Africair

Africair has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Bell Helicopter to purchase two Bell 525s and placed an order for a 407 GXP helicopter.

The agreement was signed during the recent Paris Air Show.

The company plans to use the new rotorcraft for multiple purposes, including corporate VIP transport, and oil and gas operations.

Africair CEO Jim Evans said: "Both helicopters are destined to be best-in-class performers."

Said to be the first-of-its kind commercial helicopter with fly-by-wire technology, the Bell 525 is designed to operate with decreased pilot workload and integrates critical systems data. The helicopter features fully integrated touchscreen flight deck, the Garmin G5000H.

"Both helicopters are destined to be best-in-class performers."

Bell Helicopter is testing the Bell 525 at its system integration lab (SIL) for virtual flight testing of the rotorcraft before its first flight.

Powered by the new M250 Rolls-Royce engine, the 407GXP offers an additional 50lb carrying capability, and has new avionics such as weight and balance improvements, and a transmission TBO extension of more than 500 hours.

Bell Helicopter Middle East and Africa vice-president Steve Suttles said: "Africair has represented Bell Helicopter in Africa for over 35 years and has a unique understanding of Africa’s operating environments.

"We are anticipating the first flight in a matter of weeks with deliveries planned to begin immediately following certification in early 2017."

Image: Bell Helicopter president and CEO John Garrison and Africair’s Jim Evans. Photo: courtesy of Textron Inc.