Federal investment of $49.5 million will support next-generation helicopter technologies and create or maintain 300 middle-class jobs

[This is a featured repost from another press release by the Government of Canada]

April 16, 2018 – Montréal, Quebec – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. 

The Government of Canada is investing in Canada’s aerospace sector to advance innovation and create well-paying middle-class jobs.

Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced an investment of $49.5 million in an aerospace consortium led by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. Minister Bains made the announcement during Aéro-Montréal’s Aerospace Innovation Forum.

The funding will help Bell and 18 industry and academic partners develop innovative technologies to be integrated into next-generation helicopters, which can fly with or without a crew on board, and fully autonomous aerial systems. Other innovations include technologies to make aircraft more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable as well as technology to reduce noise pollution—the first of its kind on any aircraft.

The collaboration is projected to create or maintain more than 300 jobs in Canada, contribute almost $178 million to Canada’s GDP over the next five years and strengthen Canada’s position as a world-leading centre for innovation.

The 18 industry and academic partners include Pratt & Whitney Canada, CMC Electronics, Esterline Technologies Corporation, several small and medium-sized businesses, and nine Canadian universities. Bell and its partners are investing more than $125 million in Canada’s aerospace industry through this project.

Canada is an ideal destination for aerospace investment. The federal government is supporting innovation in the aerospace industry and is committed to attracting investment in this important sector of the economy by investing in the technology, talent and infrastructure needed to shape the future of this innovative sector.

Quotes

“Aerospace is one of the most innovative industries in Canada. Our government’s investment in this new aerospace consortium will create 300 well-paying research and manufacturing jobs, contribute $178 million to Canada’s GDP and make Canada a global aerospace innovation leader.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“This program will foster the development of new engineering and manufacturing knowledge and technologies by the Bell team in Canada. It will instill a new dynamic in the aerospace community and strengthen Canada’s role as an innovation leader in the vertical lift and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) segments. We are welcoming a new era at Bell, a technology company, and are enthusiastic to be doing so with such a passionate group of partners. This program allows new technologies to emerge and offers a wide range of companies of all sizes an unprecedented access to new markets.”

– Cynthia Garneau, President, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd

Quick facts

·          Canada’s aerospace industry includes 700 firms, delivers $28 billion in GDP to Canada’s economy and supports more than 200,000 jobs.

·          Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, based in Mirabel, Quebec, since 1986, produces commercial helicopters and has manufactured more than 5,000 aircraft for delivery worldwide.

·          This investment was made through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, which aims to accelerate economic growth, strengthen and expand the role of Canadian firms in regional and global supply chains, support economic strategies, and attract investment that creates well-paying jobs. It also promotes collaboration among industry and universities, colleges and research institutions to encourage the development of a highly skilled workforce.

·          This project was approved under the terms and conditions of the former Technology Demonstration Program that was integrated into the Strategic Innovation Fund.

·          In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada’s economy. With a simple, story-based user interface, the new Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes.

Associated link

·          Strategic Innovation Fund

The Story Behind the First Production Bell 505 JRX

Pylon Aviation owner and renowned pilot, Scott Urschel, has been with the Bell 505 program from the very beginning.

29 May 2018

Pylon Aviation owner and renowned pilot, Scott Urschel, was excited to receive the first production Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. As one of the initial members of the Bell 505 Customary Advisory Council, Urschel provided valuable insight, helping shape the design and development of the Bell 505.

I could not be more pleased to receive the first Bell 505 and put the aircraft into service. I have been part of the Bell 505 program from the very beginning and have been anticipating this moment. 

- Scott Urscheh

Before delivery, he was able to test-fly the Bell 505 along with Bell pilots. Urschel's involvement allowed him to provide feedback from the perspective of an experience pilot and customer, which played an essential role in Bell's revolutionary return to the short light single market.

BELL 505 TO ASSIST IN RECOVERY OF MISSING US MILITARY PERSONNEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (8 February 2018) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the delivery of two Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters to Asian Aviation Resources Pte. Ltd. in Cambodia.

One of the helicopters, which will be operated by Helicopters Cambodia, will be used to facilitate the United States Department of Defense’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in their efforts to find missing US military personnel in Southeast Asia. The other helicopter will be used for tourism related charters.

“We are proud to play a role in the US DPAA’s noble mission to reunite missing United States military personnel with their families and to give an account to the nation. Once again, our thoughts and gratitude go out to all the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we as Americans enjoy today,” said Sameer A. Rehman, managing director of Bell Helicopter Asia Pacific. “We look forward to working with the DPAA and Helicopters Cambodia to ensure the success of both the DPAA and Helicopters Cambodia’s missions throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.”

The reliability, speed, performance, and maneuverability of the Bell 505 is integrated with a flat floor, open cabin that is configurable for a wide variety of missions and payloads. The spacious cabin can be configured to carry up to four passengers or configured for internal cargo missions by removing quick disconnect rear cabin seats and/or copilot seat. The Bell 505’s flat floor cabin design and large rectangular baggage compartment lets the Bell 505 adapt to the ever-changing mission needs. These features combined with a proven and reliable drivetrain and rotor system make the Bell 505 a true multi-mission aircraft in the short light single-engine market.

BELL LAUNCHES NEW BELL 407GXi

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the introduction of the Bell 407GXi at Heli-Expo 2018. The Bell 407GXi incorporates new avionics, an upgraded engine, and new executive interior design options.

“We are always looking at ways to innovate our current product line to provide our customers with the most capable, dependable, and technologically advanced aircraft in the market. The Bell 407GXi delivers improved pilot awareness, higher precision navigation, enhanced engine controls, and improved connectivity.” 

Susan Griffin, executive vice president, Commercial Business
Garmin’s G1000H NXi Integrated Flight Deck, complete with high-definition displays and faster processors offers increased brightness and clarity, faster startup and map rendering as well as connectivity to tablets and smartphones. Upgrades to the Bell 407GXi include a dual-channel FADEC engine with full automatic relight, and enhanced situational awareness through the G1000H NXi.
The Bell 407GXi is outfitted with the new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 dual channel FADEC turbine engine delivering exceptional hot and high performance, fuel efficiency and the ability to cruise at 133 kts/246 km/h. Newly designed executive configuration options bring a modernized look and passenger experience to the five-seat club cabin.
Additional options for the 407GXi include the Garmin FlightStream 510 that allows pilots to upload flight plans from smart devices, Garmin SurfaceWatch that provides runway identification and alerting technology, a 3,100-lb. cargo hook, and Health Usage Monitoring (HUMS) for aircraft system diagnostics.
The Bell 407 GXi has been certified by Transport Canada and the first delivery is scheduled this Spring.

Innovation Throwback: The Bell Textron Rocket Belt

The history of the world's first jet pack

Jet Pack Throwback: The Bell Textron Rocket Belt

From starring in James Bond’s Thunderball to flying in the 1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Los Angeles, jet packs have always enamored audiences. A flying human attached to a backpack-like machine would even stun crowds in 2018 - the year of futuristic flying transportation. As air taxis, jet packs and other new forms of flying start to become the center of every technology company’s focus, we look back on the world’s first jet pack: the Bell Textron Rocket Belt.

The man behind the flying machine was Wendell Moore, a Bell Aerospace engineer who came up with the idea to place rocket thrusters on the nose and wings of the Bell X-1 airplane, which Chuck Yeager flew to break the sound barrier. His work on the Bell X-1 gave him the idea to develop a machine that would place rocket thrusters on a man’s body.

The belt Moore designed resembled a backpack, carrying two tanks of hydrogen peroxide and nitrogen and weighing 120 pounds. According to science reporter Brian Malow, “The nitrogen pushes the hydrogen peroxide propellant into a chamber where it mixes violently with a catalyst, producing a high-pressure steam that flows out the twin nozzles to provide thrust.” The average flight of the jet pack allows passengers to float in the air for 21 seconds. 

Moore enlisted Bill Suitor, a young kid who used to cut Moore’s lawn, to become the first trainee to fly the jet pack. Practicing in a hangar 60 feet tall, the 19-year old learned how to become the first flying man. Afterwards, Suitor performed the flight as a demonstration to pilots across the country and even in the hit James Bond movie, "Thunderball." Yes, Sean Connery does look great flying away from two bad guys but it was actually Suitor and stuntman Gordon Yeager who flew the rocket belt in those movie shots. Overall, Suitor amassed 1,200 flights in 35 years, adding up to six and a half hours of flight.

From Bell Aerospace Co. to Bell Helicopter, innovation remains a core focus of the business. At one time, the Bell Textron Rocket Belt stunned the audiences with its ability to literally make a man fly. Even though the jet pack remains a past success, Bell Helicopter maintains the same goal: to produce the latest and greatest technology that changes the way we think about aviation. After all, we have done it before.

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.

The Bell Air Taxi Takes Uber Elevates Attendees For A Ride

All the highlights from Uber Elevate Summit 2018

This week, Bell arrived in Los Angeles and showed innovators - big and small – the future of on-demand mobility. From other industry partners to curious students, the #BellAirTaxi virtual reality experience gave everyone a glimpse into the future of flight.  

To start off a successful week, the Bell team went to the KIPP Academy of Innovation. The students experienced the virtual reality experience of using an air taxi, one that will be their new normal very soon. “Any opportunity to interact with students is always a rewarding experience for our team,” said Scott Drennan, Director, Innovation, at Bell. “They are the future innovators that will use these air taxis and continue developing this technology.”

During the Summit, representing Bell, Executive Vice President, Michael Thacker, presented a keynote speech about this experience, emphasizing how the Bell Air Taxi will alleviate work commutes and other traffic congested travel. Chief Pilot, Jeff Greenwood, spoke to the intricacies of flying new innovations on the “Speaker Series: A Simplified Cockpit Experience.”

Bell representatives were present on other panels, as well. Drennan also participated in the panel “Design Experts - Lessons Learned the "Hard"ware-way”, where he shared an engineer’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities these new aircraft will provide.

As a current on-demand mobility expert, Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi visited the Bell Air Taxi experience and enjoyed virtual views from above.