Japie van Niekerk, the CEO of South African property development company NAD, has taken delivery of a Bell 407GXP which he is using to transport prospective retail tenants to shopping centre construction sites. It is van Niekerk's second Bell 407; he operated the previous aircraft for a decade but is enjoying the advanced technology of the 407GXP, on which he has installed high visibility windows to improve the view for his passengers.

“I had a need to renew the helicopter because I didn't want to fall behind on the technology,” he tells EBAN. “I use the helicopter for my business almost on a daily basis. We are property developers in rural areas. I fly my potential tenants over these areas and land on a site where I am constructing a shopping centre. This gives them an overall impression and bird's-eye view of the market where they will be opening their stores. The 407 is a very reliable product with good service. We went for the GXP because we spend a lot of time flying at altitude and this aircraft gives me that little bit of extra power.

“The high visibility windows are very important for my chosen application. This option wasn't available on the original aircraft. The old 407 was good and did the job well, but this is just better! The other aircraft had about 1,000 hours on it so it could have continued, but having a completely up-to-date aircraft in this situation gives you the edge.”

His customer demographic includes directors and MDs of listed companies and the GXP puts them at ease. “The aircraft is comfortable, powerful, has superb air conditioning and excellent visibility,” he continues. “My clients can relax and feel confident about being in the helicopter, rather than being intimidated by it. This means that they can completely concentrate on what they are looking at.

“Many of them don't fly in helicopters often and some of them have never been in one. The experience is what they are going to see, not the flight, so this way we keep the focus on their views outside the aircraft, the lasting experience.”

Van Niekerk has also installed a high impact front window and feels that this, along with Bose headsets, has significantly reduced interior noise.

He concludes: “The 407 is enhancing the flights I was already doing rather than opening up new flights. It certainly looks good and makes people feel comfortable and enables them to switch off and concentrate on what they are looking at. As a pilot I am confident with it because I know that I have got that little bit of extra thrust. I don't have to worry about getting into and out of confined landing areas.”