The helicopter manaufacturer confirmed at Helitech show in London  this morning that the aircraft has begun operations with the National Grid working on the inspection and maintenance of power lines.
National Grid’s Bell 429 received EASA-certified customizations at Bell Helicopter’s European headquarters in Prague, including an operator workstation in the cabin of the aircraft featuring a SkyQuest 20” HD display, MX-10 control unit, HD Nano Flash recorder, USB hub ports and keyboard.

“We chose the Bell 429 as it met all the stringent criteria required for our multi task operations. We tasked Bell with supplying an aircraft customized to provide our crew with a unique operating environment, all within challenging timescales. Bell delivered a fantastic product which has exceeded our expectations” said Mike Hannon, operations, overhead lines field support manager at National Grid.
“Delivering the first Bell 429 into Great Britain is a big milestone for Bell Helicopter and the Bell 429 program. We are proud to count National Grid as one of our Bell 429 customers in Europe as we continue to expand our global presence. We remain committed to providing them, and all of our customers around the world, with the best service and support in the rotorcraft industry,” said Patrick Moulay, Bell’s managing director, commercial business
National Grid uses helicopters to survey and repair power lines and pipelines throughout their expansive power network.
The Bell 429 is an advanced light twin-engine helicopter. It has conducted extensive flight demonstrations in every continent, except Antarctica, and has been certified in more than 40 countries operating from VIP to HEMS, law enforcement, utility and oil & gas sectors.