The single-engine Bell 407GXi has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for IFR operations. The U.S. Navy requires the approval for all candidates for its Advanced Helicopter Training System competition. The winning candidate will replace the Navy’s fleet of aging Bell TH-57 Sea Rangers, a derivative of the model 206.
“The team did a great job ensuring the 407GXi achieved the FAA’s IFR certification necessary to meet all of the Navy’s requirements,” said Mitch Snyder, Bell president and CEO. “Bell is an instrumental part of the Navy’s training program and has been for more than 50 years, and we look forward to continuing the tradition for the next generation of Naval aviators.”
Civil Bell 407s are manufactured at the company’s plant in Mirabel, Canada. The company said any training aircraft delivered to the Navy would be assembled in Ozark, Alabama. The 407 is currently the platform for the Navy’s unmanned MQ-8C Fire Scout. That aircraft is currently built in Ozark. More than 1,600 Bell 407s are in service globally. The fleet has accumulated nearly six million flight hours. The 407GXi is equipped with the Garmin G1000H NXi flight deck
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