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In yesterday’s news, it was reported that National Helicopters owns and operates the Bell 429 that it completed with the necessary modifications to increase the internal gross weight by 500 pounds. This was in error. The Bell 429 that was modified by National Helicopters is owned and operated by Bob Dengler, not National Helicopters. We apologize for the error.The modifications included the installation of a cockpit voice and flight data recorder (CVFDR), a helicopter terrain awareness and warning system (HTAWS), forward facing pulse lights, and 4th axis autopilot.
This installation marks the first completion of its type in North America following Transport Canada’s approval of the weight increase in January. With the increased maximum weight, 429 operators can benefit from increased range and useful load, as well as improved instrument flight rules capabilities.
Despite Transport Canada’s approval, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) denied requests for the 500 pound weight increase in August, stating that “while the FAA agrees that the level of safety may be enhanced by the approved installation of additional certified equipment in the Bell 429, the FAA does not agree that this can or should be accomplished through the grant of a blanket exemption from the applicability of Part 29 for a rotorcraft weighing more than 7,000 pounds. . . . Currently, rotorcraft that exceed 7,000 pounds MGW (maximum gross weight) are expected to meet the higher levels of safety prescribed by Part 29, transport category rotorcraft. To allow a rotorcraft to be certified at a higher weight than allowed by the regulations undermines the very philosophy that has served the United States aviation community since the beginning.”
The upgrade took place at National Helicopters’ Bell Customer Service Facility in Kleinburg, Ont.
