FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 17, 2011) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been voted number one in product support by the readers of Professional Pilot magazine. With its largest lead and highest ranking of 7.96 out of a possible 10.0 since the awards inception, Bell Helicopter has earned this top honor for the 17th consecutive year.

Earlier this year, Bell Helicopter announced the integration of six of its support and service subsidiaries as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen their position as the industry leader in customer service and transform the product support model.

“Bell Helicopter is committed to finding innovative ways to rapidly respond to our customers needs and enhance their missions,” said R. Danny Maldonado, senior vice president of customer support and chief services officer. “This award is an indication that our customers and the helicopter industry have embraced Bell Helicopter’s comprehensive service model and we are headed in the right direction, with their mission requirements in mind.”

Bell Helicopter’s overall score increased over its 2010 scores, and furthered the gap by more than 0.50 points over the second place ranking. The company improved its winning margins in six of the seven categories rated, with the largest improvement in the cost of parts category.

Customers rated Bell Helicopter as the top scorer in each of the seven categories surveyed: company response time, spares availability, cost of parts, speed in aircraft on ground service, technical manuals, technical representatives and service satisfaction.

With more than 120 customer service facilities in 34 countries, six strategically located supply centers and 47 customer support representatives and dedicated product support engineers focused on improving responsiveness and lowering direct operating costs, Bell Helicopter is home to an expansive customer support network.

“I am extremely proud of our entire global customer support and service team,” said Maldonado. “They truly know what it means to put the customer first.”

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.