Bell 407 Increases High and Hot Mission Capabilities in North America

September 04, 2014

Bell 407 Increases High and Hot Mission Capabilities in North America Capabilities Showcased in Week-Long Demo Tour on the West Coast

FORTH WORTH, TEXAS (September 4, 2014)Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) has announced the Federal Aviation Administration has approved a new flight manual supplement for high and hot operations (FMS-12) for the Bell 407. This supplement allows operators the ability to improve hover in ground effect (HIGE) and hover out of ground effect (HOGE) with increased payload in high and hot conditions. For example, with an aircraft operation at 6,000 feet, ISA +20C (23oC, 74oF), FMS-12 provides more than 300 lbs for additional external load operations.

Since FMS-12 was approved in July 2014, several customers have already begun seeing direct benefits from the additional payload.

“This new ability for the Bell 407 unleashes the true potential of the aircraft,” said Keith White, general manager at Hillcrest Aircraft Company. “We couldn’t be happier with its performance in our multi-mission duties.”

The approved supplement was showcased in a Bell 407GX during a week-long demo tour along the coast of California in late August.

“I am very impressed with the high and hot performance of the Bell 407,” said BJ Raysor, senior vice president of operations at SevenBar Aviation. During the heat of the day, we landed on a mountain peak about 9,300 feet up with a full load, rivaling competitor aircraft in its weight class.”

“In the past two years, we have tripled the size of the Bell 407GX fleet in North America,” said Anthony Moreland, vice president of North American sales. “Customers were given the opportunity to see this aircraft in action and experience its full capabilities, they become just as excited as we are about the industry-leading glass cockpit technology powering this aircraft.”

The Bell 407 integrates reliability, speed, performance and maneuverability with a cabin configurable for an array of missions and payloads. The aircraft provides a very quiet and smooth ride in virtually all weather conditions, and offers outstanding product features including the newly approved high and hot capabilities.

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About Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

About Textron Inc.

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 Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, 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.

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David Rosenberg, Vice President, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288
Kyle Williams, Manager, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288

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