The 47GT-6 helicopter was announced by SB47 earlier this month at the Heli Expo 2013 in Las Vegas, NV and will enter service in 2016. The 47GT-6 will be powered by the RR300 engine and will also include a new, modern Instrument Panel similar to that currently being developed by SB47 for use on the piston driven fleet of Bell 47 helicopters still in service. Based upon the Bell 47G-3B-2A platform the MGW with external load will be 3,200lb. The helicopter will also incorporate other improvements including Composite Main Rotor Blades, LED Exterior Lighting and new Interiors, plus SB47 hopes to drive down operating cost to market leading numbers through the use of modern drive train technologies.

Brown Helicopter is a privately owned firm located in Pensacola, Florida. The company has been doing business since the early 1970s and began by distributing helicopter spares to the industry. The company has since expanded and now supports both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Owner of Ferguson Airport just west of Pensacola, the company has grown their fleet to approximately 45 fixed and rotary wing aircraft including the largest fleet of privately owned Blackhawk helicopters leased for firefighting operations across the country. Their new 47GT-6 will be based at Ferguson Airport with the intention to start a utility helicopter operation in the Southeast.

About Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc.

Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc., under the private ownership of Scott Churchill, is a sister company to Scott’s Helicopter Services Inc., one of the largest fleet operators of Bell 47 helicopters in the world, and Texas Helicopter Co., Inc., manufacturer of the WASP helicopter and an FAA-PMA parts supplier & STC holder for the Model 47. SB47 is the Type Certificate holder for all FAA type certificated Model 47 helicopters. They currently provides OEM level customer support & services to the fielded fleet and have announced they will manufacture the 47GT-6 helicopter starting in 2016 .