The Life Flight Network has agreed to purchase four Bell 429 light twins and four Bell 407GXi singles to add to its existing helicopter EMS fleet, Bell announced Tuesday. Life Flight will use the helicopters to service portions of its network that include 31 bases throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. The company is the largest nonprofit air medical transport service in the U.S.
“These aircraft will ensure we are there when our communities and patients need us,” said Life Flight Network CEO Michael Griffiths. “We have an unyielding commitment to safety, quality, and excellence, and these Bell aircraft meet our standards.”
Bell began deliveries of the 407GXi last year. It features the Garmin G1000H NXi integrated flight deck and a new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/4 engine with dual-channel Fadec that delivers better high/hot performance, full automatic relight, and the ability to cruise at 133 knots. The G1000H NXi has high-definition displays and faster processors with increased brightness and clarity, faster startup, and maps, while the Garmin Flight Stream 510 allows pilots to upload flight plans from devices and Garmin SurfaceWatch provides runway identification and alerting technology.
The 429 was certified in 2009 and in the ensuing decade Bell has made numerous improvements to the helicopter.