Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the expansion of performance capabilities to its line of 206L single-engine helicopters with performance upgrade offerings to customers at a reduced price.

Bell has spent the past year listening to customer feedback and evaluating the performance of this product line and as a result reduced the price for its 206L1+ and 206L3+ Performance Plus Upgrade Kits.

“Our goal is to offer all Bell operators with supplemental product offerings that not only improve the performance of the aircraft, but are both affordable and cost-effective as well. We have reduced the price of this upgrade kit to ensure our customers can maintain the lowest operating cost possible and continue to get more out of their aircraft on each and every mission flown,” said Danny Maldonado, senior vice president customer support and chief services officer.

Introduced late last year, the performance plus upgrade kit provides extended life for continuous operation on Bell 206L1 and 206L3 helicopters.  Long-time customer Air-Evac Lifeteam partnered with Bell Helicopter in kit development and was the first to install the performance upgrade on their aircraft.

Based on the proven design and performance of the Bell 206L4, the  206L1+ and 206L3+ performance plus programs enhance aircraft performance and reliability and increase operational efficiencies by reducing direct operating costs, increasing payload capacity and the transmission takeoff power rating, standardizing fleet configurations, and streamlining spare parts procurement.

Every part of the performance plus upgrade kit is currently in production.

“We are committed to researching and developing new upgrade offerings that expand the performance capabilities of Bell aircraft and meet our customers’ mission requirements,” said Maldonado. “The 206L1+ and 206L3+ performance plus kits are just one example of Bell’s continual effort to bring greater value to our customers through improvements to our helicopters.”

Bell 206L1 and 206L3 helicopters have been flying for more than 30 years, setting the performance standard for the single-turbine light helicopters. Today, over 1,000 of these dependable Bell products are flying multiple missions in over 60 countries around the world.

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. More information is available at www.textron.com.

http://www.bellhelicopter.com