Bell helicopters help keep Delhi warm in winter

DW : Kindly describe the helicopter you plan to display at Aero India 2009.

Mr. Greg Hubbard, Director Communication, Bell Hellicopter USA: We will have our newest helicopter, the 429 at the show. Plus 1/10th scale models of our entire product line.

DW : What are the unique/interesting features of that sets aside Bell helicopter from the competition.

Mr. Greg Hubbard, Director Communication, Bell Hellicopter USA: Not only do we make the finest helicopters available, they are backed by the world renowned customer support network. We have been rated by our customers as being number 1 in customer support for 15 consecutive years. With our network of over 150 strategically placed Customer Service Facilities (CSF's), additionally we have over 50 Customer Support Representatives (CSR's) available night or day, 7 days a week to provide you with answers and support for any question you might have about your helicopter. Our goal is to help keep the Bell helicopter in the air, doing what it was bought to do.

DW : After delivering the 100th civilian helicopter to India, what is the next milestone that Bell is aiming for in India. Please highlight some of the users of the 100 Bell helicopters in India and what is their safety/flying hours record.

Mr. Greg Hubbard, Director Communication, Bell Hellicopter USA: Our next major milestone is to see the fleet double in the next 5 years. Soon after crossing the 100th delivery in India, we have already make another mark as a first in India – this is the use of the Bell 206L4 by Pawan Hans Helicopters for "Powerline Line Wash". It has already been reported in the press that power supply interruptions in Delhi have dramatically reduced this winter because of powerline wash by helicopters. Other regions of Power Grid are likely to use more Bell helicopters for maintenance of the transmission lines on a regular basis. We are also looking forward to use of helicopters in Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Services including disaster mitigation activities. More than half of the operators in India use Bell models and our safety record in India, like in the rest of the world, has been the best in the industry. Our models are preferred in the offshore oil, medical rescue, tourism, adventure and pilgrim tourism as well as business charter roles.

DW : What projects of the IAF/Navy/Army is Bell bidding for in India and when are these projects likely to fructify.

Mr. Greg Hubbard, Director Communication, Bell Hellicopter USA: Bell is not bidding for any military program in India as of now.

DW : What is your market projection of the demand for helicopters in India both in the military and civilian sphere in the next 10 years.

Mr. Greg Hubbard, Director Communication, Bell Hellicopter USA: We see increasing demand in both the military and civilian helicopter markets in India. With our current line-up of helicopters, and future models on the drawing board, we think Bell is well positioned to maintain our position as the #1 provider of vertical lift in India.

DW : Any other information you might like to share with our readers.

Mr. Greg Hubbard, Director Communication, Bell Hellicopter USA: With having established an office in New Delhi in the 90's we consider ourselves a company well integrated into the Indian business community and are proud that the Bell name is synonymous with helicopters in India. Bell is all about building long-term relationships with our customers in whatever market segment they do business in. We have customer advisory boards that regularly provide us input as to what features have their highest priorities. Based on that input we try and design aircraft that incorporate as many of those features as possible.