Anyone in a 429 doing HEMS? Is weight and thus range an issue? Are you doing IFR in them? Thanks 

There are numerous 429 operations out there.  The ones I know of are IFR programs, but I don't know how much IFR they actually do.

Back in the day when everyone was IFR there wasn't much IFR flying then either.  I've only seen a couple of programs that actually utilized IFR frequently enough to justify the costs and headaches associatied with it.

The published useful load is 2,535lbs.  It holds 217 gal.  They advertise a range of 411 a LRC. Put your typical EMS package in, air conditiioning, etc, etc.  You can go a long ways.  You can carry some weight/people.  But you can't do both. So in the EMS IFR roll you can't go very far.  If Bell would have certified it correctly, it would have another 500lbs of useful load (in the US) But they didn't. You would have thought they had learned their lesson from the failure of the 427.  But obviously they didn't. H135 and 109SP can carry a lot more. 429 has more cabin room.  429 is more expensive.  

EMS configured on the pad with typical crew and you'll be at MGW with @900lbs fuel. Plan 550-600 lbs per hour and you're not going far especially once you add a patient. 

As high as a 212?  I find that difficult to believe....pretty bad if true 

Is 100% true. 

That much less power provided by same burn rate....meaning the 429 is a fair bit less efficient than something from the 60s.  That's pretty bad

We demo'd one corporate confugured. Full fuel we had 500lbs useful load. add 3 people and you are above gross. PATHETIC! Got an H145 and did not look back.