Story ID: 
FAA Approves Bell 407GXi 
By: Mark Huber
Caption: First Customer Delivery Made
Word Count: 173
Bell has received FAA type certification validation of its new 407GXi single from the FAA and made its first customer delivery to Eagle Copters of Chile this week. Bell received Transport Canada certification for the helicopter on January 19.

The 407GXi 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 features high-definition displays and faster processors with increased brightness and clarity, faster startup and map rendering, and connectivity to smartphones and tablets.

New options for the 407GXi include a redesigned executive cabin; Garmin FlightStream 510 that allows pilots to upload flight plans from devices; Garmin SurfaceWatch that provides runway identification and alerting technology; a 3,100-pound cargo hook; and health usage monitoring (HUMS) for aircraft systems diagnostics. The -C47E/4 engine replaces the Rolls-Royce 250-C47B/8 controlled by a single flight computer in the 407GXP that Bell launched in 2015.