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Bell, Air Evac Lifeteam to Collaborate on 206L Upgrade Program
ORLANDO, Fla. - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, at Heli-Expo 2007 has agreed to collaborate with EMS operator, Air Evac Lifeteam on the development of the 206L Upgrade Program. Air Evac will upgrade 24 of its more than 75 206L1 and 206L3 helicopters between 2008 and 2009. Both companies are working towards certification of the modernized 206L1+ and 206L3+ by the end of 2007.
The upgrade program utilizes existing 206L1 and 206L3 airframes and incorporates current 206L4 production parts, including the drive system, providing 206L1 and 206L3 customers with increased performance, increased reliability, and decreased operating costs. James Loftin, vice president of Aviation for Air Evac stated, "The enhanced performance and safety margins this upgrade offers provides our already reliable fleet of Bell 206L aircraft with unsubstantiated value. We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Bell Helicopter through this collaborative effort."
Dorith Hakim, 206 program director for Bell Helicopter stated, "Air Evac is one of our longest and most valued customers. Their collaboration on the 206L upgrade program is testament to our close partnership over the last several decades. The fruits of this collaboration will not only bear more years of continuous service for Air Evac 206Ls, but for other Bell 206L customers for years to come."
The Bell 206L1 and 206L3 helicopters have been flying for more than 30 years while setting the performance standard for single turbine light helicopters. Today, over 1,000 of these dependable Bell products are flying in over 60 countries.
Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor 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.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
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