HELI-EXPO 2005 - Anaheim, CA - February 5, 2005 - Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., (PHI), one of the world's leading helicopter services companies, has placed an order for 6 Bell 407 helicopters to be delivered by the end of the first quarter 2005. This order will bring the total number of 407s operated by PHI to 45.
Al A. Gonsoulin, PHI's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, remarked, "these new aircraft will join our existing 407 fleet in meeting the challenging requirements of our offshore and air medical customers. The 407 provides the speed and payload to execute the mission profitably. Additionally, our operations demand an extremely robust product support infrastructure, and Bell has provided that capability."
Bell Chief Executive Office, Mike "Red" Redenbaugh, added, "This six aircraft order strengthens a five decade old relationship between Bell Helicopter and PHI. I look forward to another 50 years of providing premier aircraft to PHI."
Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. is one of the world's largest helicopter services firms, providing aviation services to the offshore oil and gas, international oil and gas, air medical and technical services industries. PHI was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Lafayette, LA.
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 44,000 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.