Story ID: 
Bell Delivers Its First Chinese HEMS Helicopter
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Operator Reignwood Aviation accepted the Bell 429, which was equipped with a CAAC validated med-evac interior by United Rotorcraft
Word Count: 223
Bell Helicopter has delivered the first of its products to serve as a aeromedical transport in China, to operator Reignwood Aviation, one of the country’s largest helicopter operators, the company announced at ABACE, held this week in Shanghai.

The HEMS-equipped Bell 429 was outfitted by Air Methods subsidiary United Rotorcraft and includes a machined aluminum floor, additional medical crew seating configurations, equipment for patient care, and is outfitted with a rescue hoist and other program-specific support equipment.

“This delivery and Civil Aviation Authority of China validation for the medical interior represents a two-year effort to bring our product into China,” noted Frank Graham, United Rotorcraft’s senior director of global sales and marketing. “We are confident this will be the first of many opportunities in China available to us because of our product’s CAAC validation.”

The light-twin turbine 429 serves segments such as law enforcement, utility, oil and gas, and corporate transport. in addition to air medical.

“We are proud to partner with United Rotorcraft to deliver the first HEMS Bell 429 to our friends at Reignwood,” said Patrick Moulay, the airframer’s executive vice president for commercial sales and marketing. “There is a critical need for HEMS in China and we are honored Reignwood has selected the Bell 429 to assist in life-saving missions.”