30 Years and Counting in Southern Africa

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This year marks a special anniversary for both Bell and Bell Independent Representative, National Airways Corporation (NAC). Thirty years ago, in 1989, we teamed up to offer helicopter solutions to go above and beyond flight in the southern part of Africa.

One of the most prominent markets on the African continent is South Africa. With 225 Bell aircraft in operation in the country alone, the demand for vertical lift solutions has been high, particularly for light single-engine aircraft. This success is due to the outstanding collaboration between Bell and NAC and the combination of advanced vertical lift aircraft with award winning local support, training and expertise.

Established in 1946, NAC offers a full range of aviation products and services, including new and pre-owned sales, maintenance, parts, charter flights, international operations, air ambulance services, aircraft leasing and pilot, technical and air traffic control training. NAC is based at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg and operates a South African network.

Since 1989, we have achieved many milestones, including:

1989 – NAC becomes Bell, Independent Representative

1993 – First Bell 230 delivered to Amplats

1997 – Bell 430 delivery to Amplats

1996 – Bell 407 enters southern African market

2016 – Corporate customer purchases first Bell 429 at AAD airshow

2018 – First Bell 505 delivery into southern Africa. 

2018 – NAC celebrates grand opening of new state-of-the-art Heliport facility

Today - NAC Helicopter Operations supports anti-poaching efforts with a Bell 407 in Chinko, Central African Republic

During a private ceremony this week, we celebrated our past, present and future in southern Africa.

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Photo caption (left to right): Martin Banner - CEO NAC, Sameer Rehman - Bell Managing Director and Gary Phillips - NAC Executive Director.

 “At NAC, we pride ourselves on the long-term relationships we build with partners, suppliers and customers. Our partnership with Bell is one of which we are extremely proud and we are thrilled to have maintained great momentum for the brand over three decades. With Bell’s market leading product range, we will continue to grow their share even further, backing it up with world class support through our Bell Customer Service Facility at Rand Airport. We look forward to another 30 years of success together.” Martin Banner, chief executive officer, National Airways Corporation
“We are very pleased to be celebrating this major milestone at NAC’s new heliport facility located in Midrand. There is immense potential in Africa and it’s with great allies like NAC, that we will continue to bring advanced technologies that will truly make a difference to the continent and its people.” Sameer Rehman, managing director for Africa and the Middle East

With new commercial aircraft entering the market such the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and the Bell 525, there are exciting times ahead for operators in Africa. We look forward to a bright future on the second largest continent in the world.

About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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