Bell Helicopter to showcase 525 simulator at Heli-Expo 2013

                      
Bell Helicopter will be showcasing a number of aircraft and program updates at Heli-Expo 2013, hosted by Helicopter Association International (HAI) in Las Vegas between March 5-7.

The company will update on new product upgrades including an update on the world’s first “super-medium” helicopter, the Bell 525 Relentless, featuring an exclusive look at the new Bell 525 simulator. Bell Helicopter will also conduct demonstration flights of the Bell 429 and Bell 407GX daily.

“Heli-Expo is unquestionably one of our most important events each year,” said John Garrison, Bell Helicopter’s president and CEO. “As the largest helicopter show in the world, it gathers together many of our most important customers, prospects and suppliers. That makes it an ideal environment for Bell Helicopter to interact with our customers, hear more about what is important to them, and discuss how we can best address their needs.”

Bell Helicopter achieved record results in 2012, including an impressive 50 percent increase in commercial deliveries. The company anticipates continuing growth in commercial deliveries this year.

“We expect 2013 to be another big year as we build on the momentum we established in 2012 – which was a record year for both our military and commercial programs,” added Garrison.

Growth in the future is expected to come from a balanced military and commercial portfolio, with an emphasis on expanding Bell Helicopter’s commercial product line.

The most recent focus of this investment is the development of the Bell 525 Relentless, introduced at Heli-Expo 2012 and expected to achieve first flight in 2014.

“Developments like the 525 Relentless would not be possible without the valuable input and involvement of our customers,” said Garrison. “As part of our product development strategy that puts customers at the center of everything we do, we have assembled a customer advisory panel that is involved in every step of the design process. This helps us ensure we provide our customers with the right products at the right time.”

The company remains committed to providing world-class support and service. Bell Helicopter has been expanding its international capabilities, most recently opening a new service facility in Singapore and appointing two new customer service facilities in China.

To accommodate the advancement of its commercial and military programs, Bell Helicopter recently broke ground on new and upgraded headquarters facilities in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photograph: Bell 525 Relentless mock-up at the Farnborough International Air Show 2012