Tianjin Helicopter Expo: Celebrating 40 Years of Bell Helicopters Operating in China

China, Tianjin (October 10, 2019) - Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, celebrated today 40 years of Bell helicopters operating in the Chinese market.

“In the past 40 years, the Chinese civil helicopter industry has tremendously changed, becoming the second largest civilian helicopter market in Asia-Pacific. Bell has been very proud to participate in the development of the vertical lift industry since the first aircraft orders in 1979,” said Jacinto Monge, Managing Director of Bell North Asia. “We are actively working with our Chinese collaborators, CAAC and other authorities to build a safe, efficient and sustainable vertical industry for China for future generations.”

From the light single-engine helicopters Bell 505 and Bell 407 to the light twin-engine helicopter Bell 429 and the medium-sized twin-engine helicopter Bell 412, Bell helicopters are performing various types of missions in China every day. The world's first fly-by-wire helicopter, the Bell 525 super mid-size helicopter, is on track to being ready to land in China in coming years, and Bell expects this game-changer helicopter to boost the development of the safe and effective advanced helicopter operations in China.

There are approximately 180 Bell helicopters operating across China. That number is expected to grow in the coming years as Bell is scheduled to deliver new helicopters to China based on more than 200 orders that have been signed since 2017.

The 2019 Tianjin Helicopter Expo is held from 10 to 13 October. Visit us in our booth #1C101.

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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.