The Bell 429 Demonstrates Quietest Flight Sound Level at Heli-Expo 2015.
The Bell 429 Demonstrates that it is the quietest helicopter in flight at Heli-Expo 2015. The helicopter had a ten decibel reduction over the competition in its class. It was measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE).
What makes the Bell 429 quieter is that it has a highly advanced vibration suppression system. It uses Smart Vibration Absorbers, Active Stabilization System and Active Noise and Vibration Control System to make it one of the quietest helicopters ever made. It also has ECS with Cockpit Cabin Air Conditioning which provides a more comfortable flight for both crew and passengers.
A lot of work went into creating these advanced systems inside the Bell 429 to make it one of the quietest helicopters ever made. The smart vibration absorbers are a patented technology that was developed by MOOG, Inc. It is attached to the rotor head and is designed to reduce noise levels by five decibels, which gives it an additional three decibel reduction over other helicopters in its class. The active stabilization system (ASS) works with the collective pitch control lever, rotor blades, and stabilizer bar to
MIRAMAR, Fla., Feb. 27, 2015 — Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, demonstrated the quietest in-flight sound levels at Heli-Expo 2015 with its Bell 429 GlobalRanger – the only commercial helicopter to meet the FAA’s new Part 29 noise requirements.
The Bell 429 is the first helicopter to offer a fully flat floor and increased cabin space that easily converts for corporate or EMS missions. The Bell 429 has an advanced drive system and best-in-class turbines that deliver class-leading hot and high performance. The Bell 429 is the only light twin-engine helicopter certified for single pilot IFR and Category A operations, making it safe and easy to fly. With a fully integrated glass flight deck featuring Garmin G1000H™ avionics, dual digital automatic flight control system (AFCS), IFR capability and best-in-class WAAS navigation performance, pilots have more information at their fingertips than ever before.
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), today announced that the Bell 429 has achieved the quietest flight sound levels at the 2015 Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida. The demonstration aircraft landed on Feb. 24 and generated lower sound levels than any other helicopter at the exposition.
“The Bell 429 continues to set new standards in helicopter technology,” said Danny Maldonado, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Bell Helicopter. “The Bell 429 is among the quietest helicopters ever to fly with an interior noise level comparable to many luxury cars. We are proud to demonstrate this capability at Heli-Expo.”
The Bell 429 was tested by Sikorsky Innovations Flight Research Center during its landing at Orlando Executive Airport. The test measured overall sound pressure levels in decibels (dB) in various categories at two locations: one near the tail rotor and another near a point directly above the main rotor. The results were as follows:
• Sound Pressure Level (SPL) inside of cabin = 68 dB(A)**
• SPL outside of helicopter = 70 dB(A)**
• SPL near tail
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), today announced that the Bell 429 demonstrated the lowest sound levels of any helicopter at Heli-Expo 2015 with a fly-by demonstration during the show’s opening press conference. These results were measured by independent auditors and include all aircraft at the show. The Bell 429 is certified to the second-generation FAR36 noise standard.
“The Bell 429 set a new standard for quiet helicopters when it was introduced in 2008,” said Patrick Moulay, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice president of Commercial Business. “We are proud that operational benefit has been validated by not only our customers, but now also by an independent third-party measurement.”
“These latest results further demonstrate Bell Helicopter’s commitment to providing our customers with an aircraft that is best suited to their mission needs,” added Moulay. “The Bell 429 has low cabin noise and vibration levels, exceptional maneuverability, high cruise speed and increased payload capacity.”
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE:TXT), announced today it has set a new industry standard for quiet flight at Heli-Expo 2015 with the Bell 429 helicopter. The Bell 429 achieved the lowest sound level reading ever at Heli-Expo during a demonstration of its Quiet Flight capability, highlighting the helicopter’s unique ability to produce some of the quietest flight in its class.
The Bell 429 Quiet Flight demonstrator was outfitted with an active noise and vibration suppression system during the demonstration, further reducing sound levels during flight by an additional ten decibels. The demonstrator also offers a unique fly-by-wire system that allows pilots to control the helicopter more precisely, resulting in smoother, quieter flight capabilities.
The Bell 429 has consistently achieved some of the lowest sound levels in its class due to its many advanced design features such as its all composite main rotor blades, flap track fairings on each blade; a patented rotor hub damper system; all composite tail rotor blades and a two-bladed all composite tail rotor design.
Recently, Bell Helicopter was able to show off the Bell 429 at the 2015 Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida. The Bell 429 received certification from the FAA to be compliant with the Stage 4 noise requirements, making it the quietest helicopter in its class.
Bell Helicopter has been on a mission to make their helicopters as safe and environmentally friendly as possible. With their latest landing gear and engine technology, they have been able to reduce noise levels by up to 50 percent. Their use of vibration suppression technology has eliminated almost all vibrations that are felt inside their helicopters. They have added a new rotor blade tip design that improves performance and reduces noise at lower speeds.
Bell Helicopter’s focus on safety and technology is really paying off. This year at Heli-Expo, they were able to demonstrate how quiet the Bell 429 is compared to other helicopters in its class, such as the Eurocopter EC135 and Sikorsky S-76C++. The demonstration proved what we already knew about the Bell 429: it is one of the safest and most comfortable helicopters available today.
The Bell 429 will be on display at Booth C2343 in the Anaheim Convention Center, March 3-5. For more information about the Bell 429, please visit www.bellhelicopter.com/429.
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor 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. For more information visit: www.textron.com.