Appreciating Our BTA Instructors

The Bell Training Academy provides unparalleled training to the best of the best, offering a variety of technical, flight and operations learning experiences. We have a wide array of talented instructors, dedicated to educating customers on the complex world of rotorcraft maintenance and operations, which is why it’s only fitting that we celebrate these hardworking instructors during Teacher Appreciation Week.

We took the time to interview a few Bell instructors to see why they love what they do:

Ronnie Allen, Technical Instructor

My name is Ron Allen. I am a Technical Instructor at the Bell Training Academy.  I provide in-depth Electrical, Avionics and Autopilot theoretical and practical training on Bell 429, 407/407GX, 505 and 206 aircraft.  We teach regulated and non-regulated training at the Bell Training Academy, and also offsite at customer locations around the world.

What is the best part about teaching at the Bell Training Academy? 

The best part about teaching is watching the customer’s growth from a curious and eager student on the first day of class to a competent and experienced technician on the final day of class and knowing we are making a significant and important impact in the aviation community. We have a saying at the academy, “We train the world.”

What is your favorite new Bell value and why? 

My favorite new Bell value is “Thrill our Customers.” Customers are our business. New students arrive weekly at the academy, and we are in direct contact daily. It is our top priority to deliver exceptional training experiences to our customers that will thrill them today and tomorrow.

Billy Shue, Technical Instructor

My name is Billy Shue, I am a Technical Instructor for Bell Training Academy. My mission is to use my experience, as a helicopter maintenance technician, to provide students with innovative, world-class training that will enhance their ability to safely and efficiently troubleshoot, inspect, and perform or supervise maintenance on all of Bell’s light model helicopters.

What is the best part about teaching at the Bell Training Academy? 

The best part about teaching at the Bell Training Academy is the opportunity it gives me to talk with all the different types of owners, operators, and technicians that maintain our products.

What is your favorite new Bell value and why?

Thrill Our Customers. At the Bell Training Academy, we make it a priority to thrill our customers. We are always staying a step ahead, finding better ways to deliver an exceptional training experience to our students.  

Thank you to all our talented instructors for continuing to instill passion for rotorcraft aviation in others and carrying on the Bell legacy.

AIR ZERMATT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF OPERATIONS WITH NEW BELL 429 DELIVERY

Zermatt, Switzerland (19 May 2018) – Notable transportation and rescue company, Air Zermatt, commemorates 50 years of high mountain operations in the Swiss Alps and celebrates the delivery of a new Bell 429 aircraft. The aviation organization maintains a close relationship with Bell. Its fleet consists of two Bell 429 aircraft.

“There is no better way for us to celebrate such a significant milestone than with an exciting addition to our fleet,” said Gerold Biner, CEO, Air Zermatt. “This Bell 429 is truly customer designed and has incredible performance, especially in the tough terrain of the Swiss Alps. Bell continuously surpasses our expectations in terms of products and customer care, and we are thrilled to receive another beautiful aircraft.”

“We are delighted that after five years of Bell 429 operations, where the aircraft proved its incredible performance in one of the most demanding missions in the world, Air Zermatt chose the aircraft again for its long term twin-engine needs,” said Patrick Moulay, senior vice president, Commercial Business – International, Bell. “This speaks to the incredible trust our customers have in Bell aircraft performance and customer support.”

Air Zermatt utilizes the Customer Advantage Plan (CAP) Premier program for simple and straightforward maintenance cost plans. The plans provide customers with budget certainty, access to Bell’s rotable pool of parts and competitive rates when using a Bell authorized service center, which are available worldwide. To uphold their high safety standards, Air Zermatt’s flight crew train on the Bell Valencia 429 Full Flight Simulator to continuously enhance their knowledge and capabilities of the Bell 429. 

With the optimal design for passenger mobility and healthcare emergency services, the Bell 429 has the most cabin space in the light twin helicopter market, with flat flooring and seven passenger seating. This cabin can also comfortably fit two litter carriers, another feature significant to the Bell 429. Its 60-inch wide side doors and optional rear clam-shell doors allow for quick and easy passenger and patient ingress and egress. The state-of-the-art technology in the Bell 429 includes a fully integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system, best-in-class WAAS/ SBAS navigation and IFR capability. 

To see Air Zermatt’s Bell 429 in action, watch Red Bull TV's series, The Horn.

EDIC HORIZON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY SIGNS FOR TWO BELL 429S

FLIGHT TRAINING FACILITY EXPANDS SERVICES TO INCLUDE TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT

03 May 2018

United Arab Emirates (May 2, 2018) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company announced a signature from EDIC Horizon International Flight Academy to purchase two Bell 429 aircraft. Based at Al Ain International Airport, EDIC Horizon International Flight Academy utilizes their fleet of entirely Bell aircraft to provide unparalleled flight training to a variety of international students.

“We are thrilled to add the Bell 429 to our flight training fleet,” said Hareb Thani Al Dhaheri, CEO, Horizon International Flight Academy. “Bell aircraft has been an essential part of our operations since our creation, and this purchase marks the expansion of our services. The Bell 429 will be utilized for ATP, Instrument, multi-engine and specialized mission training.”

-Hareb Thani Al Dhaheri, CEO, Horizon International Flight Academy. 

“EDIC Horizon International Flight Academy sets the precedent for excellent training services in the Middle East” said David Sale, managing sales director, MEA. “We are honored that they continue to choose Bell aircraft for their operations, and our team looks forward to introducing one of our smoothest aircraft to their staff and students.”

-David Sale, managing sales director, MEA, Bell
With the lowest vibrations in its class, the Bell 429 meets or exceeds today’s airworthiness requirements to enhance occupant safety, with the adaptability to remain at the forefront as mission needs evolve. The use of metallic and composite parts in its construction creates the perfect balance between rigidity and flexibility, safety and durability. An advanced avionics and systems monitoring suite ensures outstanding maintainability and aircraft readiness.

Navigating Through High Winds and Icy Mountains, Air Zermatt Puts Its Bell 429 To The Test

Search and Rescue team, Air Zermatt performs high mountain rescue all year round in a picturesque yet extremely demanding environment: the Swiss Alps. They operate one the most recognizable Bell 429's, a bright red aircraft that stands out beautifully against a snowy backdrop. To add to their fleet, the team has purchased another Bell 429, expected to be delivered next year. This delivery will arrive right on time for Air Zermatt's 50th anniversary in May.

The aircraft is configured for day and night operations and equipped with EMS tools, NVG, hoist and a HEC dual cargo hook. This customer will be on the Customer Advantage Plan Premier contract where they will receive a fixed cost per flight hour service option that protects customers' budgets and their aircraft, and increases aircraft availability at rates competitive to published direct maintenance costs. Bell will also train Air Zermatt pilots to operate the Bell Valencia 429 Full Flight Simulator Level D.

The Bell 429 has more cabin space than any other light twin helicopter on the market, with flat flooring and seating for seven passengers and one flight crew. The space enables passenger mobility and room for healthcare emergency services. When time is of the essence in the series, the Bell 429's 60-inch wide side doors and optional rear clam-shell doors provide quick and easy access. The state-of-the-art technology in the Bell 429 includes a fully integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system, best-in-class WAAS/ SBAS navigation and IFR capability.

Due to our iconic and bold customer, the Bell 429 solidifies its position as the premier helicopter for mountain rescue. To see Air Zermatt and the Bell 429 in action, watch Red Bull TV's series, The Horn.

Bell Helicopter.

Here's Why Jet Owners Need a Helicopter, Bell Flight

Helicopters are extremely versatile aircraft that complete extraordinary operations each day. From assisting with executive travel to rescuing people stranded in oceans and mountains, there are many missions that require the use of vertical lift aircraft.

They are also excellent forms of private and corporate travel. Owners rely on jets for fast travel to important events to save time and increase efficiency. While fixed-wing aircraft is essential for long-distance trips, adding a helicopter to a corporate or personal flight department will provide the following benefits:

- Security and Privacy: Helicopters enable passengers to work and converse in private, eliminating chances for eavesdropping and decreasing passenger visibility. This method of travel is ideal for protecting confidentiality.

- Accessibility to Limited Areas: Jets require runways, which are not always available. Helicopters reach certain locations that are not accessible with fixed-wing aircraft. Having a helicopter will ensure that no location is unreachable. Not to mention that helicopters can land in backyards, near stadiums or on rooftops taking you directly to your destination as opposed to solely an airport.

- Saves Time and Achieves Goals: Take a lesson from professional NASCAR driver Kurt Busch who used Bell helicopters to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. He used a Bell 407 to fly from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to his jet, which took him to Concord, North Carolina where he flew in a Bell 429 from the airport to the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. By successfully racing in both races and becoming the fourth NASCAR driver in history to achieve this feat, he proved that important goals can be reached when using a helicopter during a limited time frame. Not everyone will become one of the few drivers to compete in two races, but helicopter owners will save time they need to reach significant milestones and make great things happen, either in business or in life.

- Saving Money - Always a Bonus: If you travel frequently, either for business or personal travel, the productivity and cost savings of utilizing a helicopter will benefit you. Figuring how much time you and your colleagues spend on commercial airlines, purchasing a helicopter will save you money in the long run, not to mention the convenience of reaching your destination in about a third of the time. View the chart below to see how much your business can save with a helicopter purchase.

If colleagues are flying from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, traveling in a Bell helicopter could save them over $38,000 in time saved. Also, the passengers can continue to work or even host a meeting during flight increasing productivity compared to commercial travel, resulting in 61.6 productivity hours.

Bell Helicopter delivers top of the line products to our customers and ensures that every ride is efficient, comfortable and safe. Our products are designed to complement all business and personal needs and offer convenience and comfort to every passenger.

For all jet owners, the only choice to make now is to find out which Bell helicopter suits your needs. Click the links below for more information on each product:

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X: Soon appear in nearly every corner of the world, this is the aircraft needed for a budget friendly, yet fast helicopter travel. The 505 fits four passengers comfortably and can be configured to accommodate VIP passengers, owners and operators. Need a quick ride to the airport to meet your jet? This is the helicopter for you.

Bell 407 GXP: The 407 GXP has a corporate interior and is exceptionally quiet during flight. Six passengers can comfortably fit inside the aircraft and experience the smoothest ride in its class. 

Bell 429: Always a photo-favorite, this visually stunning helicopter includes a spacious cabin that fits up to seven passengers and combines sleek exterior lines and meticulously crafted interiors for a comfortable in-flight experience.

Bell 525 Relentless: When traveling with your business team, family or with a group of friends, the 525 accommodates large groups with comfortable, luxurious spacing and low noise. Seating up to 20 passengers, depending on your needs, the 525 can also be outfitted with the most luxurious cabin interior on the market today, the Mecaer VVIP interior, deluxe seating that sets the 525 apart from any other VIP aircraft.

Nakanihon Air Service: Japanese Aviation Company Meeting All Your Aerial Needs

BELL 429

Operating from Nagoya Airport for 65 years, Nakanihon Air Service (NAS) provides a very broad scope of aviation services ranging from charter flights to goods transportation, medevac, aerial survey and photography. In addition, NAS can provide solutions for all your aerial needs, such as aircraft repair and maintenance including the helicopters manufactured by Bell.

NAS recently purchased two Bell 429s for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), where they will transport doctors and nurses to emergency sites quickly with various medical equipment. Bell 429 is a popular choice for HEMS because of its spacious cabin that accommodates two medical litters. The head of NAS pilot training department, Yoshiaki Ogino, agrees that Bell 429 is the perfect choice for their missions. “Some of my colleagues said, ‘Bell 429 realizes very smooth flight and passengers feel almost no vibration,’ and ‘It is much more comfortable compared with the other Bell helicopters we have had,’” said Ogino. “Comments from pilots are quite important because they have a lot of experience with helicopter operation.”

One of the Bell 429’s biggest assets are the low vibrations during flight, allowing for passengers to experience extremely smooth ride. Ogino says that the comfortable ride will enable doctors and nurses to focus more on their work without worrying about the unsteadiness of the aircraft. The smooth ride also eliminates any chances of passengers getting ill from unsettling movements.