AeroBD | The AERO news Company…Dubai, UAE, Nov. 26, 2015 : Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today the signature of a letter of intent (LOI) with Petroleum Air Services for the purchase of two Bell 525 Relentless super medium helicopters. Petroleum Air Services is also announcing that it is nearing completion of its application to become appointed as the first Bell Helicopter Authorized Customer Service Facility in North Africa.

“Since 1982, we have been providing both fixed wing and helicopter transportation to the oil and gas and travel industries in Egypt,” said General Yehia Hussein, Chairman and Managing Director Petroleum Air Services. “We are confident the Bell 525 will provide exceptional performance and versatility, making it the eventual choice for our business. We are looking forward to continued collaboration with Bell Helicopter and to the prospect of becoming an authorized Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facility in 2016.”

“The Bell 525 is in a league of its own. Its designed payload range performance will enable operators to perform a diverse mission set more cost effectively than any aircraft available on the market today,” said Steve Suttles, Bell Helicopter, Vice President Middle East and Africa. “The Bell 525 is resonating exceptionally well with customers in the region, and we are looking to significantly expand our customer service facility network to cater to our growing client base. Petroleum Air Services represents a tremendous and well known capability in Egypt, and we are delighted that they desire to join the award winning Bell service and support network and are working towards becoming a Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facility.”

Bell Helicopter has the largest support network in the industry with over one hundred authorized customer service facilities in thirty four countries. Ranked number one by customers for 21 consecutive years, Bell Helicopter has earned top honors in Vertical Magazine’s first-ever comprehensive helicopter manufacturer’s survey. Bell Helicopter is committed to having resources where customers operate to speed up delivery of service and support, and give customers access to service professionals who are easy to reach, know the operating environment and understand their needs.

The Bell 525 is also the world’s first fly-by-wire commercial helicopter, designed to operate safely and reliably in austere environments with decreased pilot workload. The aircraft integrates critical systems data to be easily accessible at-a-glance with the first fully-integrated touch screen flight deck designed for helicopters, the Garmin G5000H. Best-in-class payload, cabin, cargo volumes, comfort and egress complement the technological advancements on the aircraft. First flight was achieved on July 1, 2015 and certification of the aircraft is expected in 2017.