Switzerland’s Air Zermatt has received its first Bell 429 configured for emergency medical services (EMS) from Bell Helicopter, marking the first delivery to a European customer.
.According to Bell Helicopter Europe commercial business managing director Patrick Moulay, the European helicopter industry had shown interest in EMS-configured Bell 429, which will continue to receive response from air medical operators.
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"The delivery to Air Zermatt demonstrates the breakthrough of the Bell 429 into the European market," Moulay said.
Prior to its selection by Air Zermatt, the helicopter proved its capability against other aircraft to successfully complete missions in a flight demonstration on the top of Matterhorn Mountain in the Alps, at an altitude of 14,690ft.
The new rugged Bell 429 will be used by Air Zermatt to perform emergency rescue missions at an altitude of about 15,000ft and under intense weather conditions of the area.
Capable of being reconfigured for multiple missions that range from VIP to HEMS, law enforcement, utility and oil and gas, the light twin-engine helicopter has been certified by more than 40 countries.
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By GlobalDataDelivering enhanced superior mission capability and adaptability, the helicopter is equipped with a cockpit featuring single pilot IFR and WAAS precision approach capabilities, possesses cabin space to seat up to eight passengers and can offer a top speed of 155k.
Similar in structure to the Bell 427 with a composite tailboom and advanced tail rotor drive shaft, the 429 EMS variant can be configured with optional clamshell doors to allow ease of access with a roll-on / roll-off stretcher-loading system operated by a single person.
Image: EMS-configured Bell 429 during its flight. Photo: courtesy of Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
