Bell Helicopter experienced an excellent showing at The Farnborough International Airshow this week.

Having the opportunity to interact with employees, customers, supplier partners, industry participants, media and industry and financial analysts reinforced for me the excitement and incredible importance of our industry - saving lives, protecting freedom and providing effective means of transportation. I had the opportunity to hear more about the many missions our customers perform with our products, and it was impressive.

In fact, among the many customers I had a chance to visit this week, I spent time with members of the Marines Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) "Scarface" Squadron and their executive officer Lt. Col William Randall. Scarface has deployed the UH-1Y (Yankee) in Afghanistan with outstanding results. Lt. Col. Randall and his team were onsite at the show with a Yankee at the Department of Defense Corral and were enthusiastic to share with me the superior performance of the new aircraft - significant increase in speed, lift and range, while being easier to maintain. Scarface has tremendous confidence in the aircraft to accomplish their mission and get them back safely. I was proud when they told me that the Bell Helicopter tech representatives provide an invaluable service to their squadron in supporting the maintenance needs of the aircraft.

I also had the opportunity to attend the U.S. ambassadors' AIA reception which included many of the U.S.-based manufacturers in aerospace and defense. While we all continue to monitor the overall economy and the impact on defense spending, I was encouraged to see that the large airframe manufacturers at the reception were enthusiastic that they are seeing significant increases in orders as compared to the previous show - a sign the economy is turning. We operate in an industry where the United States is a significant exporter, generating well-paying jobs, which in these challenging economic times is incredibly important. I was delighted to see sales of commercial aircraft at FIA - Bell Helicopter sold four 429s and four 412s.

Again, a great week for Bell Helicopter at FIA. I was very proud of the Bell team on the ground who represented our company well. As I say often, it is the talented men and women of Bell Helicopter who are our competitive advantage.

The last two days have been exciting on the ground at Farnborough. We are seeing positive customer feedback on the Bell 429, 407 and H-1. In fact, we signed an agreement with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Co., Ltd for the sale of seven helicopters, including four new Bell 429 helicopters and three Bell 412s. We are committed to building on the long-standing tradition of working with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace and partnering to provide operators in Japan with the most reliable helicopter solution.

We also signed a 10-year research framework agreement with the National Research Council Canada to identify and undertake research and development of technology solutions for the aerospace industry. This is an important agreement as we continue to invest in our commercial business. Partnerships and investments like this will position the business for growth and demonstrate our focus on complete mission solutions that enable our customers to be successful.

We have also spent quality time with key customers and suppliers. We hosted a Customer Appreciation Reception for more than 350 guests, including high-ranking military officials and industry leaders and influencers. The highlight of the evening for everyone was a Bell 429 fly-by - where guests were able to see the Bell 429 in flight from a venue that overlooked the River Thames in London. I can tell you it was thrilling to see our newest product against the skyline of London.

Finally, it is important to ensure that we are communicating externally the exciting things that Bell is doing to support our customers and their mission needs, so I hosted a breakfast with six reporters and editors from some of the most influential aerospace and defense industry publications in the world. We also spent time with 20 financial analysts who monitor the performance of Textron, providing a tour of FIA Chalet and discussion around Bell's product offering and the value of doing business with Bell Helicopter.

Stay tuned - I will keep you posted.

Today is the official start of the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, England.

Bell Helicopter is on the ground showcasing the mission solutions we offer our customers. It also happens to be our 75th anniversary this summer, so we are paying tribute to the legacy of innovation over the last 75 years, highlighting the evolution of the helicopter from the days of Larry Bell and the first Bell 47 to the newest helicopter on the market today, the Bell 429. That legacy is the result of the efforts of countless men and women whose passion for our customers and passion for aviation has formed one of the strongest brands in aviation.

Several of our products are on display, including the Bell 429, 407 and UH-1Y. Customers, partners and other visitors to our chalet will have the opportunity to view a model wall that highlights all of Bell's products, their legacy and how they evolved over the years.

Last night, Bell-Boeing hosted a reception at the Mall Galleries. Our guests included senior general officers of our military customers and U.S. government officials, along with key partners and suppliers who have brought the incredible capability of the V-22 to the battlefield. Bob "Too Tall" Kenney, executive vice president for Bell Helicopter Government Programs, reminded the participants of a failed mission in Iran 30 years ago that ultimately led to the development of the V-22 recounted in the book, "The Guts to Try." His quotable quote of the evening was, "Our troops had the courage to try but didn't have the equipment. Today they have the equipment - they have the V-22."

We also attended a gathering with senior officials from the Quebec government who are clearly pro business and appreciate the impact Bell's commercial product assembly facility in Mirabel has on the region. Quebec is truly positioning itself as a center of aviation excellence. We are proud that 100 percent of our commercial products are assembled there.

The Bell Helicopter team is looking forward to a successful show and as I reminded the sales team this morning, we are not here to sell helicopters, we are here to provide complete mission solutions that enable our customers to be successful.

Stay tuned. I will keep you posted.

Bell Helicopter is ready to take a stand on the global stage at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) July 19-25 in Hampshire, England, and we can't wait to show the world what we have to offer in rotorcraft technology.

The FIA is an ideal venue to showcase Bell's innovative products and services. We will be displaying a 407 and 429 during the show and afterward will continue the Bell 429 European demo tour. Several members of Bell's leadership team and sales force will be on hand for customer meetings, partner briefings, media interviews, analyst discussions and other interaction with critical stakeholders.

We also will be conducting a test flight of sorts by using FIA to launch our first efforts in the "social media" space, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Those of us at the show will be sharing news as it happens via short postings, photographs and "tweets," and I'll be sharing what I see and learn through regular updates right here at www.BellHelicopter.com.

We're enthusiastic about trying out this new means of keeping you informed in a timely way and to demonstrate that we're committed to the latest technology, not only with our products and services but how we communicate with our customers and the public at large.

Bell is committed to growing our business and differentiating ourselves in the minds of our customers, becoming more globally responsive and cost-competitive and exhibiting execution excellence. I am excited about our presence at FIA and look forward to sharing this experience with all of you.