China certifies the Bell 407GXi

The Bell 407GXi light single helicopter has received type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Having been outfitted with brand-new Garmin G1000H NXi integrated flight deck – complete with high-definition displays and faster processors that offer increased brightness and clarity and faster startup and map-rendering speed – the new avionics of the 407GXi significantly enhances the pilot’s situational awareness capability.

A new dual-channel FADEC Rolls Royce M250-C47E/4 turboshaft engine has also been added to the 407GXi and it boasts a full automatic relight turbine engine that delivers exceptional fuel efficiency and H&H performance: the power of the new engine is increased by eight per cent, while the fuel consumption is reduced by two per cent in H&H environment.

“We are pleased that Bell has received the Chinese validation of the Bell 407GXi type certificate which will enable us to begin delivering our most advanced Bell 407 model to Chinese customers,” said Jacinto Monge, Managing Director of Bell North Asia. “The validated type certificate will pave the way for deliveries of the 407GXi to customers in China right after the lunar new year, and showcases the excellent working relationship between FAA, CAAC, and US aircraft manufacturers such as Bell.”

In addition, the new configuration options also bring a more modern aesthetic to the cabin, in turn, this improves the passenger experience. What’s more, stretchers are more easily able to enter the cabin during air ambulance missions, thanks to the 1.55-metre wide door.