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Bell Refines 429 Maintenance to
Reduce Operators' Costs

Press Contact
Jim McKenna 817-280-4614 / 817-807-3515
jmckenna@bellhelicopter.textron.com

SINGAPORE (Feb. 2, 2010) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has revised the maintenance manual for its new 429 to reduce costs for operators while retaining the 429's state-of-the-art reliability and safety.

The 429 is certified to the latest version of Part 27 airworthiness standards. Its maintenance program is the only one in the helicopter industry that is based on Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) practices that are the foundation of the world airlines' unprecedented reliability. The 429 is the first rotorcraft to have its maintenance program approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency to these high standards.

Building on that program, Bell continues to make progress in a post-certification test program that will enable component lives to be extended or life limitations to be lifted all together. This testing is in conjunction with an ongoing campaign to review and, where safe and reliable, reduce inspection requirements for components on the 429. That test program led to a December 2009 revision of the 429's approved maintenance manual, a change that reduces the direct maintenance cost significantly for 429 operators.

Bell plans to continue its test program, overseen by airworthiness authorities, to support additional revisions to the maintenance manual and reductions in the 429's maintenance costs.

"Bell will revise the maintenance manual as we progress with component testing and help lower our customers' costs as they make greater and greater use of this state-of-the-art helicopter," said Bell 429 Program Manager Neil Marshall. "The 429 today offers performance capabilities and design features unmatched in the light, twin-engine helicopter class. Ongoing improvements to the maintenance program will make it an even more valuable helicopter for operators."

The light, twin-engine 429 is the world's newest helicopter. Certified in mid-2009 by Canadian, U.S. and European authorities, it is to enter service in February with its first customer, Air Methods Corporation, which will operate it for U.S. emergency medical service operator Mercy One in Des Moines, Iowa.

About Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTCL)

A Bell Helicopter affiliate, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited manufactures Bell's commercial helicopters at its 656,600-square-foot (61,000-square-meter) Mirabel facility and employs 1,600 people there and at facilities in Calgary, Alberta and St. Jérôme, Quebec.

About Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company , Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

http://www.bellhelicopter.com
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Post Office Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101

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