Bell Helicopter Launches New Aftermarket Customer Service Plans at HeliExpo 2016

Bell Helicopter Launches New Aftermarket Customer Service Plans at HeliExpo 2016

Bell Helicopter’s Customer Advantage Plans offer holistic coverage solutions to best fit customers’ diverse needs

HAI HELI-EXPO – Louisville, Kentucky (March 1, 2016) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today introduced its new comprehensive aftermarket service plans and announced CareFlite, a fully-integrated medical transport company, as its launch customer.

Named “Customer Advantage Plans,” the new aftermarket plans provide customers with holistic coverage solutions for their daily operations. The plans offer a fixed cost per flight hour service option that protects customers’ budgets, their aircraft and increases aircraft availability at rates competitive to published direct maintenance costs.

“With the launch of our Customer Advantage Plans, it is clear that we are continuing to raise the bar and invest in service solutions to best meet our customers’ needs,” said Glenn Isbell, executive vice president, Customer Support and Services, Bell Helicopter.

The Customer Advantage Plans offer two simple, comprehensive plans with holistic coverage options including the Standard and Premier Plans - covering the basic helicopter configuration, with optional coverage for non-standard kits.

Benefits of the new plans include:

“Combining our Customer Advantage Plans with our world-class customer service, Bell Helicopter will provide customers the support needed through the entire lifecycle of the aircraft - starting at day one. We believe the new plans will provide customers increased value through predictable operational budgeting, flexibility to changing mission demands and enhanced financial benefits,” said Isbell.

“Bell Helicopter’s Customer Advantage Plans are critical for us in planning because it covers all the parts necessary for the scheduled maintenance,” said James Swartz, President & CEO, CareFlite. “In my own career and experience in aviation, that’s an essential component of the ability to keep the aircraft flying.”

Established in 1979, CareFlite is the oldest joint use air medical transportation service in the nation. Based out of North Texas, it operates the only air medical helicopters in Dallas County and in Fort Worth. CareFlite’s helicopter EMS responds to requests from hospitals, fire departments, EMS agencies and law enforcement within its service area of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. CareFlite has been a Bell Helicopter customer since 1979 and currently has four state-of-the-art, Bell 407GX’s in its fleet - all of which will be enrolled in Bell Helicopter’s new Customer Advantage Plan. 

The Customer Advantage Plans are additionally focused on aircraft engine coverage. Bell Helicopter is currently working to bring customers hourly engine service offerings that provide additional budget certainty for the entire aircraft. This additional coverage option is expected to be offered later this year. 

“Customers are using their aircraft in ways like never before. Their missions have evolved and at Bell Helicopter we recognize that our support model must evolve as well,” said Isbell. “From parapublic and helicopter air ambulance, to corporate, energy and utility operators – we have a plan in place to best meet our customer’s budget and mission requirements.”

To learn more about how Customer Advantage Plans can assist you with your aircraft operations, please visit the Customer Advantage Plan website, email cap@bh.com or contact your Bell Helicopter Support & Services Sales Representative.

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About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, 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, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.