Bell Helicopter on July 1 announced that it received FAA and Transport Canada certification for its long awaited Bell 429 light twin. Deliveries of the twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207DI-powered, $4.865 million (2007 dollars) helicopter are scheduled to begin later this month. Bell holds more than 300 customer purchase letters of intent for the 429 and is in the process of converting them to firm orders. Announced customers include helicopter EMS provider Air Methods. Several dozen 429s are currently on the production line at Bell’s Mirabel, Canada plant. Final performance figures include a top speed of 150 knots and a range of 368 nm. The helicopter will be available in several variants, including EMS, law enforcement, utility and executive configurations. Initial Bell 429 deliveries will be equipped with skids, but there are plans to offer retractable gear beginning in 2010 or 2011. Read a full pilot report on the Bell 429 in the July issue of Aviation International News or here on AINonline.com