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dous success in the region. It is well­known throughout the world for its reliability and multi­ mission capabilities. We are committed to continuing to invest in the Bell 412 and will evolve it based on customer feedback and mission require­ ments," Roberts said.


The upgrade program entails a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) project that is intended to extend the wide range of mis­ sions that can be performed by the Bell 412EP consisting of an engine and flight deck upgrade, which will be available in 3­axis and 4­axis options.


The engine upgrade, in part­ nership with Pratt & Whitney Inc., is designed to provide a 15 percent engine SHP increase, improved OEI and hot/high per­ formance and introduction of electronic engine control. The upgrade will yield a 10­12 percent increase in CAT A/PC1 & PC2 per­ formance, increased hot/high capability and provides a path for a future upgrade for increased range and payload. The flight deck upgrade will provide a modern glass flight


deck – leveraging the well­ received glass flight deck in the new Bell 429 – by utilizing hard­ ware common to that aircraft, specifically display units. This will provide commonality in the cockpits of Bell Helicopter’s light twin and medium twin air­ craft, simplifying pilot familiarity and maintenance training. The planned engine and flight deck upgrades are in addition to an earlier Bell 412EP STC for the BLR FastFin™ System. The FastFin™ upgrade, certified by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration and available today, increases HOGE and HIGE performance limits and expands the lifting capacity of the Bell 412EP, pro­ viding more tail rotor reserve authority, improving hover sta­ bility, high/hot performance, crosswind capabilities, and pay­ load, while reducing pilot work­ load and lowering operating costs through fuel savings. Earlier this year, Bell Helicopter broke ground on a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Singapore's Seletar Aerospace


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Park dedicated to customer support and service for the Asia­Pacific region. The new facility, which Bell Helicopter will operate in partnership with Cessna, will replace and augment the existing Bell Helicopter Supply Center and strengthen the company's sales presence in the Asia Pacific region, as well as add parts distribution and mainte­ nance capabilities for Cessna operators in the region. "With more than 6,000 hel­ icopters flying in more than 12 countries, Asia Pacific has the second largest fleet of air­ craft in the world. Adding this new service center is one way we are demonstrating that commitment to our cus­ tomers throughout the Asia Pacific region," Maldonado said. ◆


Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey Spurs International Interest at Dubai Airshow


The Bell Boeing V­22 Program, a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company and The Boeing Company, drew wide


international attention at the Dubai Airshow held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “The V­22 Osprey received significant interest at the Dubai Airshow from potential customers from around the world,” said John Rader, exec­ utive director of the Bell Boeing V­22 Program. “It is clear the V­22 is the right solu­ tion for those seeking range, speed, payload, and opera­ tional efficiency for military and humanitarian operations.” "The amount of interest in


the V­22 exceeded our high­ est expectations leading up to the show, with many regional officials requesting briefings and demonstration flights," said Michael Andersen, deputy director. The Osprey currently is flown by the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), and the operational fleet has amassed about 125,000 flight hours, nearly half of which have come in the past two years. A total of 10 Marine Corps and two AFSOC squadrons were operational­ ly deployable recently. ◆


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