Following Bell’s announcement that they have delivered the 50th Bell 429 into “their definition of” Europe, HeliHub.com can reveal that the purchaser is Homeserve – a company that provides 24×7 “man in a van” repair for plumbing, drainage and heating problems to households that pay an annual fee for membership.  The company also carries out repair work for insurers (eg home appliance guarantee work) and repairs after a break-in or flood.

HomeServe was created as a joint venture with South Staffordshire Water in 1993, with an investment of £100,000. The home emergency business grew quickly and within 10 years accounted for two thirds of the company’s profits. In 2004, South Staffordshire Water plc demerged from the Group and the company changed its name to HomeServe plc.  Expansion has continued into most countries of western Europe.

Company owner and founder Richard Harpin started his rotary wing experience in 2002 with a Robinson R44 G-HRPN, one of the first Raven II models in the country.  In 2006 he upgraded to a Eurocopter AS355N, the helicopter which is now being replaced by the Bell 429.  The 429 has been test flying from UK Bell dealer Heli Charter’s base at Manston since at least 11th December and was noted in the UK’s East Midlands on 17th, possibly it’s delivery flight to the customer.

The Bell will be strictly a corporate operation, and is thus able to be operated on the Isle of Man register.  This enables Homeserve to circumvent the EASA/FAA weight limitation of 7,000lb and allows the 500lb increase as the Isle of Man certification ethos is to follow the approvals of the country where the aircraft is manufactured, in this case Canada.

Bell serial 57187.  Registration M-HRPN

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com