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Msg ID: 2719151 Bell 429 +0/-1     
Author:Good,Bad Ugly?
2/3/2022 6:24:07 PM

How is it for HEMs? IFR platform? Thanks



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Msg ID: 2719168 Bell 429... VS ...EC135 +0/-1     
Author:HeloHead
2/3/2022 8:55:34 PM

Reply to: 2719151

Comparison?  Anyone have first-hand experience?  



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Msg ID: 2719212 Bell 429 +9/-2     
Author:429 SPIFR Driver
2/4/2022 11:25:05 AM

Reply to: 2719151

Search the 100 other threads on the same topic. Strong opinions on both sides. I've flown the 429 for 5 years. It's an excellent machine and very comfortable SPIFR. It operates well at high DA's where the EC135 struggles. I've flown both, the 429 fly's circles around the EC135 in my opinion.



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Msg ID: 2719213 Bell 429 +0/-1     
Author:Shrugger
2/4/2022 12:42:21 PM

Reply to: 2719151

It's a great machine! Could use an increase in max gross. power for days!



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Msg ID: 2719215 Bell 429 +4/-1     
Author:unqualified opinion
2/4/2022 1:20:28 PM

Reply to: 2719151

I know there are a few EMS operators, such as INAER France, Mercy Flight New York, Lifeflight Kuwait ... but it doesn't seem to have the market penetration that Eurocopter/Airbus enjoys.

Current 2022 price for an EMS equipped 429 is over $9m

It's fast, and has plenty of power.  OEI is mostly a non-event if managed properly.

Early ships had RK displays and Garmin 430/530.  Current ships have Astronautics displays and Garmin 650/750.  I like the Astronautics displays better...   they seem brighter and clearer.

Early ships had poor life from the pivot bearings in the rotor head, but Bell changed the design and they are mucho better now.

Engines are available with & without the oil/fuel heat exchanger.

 



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Msg ID: 2719228 Bell 429 +0/-1     
Author:great, everywhere except the US
2/4/2022 5:03:52 PM

Reply to: 2719151

where you can utilze the extra 500 pounds, good corporate but medical people load it up with too much crap



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Msg ID: 2719248 Bell 429 +0/-0     
Author:anony
2/5/2022 7:16:11 AM

Reply to: 2719228

Correct, Bell did not get the 500lbs increases in MGW waiver they were hoping for with the FAA, knocks it down a peg because of it.



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Msg ID: 2719276 Bell 429 +2/-0     
Author:Good machine
2/5/2022 1:05:59 PM

Reply to: 2719248

As long as you dont want to carry to much and/or go very far.  EC135 UL is 3,100 lbs.  429 UL 2,500.  And you will pay more for the 429.



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Msg ID: 2719283 Bell 429 +0/-3     
Author:what's UL
2/5/2022 1:37:50 PM

Reply to: 2719276

never heard of it.



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Msg ID: 2719300 Bell 429 +1/-0     
Author:!@##@$#
2/5/2022 2:24:01 PM

Reply to: 2719283

Useful load. Depends on aircraft empty weight, and that is detrmined by configuration.



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Msg ID: 2719437 Bell 429 +0/-2     
Author:Useful load does not
2/6/2022 1:02:59 PM

Reply to: 2719300

Compare apples to apples. Fuel load is more useful in terms of range, or endurance, instead of weight.



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Msg ID: 2719452 Bell 429 +1/-0     
Author:ok
2/6/2022 2:28:12 PM

Reply to: 2719437

put 150 gallons on each.  The 429 will have 1,500 lbs left of usefuel load. The EC135 2,100 lbs.



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Msg ID: 2719579 Bell 429 +3/-1     
Author:fat man
2/7/2022 8:58:12 AM

Reply to: 2719452
One big thing nobody here is bringing up is, the gross weight issue. The 429 in EMS configuration will only hold three people and enough fuel to fly out 30min there and back. And that's leaving at max gross. That's zero patient weight, it burns 600lbs on hour and at 900 lbs of gas and being a Max gross, your not going very far. Or you can do what everyone else does here in the states and illegally fly it over 7000 lbs, because the excuse is, everyone else in the world can fly it over that weight, we can to. Even tht it's illegal.


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Msg ID: 2719864 Bell 429, Fat Man +0/-0     
Author:Horseman
2/10/2022 2:13:12 AM

Reply to: 2719579

One big thing nobody here is bringing up is, the gross weight issue.
The 429 in EMS configuration will only hold three people and enough fuel to fly out 30min there and back. And that's leaving at max gross.

Then below you say zero patient weight, you burned 300 pounds going out so you can take a 300 pound patient


That's zero patient weight, it burns 600lbs on hour and at 900 lbs of gas and being a Max gross, your not going very far.
Or you can do what everyone else does here in the states and illegally fly it over 7000 lbs, because the excuse is, everyone else in the world can fly it over that weight, we can to. Even tht it's illegal.



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Msg ID: 2719638 Bell 429 +0/-2     
Author:Think it through
2/7/2022 9:48:02 PM

Reply to: 2719452

Range and endurance are better comparison for useful load.



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Msg ID: 2719641 Bell 429 +0/-1     
Author:It’s pretty simple.
2/7/2022 10:35:06 PM

Reply to: 2719638

After 800 pounds of people, how long can I fly.



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Msg ID: 2719644 Bell 429 +1/-2     
Author:Yes
2/7/2022 10:50:20 PM

Reply to: 2719641

Endurance or range. Fuel weight is only useful to convert to gallons when fueling, and in weigh/ balance.



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Msg ID: 2719987 Bell 429 (NT) +0/-0     
Author:Not Far
2/11/2022 2:15:46 PM

Reply to: 2719641


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