PHOTO: Bell 429 at Bell stand


VERTICAL LIFT: THE UNDISPUTED STAR


For those working in the helicopter and advanced air mobility industry,


this


edition of FIDAE marked a turning point. For the first time in its history, the fair incorporated programming dedicated exclusively to vertical flight, with four panel sessions focused on the future of the sector. The participation of Vertical Aviation International (VAI) as a panelist confirmed what many had already sensed: vertical lift has moved from a secondary segment at major aerospace forums to a central conversation about the future of transportation and defense.


BELL AND ROBINSON: 90 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, FRONT AND CENTER


One of the most significant presences in the vertical-lift segment was Bell Textron — arriving at FIDAE 2026 celebrating its 90th anniversary, a milestone the company made sure to honor. With nearly 2,000 military and commercial operators throughout Latin America, Bell showcased a complete lineup of vertical-lift solutions at its dedicated chalet, including the Bell 505, Bell 407GXi, and Bell 429.


The most resonant announcement came on opening day: Bell Textron revealed that the Bell 505 recorded its highest number of orders in Latin America during 2025, cementing its position as the dominant


platform in the light single-engine turbine segment across the region. The Southern Cone — particularly Argentina and Chile — holds the highest density of Bell 505s in all of Latin America, which has driven the expansion of authorized maintenance centers and technical support networks in the area. Globally, the Bell 505 fleet now exceeds 600 aircraft operating in more than 66 countries across six continents, having accumulated over 300,000 total fleet flight hours.


Also drawing considerable attention at the Bell chalet was the Bell 429 — a light twin-engine helicopter that has earned a strong reputation across Latin America for its versatility and mission readiness. With capacity for up to seven occupants,


90


May/June 2026


PHOTO: Eagle Copters South America stand with Bell 505, Robinson R66 and R44


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102