tail rotor.
On 19 June 2004, Bell signed a cooperation deal with Korea Aerospace Industries for the 427i. Earlier in the month, Mitsui Bussan Aerospace of Japan had signed on as partner. At that time, Bell claimed 42 orders for the new model.
In July 2004, Air Methods was designated the launch customer for the 427i, with 15 to be delivered from 2007.
The newly redesignated Bell 429 light twin was revealed on 6 February 2005 at ceremonies held at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California. A large crowd watched as two complete mock-ups, one corporate and one EMS version, were revealed from behind lighted screening and accompanied by much fanfare and music.
Plans outlined at Heli-Expo 2005 called for the first Bell 429 to fly in early 2006. Transport Canada and FAA certification should be obtained in early 2007, with EASA certification 9 months later.
By the summer of 2005, testbeds were flying various components of the 429 technology.
In early November 2005, Bell reported that development was proceeding. It had successfully completed concept demonstration tests, wind tunnel tests and inlet and exhaust testing. Detail design was near completion and parts and tooling were being built to construct the first prototype. The schedule had slipped, with TCA and FAA certification now expected to be in the third quarter of 2007. First flight of the 429 airframe had been rescheduled for the 3rd quarter of 2006.
On 20 February 2006, Bell Helicopter announced it had executed a Memorandum of Agreement with Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) to begin the production efforts for airframes for the Bell 429. The agreement was projected to cover all Bell 429 airframes for the next 10 years, which is estimated to be over $150 million. Bell and KAI intended to work toward the execution of a more definitive Supply Agreement over the next few months.
By February 2006, Bell said that the First Production Flight of the helicopter is planned in February 2007, and the first delivery to the customer is expected during the fourth quarter 2007.
On 28 February 2006, development of the 429 passed a significant milestone at its Mirabel, Canada facility, when its new high performance main rotor system flew for the first time. Bill Stromberg, 429 Program Director said, "During this past year we have successfully completed the evaluation of an improved engine, intake, exhaust, tail rotor control cables, autopilot, aircraft data interface unit, and now the main rotor system. This is the sixth and final major new system to be demonstrated before the 429's first flight later this year. After two hours of ground testing the blades were successfully flown for 30 minutes," said Stromberg. Flight testing of the rotor will continue for the next 2 months in various locations in Canada to demonstrate stable operation at altitudes to 20,000 ft and down to -40 degrees Centigrade.
In October 2006, Bell reported that systems installation is progressing well on the 429 test aircraft No. 1, including wiring, fuel system, heating and power distribution. First flight was targeted for later in 2006.
The Bell 429 GlobalRanger light twin-engine helicopter made its first two flights on 27 February 2006 at the Mirabel plant in Quebec. The two test pilots focused on controllability and synchronization. According to executive director of commercial programme management Bill Stromberg, the helicopter hovered in ground effect at about 15 feet and also maneuvered in all directions at 30 to 40 feet. “The chief mechanic told us all he was hearing was blowers and engines,” Stromberg said at the Heli-Expo show a few days later, noting the aircraft's quietness. “It's well harmonized between the cyclic, collective and control pedals.”
On 28 February 2007 it was announced that Placeteco Inc. will be designing and manufacturing the interior of the Bell Model 429 GlobalRanger. Evaluated at $2.5M, this mandate was for a five-year period and should provide employment to some 50 workers.
In late March 2007, Bell said that the performance of the 429 had been "very stable and predictable, "and is exactly what you want as you continue to expand the test envelope. Production rotor blades have replaced the prototype blades that flew on the first flight, and ground runs were completed last weekend with the new blades. In addition to the production rotor blades, new software had also been loaded into the helicopter.
By the time of the Paris Air Show in mid-June 2007, Bell said it anticipates to achieve certification on or before September 2008. Milestones accomplished on the 429 program included: envelope expansion up to 20,000 feet; high gross weight configuration in both forward and aft CG (center of gravity) configuration is complete; achieved flight speeds of about 200 mph; strength and stability of the Modular Affordable Product Line (MAPL) landing gear demonstrated and certified; landing and take-off on slopes achieved and autorotation testing is under way.
The second Bell 429 made its maiden flight on 27 August 2007. At that time, Bell was “rapidly closing in on a final configuration”
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