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Bell Draws on Aero Design for cargo basket upgrade
January 7, 2014 By Carey Fredericks
Jan. 7, 2014, Powell River, B.C. - Aero Design Ltd. has announced it has entered into an agreement with Bell Helicopter to update the existing Bell 429 Helicopter Cargo Basket and Step installation for inclusion of serial numbers 57081 and subsequent.
The initial offering of the Aero Design – Bell 429 Cargo Basket Assembly received Canadian certification (STC SH12-58) on November 16, 2012 followed by EASA approval (STC 10043360)on January 25, 2013 and US FAA certification (STC SR03317NY) on September 24, 2013.
Following the Bell 429 performance enhancement program implemented by Bell Helicopter at the request of its customer base, modifications to the airframe attachments and basket mounting position required changes to the mount fittings and basket. By all accounts the early version of the cargo basket and step was a great success and the next generation promises to continue to expand on the capabilities of the aircraft to customers of both Bell Helicopter and Aero Design. Aero Design President Jason Rekve says previous experiences between the two manufacturers have been “very positive” and stated, “The added value that Bell Helicopter’s Aeronautical Accessories brand provides in terms of marketing and distribution gives Aero Design an outstanding outlet to the global market.”
