Page 32 - AAA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 Online Magazine

ROTARY

VERTICAL LIFT

Bell given top billing in
product support
Bell Helicopter has been named number
one in product support in Aviation
First Bell 407GXs for tourism International News’ 2012 Product
Support Survey, said the company in an
Bell Helicoper has delivered two Bell 407GXs to Helicopter Flight Services, whose announcement, and has strengthened
services include tours, charters, aerial photography, lift work and custom projects, its position by 4% from 2011. The
making Helicopter Flight Services the first to operate a Bell 407GX for sightseeing. company reportedly performed very
“The 407 and 407GX are both great ships. We chose to add two 407GXs because of the well in the survey, obtaining top scores
fantastic technology. The Garmin G1000HTM flight deck is user-friendly and is a big in nine out of 10 categories. “We are
safety feature for us – we are able to see the New York traffic at a glance. Our clients honoured to receive this recognition and
love the 407GX and we could not be happier with it,” commented Helicopter Flight are highly motivated to continue raising
Services owner John Kjekstad. the bar in terms of supporting our
customers,” noted Eric Cardinali, Bell
Helicopter’s executive VP, Customer
Support and Services.

VIP-transport GrandNew Russian Helicopters and
entered service in Japan CAE test waters HAL inks contract with
AgustaWestland has announced that Russian Helicopters and CAE have Russian partners
the first corporate/VIP transport- inked a memorandum of understanding As a follow-up to a general contract
configured GrandNew helicopter for to examine the feasibility of cooperative signed earlier this year between
Japan has entered service. Featuring action in a number of areas, including to Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), its
a five-seat cabin and five-cell fuel develop helicopter flight simulators and Russian partner United Aircraft
system that offers a maximum range pilot training programmes for Moscow’s Corporation – Transport Aircraft
of 850 kilometres, the manufacturer Helicopter Academy. According to (UAC-TA), and their joint venture, a
said the VIP/corporate-configured Russian Helicopters, the agreement preliminary design phase contract for
GrandNew is equipped with many offers many potential benefits for both the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA)
modern developments in avionics, parties: Russian Helicopters may gain project has been inked. “A HAL design
including a cockpit fitted with the EVS- access to a range of CAE’s technologies team consisting of 30 designers will
1500 Enhanced Vision System, which and can leverage CAE’s network of be positioned at UAC-TA,” stated R. K.
provides an enhanced view of the training centres to train operators of Tyagi, chairman of HAL. HAL has said
surroundings, and an infrared sensor Russian helicopters worldwide; and CAE that preliminary design work in Moscow
that helps boost vision at night, in haze, can promote its products on the global is expected to begin immediately after
smoke, rain, snow and fog. market for Russian-built helicopters. the signing of the contract.

32 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM