©BELL HELICOPTER

Bell Helicopter will take advantage of the upward movement of the recovering market by making significant improvements to the Bell 412, to make it more appealing. « We felt it was crucial to quickly offer an operational aircraft on the market to take advantage of the recovery, » said Ernie Senn,  product manager for the Bell 412 program. The two major enhancements that Bell Helicopter will bring to the Bell 412 should be ready starting in 2012. The first improvement concerns a large increase in engine power and improved high altitude and  hot weather performances. This project will be accomplished in partnership with the engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada. The second improvement will involve the installation of modern technological equipment in the cockpit. Bell Helicopter will offer its customers the same kind of equipment already installed on the Bell 429. The cockpits of the two helicopters will have many similarities, which will facilitate pilot and mechanic training. Bell Helicopter will provide these enhancements for customers who already have the Bell 412 as well as those who want to purchase new aircraft. A subsidiary of Bell Helicopter in Tennessee, not the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada factory in Mirabel, is designing these improvements, indicated Senn. However, if Bell Helicopter’s initiative pays off and if the popularity of the Bell 412 grows, the Mirabel plant will benefit. (Source: Les Affaires)