The projected certification date for Bell’s new 429 light twin has slipped again.
At a press conference here yesterday, Bob Fitzpatrick, Bell Helicopter senior vice president of business development and commercial programs, said the company now expects Transport Canada and concurrent FAA certification for the helicopter in May.
The 429, originally slated for certification in late 2007, has been dogged by repeated delays as the company juggled military and civil programs including the $70 million-per-copy V-22 tiltrotor, which is now poised to become the biggest single piece of Bell’s business, according to Fitzpatrick. Bell currently holds orders for 167 V-22s after delivering 18 last year. Fitzpatrick said military aircraft production is moving to constitute the majority of Bell’s business from the current ratio of a 50-50 civil-military split to one of 70-30 in favor of military production.
