Bell Helicopter provides three helicopters

Bell Helicopter has announced that it was
awarded a new contract by Raytheon Australia
to provide three Bell
429s for the Royal Australian Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative.

The Retention and Motivation Initiative
provides the Royal Australian Navy with supported aircraft to allow junior
qualified aircrew to consolidate and enhance their skills prior to flying
operational helicopters. Under the terms of this four-year contract, these
three Bell
429s will replace currently operated helicopters in the fleet and fly a minimum
of 1,500 flight hours per year.

“We are pleased by the Royal Australian
Navy’s enthusiasm for the Bell 429, and we are
looking forward to working with Raytheon Australia in supporting the Royal
Australian Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative,” said Sameer
Rehman, Bell Helicopter’s managing director for the Asia Pacific region.

“The Bell 429 is a perfect fit for the development
of pilot and crew skills to make the transition to fleet aircraft. Its modern
avionics, cabin size and speed will serve the Royal Australian Navy and
Raytheon Australia
well in this role. Not to mention the Bell
429 is backed by Bell Helicopter’s industry-leading customer support and
service,” he added.