Bell Textron has delivered seven new 407GXi utility helicopters into Australia in the past 12 months, which the company has described as robust demand.
The 407 is a single-engined utility helicopter that was developed from the very successful Bell 206 Jet Ranger.
Five of those aircraft were shipped to Queensland operator Nautilus Aviation, which deploys them on airwork and tourist operations. The other two were to an unnamed utility company and a corporate operator.
These shipments bring the number of 407s in Australia to over 20.
"Bell proves its mature production and sustainment support capability with more than 1600 Bell 407s globally, logging 6 million flight hours across the fleet and actively performing flight training as well as military, tourism and para-public missions," Bell Textron said.
"The 407GXi’s Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck enhances situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by delivering easy-to-read information."
Recently, the UK CAA certified the Bell 407GXi three-axis autopilot, which offers decreased pilot workload and assistance in the event of inadvertent IMC.
The seven-seat Bell 407 GXi is powered by an 862-shp Rolls-Royce 250 turbine, which provides the helicopters with a max speed of 133 KTAS, a useful load internal load of 756 kg and a hover out of ground effect (OGE) of 11,940 feet.