Looking Back on 25 Years of the Bell 407

A global platform renowned for its versatility and reliability, the Bell 407 aircraft has played an essential role in critical missions for more than 25 years. The aircraft sets a high-standard for single-engine aircraft with its unmatched reliability and performance in hot, high or maritime environments.

Offering the lowest direct operating costs of any IFR-capable helicopter produced today, the Bell 407GXi – the latest iteration of the Bell 407 family – opens the door to global operators seeking a cost-effective, IFR solution. Aside from its ability to support pilots navigating low visibility environments, the platform leverages a Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck and Precise Flight Pulselite to reduce pilot workload and signal aircraft presence to birds or oncoming aerial traffic.

Performing cliffside rescues, moving severely injured patients to critical care or flying passengers through mountainous scenery, the aircraft proved its value in every one of its acquired six million flight hours. Bell customers continue to share their praise for the cost-effective, dynamic aircraft, noting its unparalleled reliability and quality:

"The 407 is an excellent aircraft. They’re a very forgiving aircraft. They’re very durable.” This law enforcement team has at least one Bell 407 ready to go at all times. “It’s extremely rare that we do not have an aircraft available,” said Brooks. “I can probably count on one hand over the last 25 years where that’s happened.” said Greg Brooks, Chief Pilot, Volusia County Sherriff’s Office

“Switzerland is known as the worldwide center of luxury, high-quality, precision watchmaking. Swiss helicopter customers have the same quality expectations for their aircraft, and the Bell 407 GXi surpasses them.” Daniel Borer, CEO and Owner, Centaurium Aviation

“The Bell 407 is simply the most efficient air medical helicopter out there. We have low maintenance costs, low operating costs, great reliability and a G1000 avionics package that just brings the aircraft to the next level. With the GXi engine upgrades and the dual FADECs, FADEC issues are not even a concern anymore. With the single pilot IFR and a single engine, I don’t think you could find a more reliable airframe to fly in.” Tom Klassen, executive director, HALO-Flight.

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For the future of the platform, the team is excited to see what mission sets our customers use the platform for next. “The Bell 407 GXi is an extremely versatile aircraft that generates widespread customer interest for its ability to seamlessly support missions sets,” said Michael Nault, director, Commercial Programs, Bell. “The GXi is a revolutionary upgrade to this world-renowned aircraft and will elevate flight performance for current and future customers.”

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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