18-Mar-2013 Source: HeliHub.com
Here are some photos of the new retractable gear Bell 429 as announced at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas earlier this month.
HeliHub.com understands that it is the wheeled variant which has led to Bell pushing the certified maximum weight up from 7,000lb to 7,500lb, and while many national authorities have already agreed the higher figure, the FAA – and indeed EASA and others – have not yet approved the increase. All the extra mechanicals required for the retractable wheels would make the useful load a lot less practical at the 7,000lb AUW limit.
Jeremy Parkin = HeliHub.com