The Bell 429 from the American manufacturer Bell is a proven all-round talent.

This helicopter is usually used to transport employees, VIP customers or as a fast means of transport for security forces.

But what sets this helicopter apart is its exceptional performance on missions in high mountains.

Since he scores with hot-and-high values.

As a result, the manufacturer succeeded in the prestigious sale of a Bell 429 to the Swiss Air Zermatt.

The company has a legendary reputation in the helicopter scene and works with several helicopters around the Matterhorn in the high mountains of the Alps.

These are particularly difficult conditions for a helicopter because of the high altitude and the sometimes high temperatures.

Hence the term "hot and high".

Under these conditions, every ounce of performance is important for the Air Zermatt, and that's where the Bell 429 clearly has its advantages.

Hovering over a point without moving forward, which requires a lot of power, is possible up to an altitude of 11,290 feet, which is the equivalent of 3441 meters altitude.

The company SHS, which operates a rescue station near Austria's highest mountain, the Großglockner,

On a demonstration tour through Germany, the Bell 429 was recently presented to other potential operators and its advantages were praised.

No wonder, since the manufacturer Bell, which like the aircraft manufacturers Cessna and Beechcraft belongs to the American Textron Group, has to assert itself with the 429 in a highly competitive environment.

Because Airbus Helicopters has the H 135/H 145 model series on the market, Leonardo offers the AW 109, both European competitor helicopters in the same class.

Several target groups should be addressed

Ease of maintenance, low operating costs and the availability of spare parts also count for the operation of helicopters.

In addition, a successful construction is often retained for decades and only modernized.

The legendary Bell UH-1 Huey was in service with the Bundeswehr for more than 50 years.

Therefore, despite strong European competition, the traditional manufacturer sees itself well positioned to score points with aviation companies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

In these three countries, the number of helicopters is particularly high, both due to a close-meshed rescue flight system and the work aviation that is prevalent in the Alps.

Due to its great flexibility, the 429 in the light two-turbine class with a take-off weight of up to around four tons is intended to appeal to several target groups: private customers, ambulance companies and government agencies that need a helicopter for the police or border guards, for example.

The helicopter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW 207/D1 engines, each with a continuous output of 635 hp, and around 80 hp more at take-off.

Both turbines are electronically controlled using a Full Authority Digital Engine Control, FADEC for short.

This means that the pilot can now have the previously rather complicated and careful start-up of the sensitive turbines carried out fully automatically by a computer control system.

Almost no vibrations felt

The helicopter flies at speeds of up to 280 km/h.

When cruising, it has a range of 760 kilometers or a maximum of 4.5 hours.

The 429 can be flown by either one pilot and a maximum of seven passengers.

With a two-person crew in the cockpit, up to six guests are allowed to board.

The pilot or pilots are informed via a glass cockpit.

It consists of large screens that display all important data such as flight attitude, speed, altitude, but also engine parameters and rotor speed.

In addition, a modern autopilot supports the pilot in phases of high workload or in instrument flights in clouds without external visibility.

Almost no vibrations should be felt in the cabin, which is perceived as spacious, thanks to the smooth-running four-blade rotor.

It is designed for either up to six passengers in the normal configuration or four passengers in the VIP version.

Alternatively, ambulance equipment and a patient stretcher in the rescue helicopter version can also be installed.

The 429 is also available with skid or retractable wheel chassis.

The Americans rely on their decades of experience in helicopter construction and an extensive overall package.

Several service partners in the German-speaking countries, a large spare parts warehouse in the Netherlands and manageable maintenance costs should convince interested parties.

For a new Bell 429 with good equipment, they would have to have a dollar sum in the single-digit million range ready.