Bell 407GX

US-based air ambulance services provider LifeFlight Eagle has entered into an agreement with Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of American industrial conglomerate Textron, for two single-engine Bell 407GX airliners.

The new Bell 407GX rotorcraft will replace the ambulance services provider’s existing two analogue Bell 407s.

LifeFlight Eagle will use the new helicopters to provide transport services to critically ill and injured persons in Kansas City, Missouri region.

LifeFlight Eagle chief executive officer Roxanne Shanks said that LifeFlight Eagle’s current fleet of Bell 407s demonstrated a high level of safe, reliable and cost-effective performance.

"We are excited by the opportunity to upgrade our fleet to the new 407GXs, and are very pleased at the high residual value the current aircraft held after 10 years in service," Shanks added.

Featuring the Garmin G1000HTM integrated glass flight deck, the Bell 407GX is a new version of the Bell 407 helicopter, which was introduced in March 2008, and is powered by a 250-C47B model single turbo shaft engine.

"The Bell 407GX can quickly get to the scene, provide fast and easy patient loading, and a smooth ride to safety."

It can fly at an altitude of 5,370m with a range of 611km and has maximum cruise speed of 246kmph.

The safety features of the rotorcraft include a rupture-resistant fuel system, engine exceedance monitoring and a collective mounted throttle.

Bell Helicopter sales and marketing executive vice president Danny Maldonado said that the Bell 407GX integrated reliability, speed, performance and manoeuvrability.

"With the proven ability to cruise at 130k, the Bell 407GX can quickly get to the scene, provide fast and easy patient loading, and a smooth ride to safety," Maldonado added.

Bell 407GX is supported by Bell Helicopter’s customer support and service with more than 100 customer service facilities in 34 countries.


Image: Bell 407GX is an advanced version of the Bell 407. Photo: courtesy of Bell Helicopter Textron.

Defence Technology