NBAA - Las Vegas, NV - October 12, 2004 - Las Vegas Helicopters has added a Bell 407 to its Grand Canyon tour operation. The aircraft is the first 407 operating in the Las Vegas air tourism market. Citing the 407's speed, comfort, higher visibility, and reduced maintenance, Las Vegas Helicopters President Gerry Shlesigner said, "I have been a fan of Bell since I started doing tours over 20 years ago. I just sold the A-Star for an absolutely gorgeous 407."
Mr. Shlesigner added, "The aircraft is much more comfortable, with seats like living room couches, and the doors close like a Mercedes." Further he added, "The 407 is a proven performer compared to the EC130, particularly with regard to the FADEC. In addition, the 407 is faster, which saves time on multiple daily trips to the Grand Canyon. From the pilot's perspective, you get a lot more helicopter with the 407."
Las Vegas Helicopters, located on the Las Vegas Strip next to the Bellagio Hotel for the last twelve years, has carried over 300,000 riders on its daytime tours of the Grand Canyon and night tours of the Strip. Sporting a distinctive stars and stripes paint scheme, Las Vegas Helicopters aircraft and limousines "are the highest visibility helicopter operation in the world," said Schelsinger, "and we are excited to have the first 407 in the Las Vegas tour industry."
Bell Helicopter Textron, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., is a $1.6 billion, leading producer of commercial and military helicopters, and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce of over 7,500 employees serves customers flying Bell aircraft in over 120 countries.
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, 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 Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.