French charter company Heli-Securite has taken delivery of a Bell 429 helicopter which will fly missions over the French Alps and Riviera. It is the first vip B429 delivery in France.

Ceo Dominique Romet says the aircraft represents the 'best solution available' in the light twin segment. “With its six passenger vip seating arrangement, spacious cabin and incredible visibility, the B429 perfectly meets the high standards of our customers in the Alps,” he says.

“We have just got the aircraft on to our AOC and we have already received a lot of demand for it, although this is the end of the summer season. We are still a few weeks away from winter and are expecting increased demand then.”

The company specialises in corporate and vip transfers in France, Italy and Switzerland from its bases in St Tropez, Monaco, Nice, Cannes, Courchevel and Annecy.

Continues Romet: “The B429 is a twin, fully certified for dual pilot IFR and equipped with a four-axis autopilot which provides solutions for our requirements above water and at high altitude over the Alps.

“The aircraft also offers a fully integrated glass cockpit that reduces our workload, and increases the availability of critical flight information. It will complete our fleet perfectly at a very competitive price.”

The operator saw a significant growth in business over the summer, which came as a surprise amid the ongoing economical conditions in Europe and Russia.