After having unveiled the Bell 429WLG in late 2013, Bell Helicopter completed its first North American delivery of the aircraft in early spring, and recently flew almost 30 Bell 429WLG sorties with the support of the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation to introduce the wheeled rotorcraft to the southeastern Asia country.
Adding a new dimension to the versatile Bell 429, the Bell 429WLG combines the advanced capabilities and adds the operational flexibility of retractable-wheeled landing gear. This added gear makes the Bell 429WLG ideal for both repositioning in limited spaces and situations that require ground taxi, such as positioning closer to fixed-base operators. Additionally, its exceptionally spacious cabin, excellent avionics options and impressive power and range make it an ideal helicopter for a variety of missions. The Bell 429WLG delivers exceptional performance with state-of-the-art single and dual pilot instrument flight rule capabilities. The Bell 429 can be configured for multi-missions to be utilized for both airborne law enforcement operations and helicopter emergency medical services (EMS) including patrol, surveillance and search and rescue. The Bell 429 sets the standard for police and EMS operations with its generous cabin volume, hoist and single-engine fly away capability, and smooth, quiet ride.
A fully integrated glass cockpit with two or three multi-function displays, dual digital autopilot and an integrated electronic data recorder help increase situation awareness and safety margins. The Bell 429 model is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process, resulting in reduced maintenance costs for operators.
“Bell Helicopter has traveled to a number of countries showcasing the aircraft’s ability to provide support for a wide range of mission profiles,” said Sameer Rehman, Bell Helicopter’s Managing Director of Asia Pacific. “As it continues to gain recognition across the globe, the Bell 429WLG is impressing customers with its versatile capabilities, and exceptional speed, range and performance.”
It delivers 152 knot (282 km/h) speed with a state-of-the-art cockpit featuring single pilot IFR and WAAS precision approach capabilities. Offering exceptional safety features, the helicopter offers a collective mounted throttle, damage tolerant hub and rotor system and energy attenuating seats. In addition to offering outstanding product features, the Bell 429WLG is backed by Bell Helicopter’s renowned in-service support, voted #1 by customers for twenty-two years running.
