Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that the Bell 429 has earned Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval to fly at an increased maximum gross weight of 7,500 lbs. Indonesia marks the seventeenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight. The DGCA’s approval is based on Transport Canada’s certification and allows the aircraft to carry an additional 500 lbs. of fuel and/or payload.

“We are thrilled with the DGCA’s approval of the Bell 429 increased gross weight in Indonesia,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “This approval enables our customers in Indonesia to benefit from 500 lbs. of more payload, giving them the option to carry more fuel for increased range or to carry additional passengers and equipment to meet their specific mission requirements.”

Transport Canada approved operation of the Bell 429 at 7,500 lbs (3400 kg) in December 2011 after conducting an extensive technical evaluation. The increased gross weight of the Bell 429 will allow customers to take full advantage of the aircraft’s capabilities, and operate longer and heavier missions. To date, the Bell 429 increased gross weight has been approved by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam.

The Bell 429 is one of the most advanced light twin helicopters ever developed. It delivers exceptional speed, range and hover performance, and offers operators a state-of-the-art single pilot IFR helicopter with top user-rated in-service support. The powerful and reliable Bell 429 serves the full spectrum of segments including air medical, law enforcement, oil & gas, utility, and corporate.

The Bell 429 is certified for Single or Dual Pilot IFR, Cat. A / JAROPS Performance Class 1 at maximum gross weight; has a state of the art fully-integrated glass cockpit; an advanced drive system that delivers power and superb performance; best in class WAAS navigation & IFR capability; and is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process resulting in reduced maintenance costs for operators. The increased gross weight configuration includes Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System (HTAWS), a radar altimeter, cockpit voice/flight data recorder and forward flashing lights.

About Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
 
About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems.

Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forwar