FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 8, 2010) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the FAA has completed its review and approval of the Bell 429 Category A Helipad Flight Manual Supplement, following earlier approvals by EASA and Transport Canada.

The finalization of the Category A Helipad Flight Manual Supplement validates the 429’s exceptional One Engine Inoperable (OEI) capability. Equipped with two proven Pratt & Whitney Canada 207D1/D2 engines, the 429 provides superior Category A performance, outstanding hover performance and cruise speeds cost effectively. Safety is enhanced by a 30-second OEI of 544kW (729shp), a 2-minute OEI of 523kW (701shp), and an impressive continuous OEI of 488kW (655shp).

“The 429 continues to exceed expectations at high altitudes and in extreme temperatures,” said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business. “Certified for operations from ground level helipads, elevated helipads, runways at maximum gross weight, on hot days and at altitude mean no mission or operating environment is beyond reach.”

The 429 was certified in mid-2009 as a single-pilot instrument flight rules (SPIFR), Category A helicopter under the latest requirements of Part 27 airworthiness rules by Canadian, U.S. and European authorities. It is designed and built to more stringent airworthiness standards than any other light, twin-engine helicopter.

The 429’s maintenance program is the only one in the helicopter industry that’s based on Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) practices that are the foundation of airlines’ unprecedented reliability. The 429 is the first rotorcraft to have its maintenance program approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to these high standards.

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 tilt rotor 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 Aircraft Company , Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.