Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, has announced that Direccin General de Aeronutica Civil (DGAC) has validated the Bell 429 for operations in Chile. Additionally, DGAC has endorsed the operation of the Bell 429 at 7,500 pounds. This approval, based on Transport Canadas certification, makes Chile the fourteenth country to increase the maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 from 7,000 pounds. The additional 500 pounds of fuel and/or payload allows operators to take advantage of the aircrafts full capabilities.
“Chiles validation of the Bell 429 and endorsement of the gross weight increase enable Bell Helicopter to better serve the multi-mission needs of our customers in Chile, said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice-president of commercial sales and marketing. We are pleased to be able to meet the growing demand for reliable commercial rotorcraft in Chile as the countrys strong economy continues to expand.
Transport Canada approved operation of the Bell 429 7,500 pounds in December, 2011, after conducting an extensive technical evaluation. The increased gross weight of the Bell 429 allows customers to perform longer and heavier missions, taking full advantage of the aircrafts capabilities. To date, the Bell 429 increased gross weight has been approved by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam.
The performance boost of the increased gross weight will allow our customers to fully utilize the capabilities of the Bell 429 to carry more fuel and vital equipment in their various missions across Chiles diverse terrain from the coastal mountains across the central valley to the rugged Andes in the east, said Maldonado.
