FLUG REVUE first flight gallery: Bell 417

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Bell 417 Achieves First Flight

Farnborough Air Show , England Jul 17, 2006 -- Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) today announced that the Bell 417 completed its first flight Thursday, June 1, 2006. The aircraft took off from Bell XworX in Arlington, Texas and flew in a traffic pattern at 70 knots – about 80 mph – for a little more than half an hour at about 1,000 feet. The pilot's comments were that the aircraft handled great. Basically, it was a flawless first flight. The aircraft and engine performed as expected.

Commenting on the flight Bell Chief Executive Officer, Mike Redenbaugh, said “This was another great day for Bell. This accomplishment reflects the Bell and Textron commitment to bringing new products to our valued customers in both commercial and military applications. The Bell 417 brings tremendous new capability to the market place. It is one more step in keeping our promise of providing premier products to our customers.”

The new Bell 417 is designed to provide improved useful load, high temperature and high altitude Out-of-Ground Effect (OGE) performance, lower cost of operation than simper aircraft in the light single class as well as modernized cockpit equipment.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada are expected to certify the new Bell 417 in 2008 with European Aviation Safety Agency validation expected in late 2008.
The 417 features new main and tail rotors to provide additional performance and directional control margin.

The Bell 417 has received tremendous acceptance in the market place since its introduction at the Helicopter Association International convention (Heli-Expo) in February.

Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees in continuing operations. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Full technical data and history can be found here.

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Last updated 21 July 2006

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