Bell 407GXi issued FAA instrument rating
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an instrument flight rules (IFR) supplemental type certificate for the Bell 407GXi, a requirement for the helicopter to be considered for the US Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System competition.
The Bell 407GXi can now be offered to replace the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger as the USN’s training helicopter, which the company says that given its capability, ease of transition, and low sustainment costs, is the best value for the navy.
If the 407GXi is selected for the programme, the company plans to conduct final assembly of the aircraft in Ozark, Alabama.
‘The team did a great job ensuring the Bell 407GXi achieved the FAA's IFR certification necessary to meet all of the navy's requirements,’ Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell, said.
‘Bell is an instrumental part of the navy's training programme and has been for more than 50 years, and we look forward to continuing the tradition for the next generation of naval aviators.’
A Bell to Bell aircraft transition would offer a low-risk to the navy by streamlining instructor pilot and maintainer transition training, as well as providing common support equipment and infrastructure, Bell says.
As the baseline platform for the USN’s MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter, the 407 airframe has been proven with the service, it adds.
In excess of 1,600 Bell 407s are flown globally, amounting to some six million flight hours across the fleet, and they are actively performing flight training as well as military and parapublic missions.
The 407GXi's Garmin G1000H NXi flight deck enhances situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by delivering easy-to-read information at a glance, while the aircraft’s new IFR rating will allow all-weather operations.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
