Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that Transport Canada has approved the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Bell 429 United Rotorcraft air medical critical care interior. Bell Helicopter is featuring a Bell 429 in this interior configuration at the Farnborough International Airshow this week.

The United Rotorcraft air medical critical care interior includes advanced life support for up to two patients, installed in the Bell 429’s 204 ft3 main and aft cabin offering unobstructed full body access to the patient. The Bell 429 is the only light twin-engine helicopter on the market that offers true two-litter emergency medical service capability with room for two medical attendants plus two crew members.

“Transport Canada’s certification of the United Rotorcraft emergency medical service (EMS) interior is an important milestone in the success of the Bell 429 program,” said Danny Maldonado, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at Bell Helicopter. “The addition of a world-class EMS interior to the exceptional performance characteristics, gives the Bell 429 an unparalleled ability to serve aerial emergency personnel as they carry out their life-saving missions.”

The Bell 429 offers EMS operators a high performance and highly reliable aircraft with advanced safety of flight features, easy patient loading through 60 inch wide side-loading or rear clamshell doors. “This certification opens up the EMS market for the 429 in Canada and beyond. Bell Helicopter is proud to be a part of the rescue efforts performed every day by the men and women in helicopter emergency services,” added Maldonado.

The Bell 429, supported by Bell Helicopter’s #1 ranked Customer Support and Services, is the world’s newest and most advanced light twin-engine helicopter. It was certified in 2009 by Transport Canada, the FAA and EASA. It has set the standard for light twins by delivering exceptional speed, range, hover performance and enhanced safety margins.