Bell has received type certificate approval for its 407GXi light single helicopter from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Bell revealed the 407GXi in February 2018 and made its first customer delivery in October to a Chilean customer. Currently, more than 1,400 Bell 407 series helicopters are in operation worldwide.
In 2017, Shaanxi Helicopter ordered 100 Bell 407s as part of its plan to build an air medical rescue and law enforcement network in China. Deliveries of the new helicopter in China are expected to begin this month. The 407GXi is equipped with the Garmin G1000H NXi integrated flight deck and the dual-channel Fadec Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 turboshaft engine. The G1000H NXi integrated flight deck on the helicopter provides high-definition displays and faster processors, increased brightness and clarity, faster start-up and map rendering speed, and enhanced pilot situational awareness. Options include the Garmin FlightStream 510 that allows pilots to upload flight plans from smart devices.
The new M250-C47E/4 engine features dual-channel Fadec with full automatic relight. It delivers 2 percent improved fuel efficiency and 8 percent more power in hot-and-high environments. The 407GXi also is available with a newly designed executive cabin with a five-seat club layout.