Aircraft Overview: Bell 429

Powering the Bell 429 are two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D1 or D2 turboshaft engines that have full authority digital engine control (FADEC), as well as takeoff and maximum continuous uninstalled thermodynamic capabilities of 719 shp and 635 shp, respectively. 

According to the Transport Canada type certificate data sheet (TCDS), the maximum weight of a basic aircraft with internal loading is 7,000 lb., a limit that increases to 8,000 lb. with external loading. 

An increased gross weight (IGW) option was approved by Transport Canada in 2011 that allowed for a maximum weight with internal loading of 7,500 lb., with that increased gross weight requiring the installation of a cockpit voice recorder/flight data recorder, flashing forward light, helicopter terrain avoidance and warning system (HTAWS) and radar altimeter. 

The empty weight of helicopters in the standard configuration is 4,465 lb., while the useful load in that configuration and with internal loading is 2,535 lb. Bell 429 airframes in the standard configuration that are able to operate at the 7,500-lb. increased gross weight—with internal loading—also have an increased useful load of 3,014 lb. 

Additionally, the cargo hook capacity is 3,000 lb. and the standard fuel capacity is 217 gal., the latter of which can be supplemented by an optional 39-gal. auxiliary fuel capacity. 

Marketed for its ability to perform corporate, energy, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and public safety missions, the operating limitations of the Model 429 include a never-exceed speed (V_NE) of 155-kt. indicated airspeed (KIAS), as well as a 20,000-ft. pressure altitude maximum altitude limit. 

In addition to those certified limitations, Bell Textron promotes a maximum cruise speed of 155 kt. 

With standard fuel and no reserve, in International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions, at 4,000 ft. and a takeoff gross weight of 7,000 lb., and when operated at the long-range cruise (LRC) speed, the range of the Bell 429 is 411 nm. 

Based on the same criteria except for being operated at “loiter speed (60 KIAS),” the helicopter’s endurance is 4.5 hr.

Furthermore, on an ISA day and at 7,000 lb., in-ground-effect (IGE) hovering ceiling is 14,130 ft., while the out-of-ground effect (OGE) hovering ceiling is 11,290 ft. in the same conditions.