Bell Textron announced the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has entered into a second service provision contract for QPS POLAIR services for three additional Bell 429s, which will expand the number of Bell helicopters in its current fleet to six.
In 2022, contract provider Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) signed for three Bell 429s, operating the QPS POLAIR fleet responsible for patrolling and supporting on-ground policing efforts in southeast Queensland.
The new batch of Bell 429s is part of a POLAIR service provision contract between QPS and Townsville-based Meridian Helicopters to provide a similar airborne law enforcement capability in north Queensland for the next 10 years.
“It fills us with much pride to have QPS and their service providers see the immense value the Bell 429 brings to the table, especially in keeping Queenslanders, far and wide, safe. The addition of these three aircraft will enhance QPS’ aerial functions, improve response times and support critical missions, reinforcing the global reputation of the Bell 429 as a high quality and reliable law enforcement platform,” said Daniel McQuestin, business development director for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim, Bell.
Equipped with night vision capabilities and cameras, the Bell 429 will be configured with these essential features to assist QPS officers in tracking vehicles, apprehending offenders and locating missing persons from the air.
Around the world, the Bell 429 has built a name for itself as an aircraft that excels in its support for law enforcement, HEMS and utility work as well as corporate transport, as evidenced by high-profile users of the light twin platform, which include the New South Wales Police Force, New Zealand Police, Canadian Coast Guard, Indonesia National Police, New York Police Department, Royal Thai Police, and Swedish National Police.
Nautilus Aviation’s Bell fleet doubles successful flight hours: Nautilus Aviation’s Bell 407GXi fleet has now accumulated more than 6,300 successful flight hours, doubling its tally in a space of less than 12 months. In June last year, the company’s five Bell 407GXis hit 3,000+ successful flight hours, supporting a variety of missions in Northern Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef region, encompassing the parapublic and tourism segments. The aircraft were also quickly deployed to assist with disaster relief efforts during the historic flooding of Northwestern Queensland in March 2023. For nearly a month, the Nautilus team operated their Bell 407GXis tirelessly and effectively to conduct resupply missions, evacuations, long-line and cargo operations, and transport key government, emergency, and infrastructure personnel. As Northern Australia’s largest operator, with 30 years of flying experience, Nautilus Aviation also owns and operates other Bell models, including the Bell 206, Bell 206L, Bell 505 and Bell 412EP.
Microflite orders Airbus H125 helicopter to expand utility work in Australia
Melbourne-based helicopter operator Microflite has ordered an additional H125 to join their fleet in Australia, making it their 20th Airbus helicopter ordered over the years. This proven utility helicopter joins the fleet as part of Microflite’s strategy to continue to deliver the highest levels of safety available to their customers, with the H125 being the backbone of their fleet for all utility missions.
“At Microflite, we’re committed to the highest standards and levels of safety for our customers and our team, which is part of the reason we keep adding Airbus helicopters to our existing fleet,” said Jonathan Booth, CEO Microflite. “Across the range of Airbus helicopter platforms that we currently fly, the H125 is definitely our go-to for all utility work, whether it’s for firefighting, general air work, or land management,” he added.
The Microflite helicopter fleet includes the H120, H125, AS350, H130, H135, and the latest state-of-the-art five-bladed H145, all used for a range of missions with their customers. The H125 provides enhanced safety and reduced workload for pilots with its touchscreen glass cockpit instrument panel, which incorporates the Garmin G500H TXi avionics suite and Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) developed for Airbus. The VEMD enables pilots to monitor the main vehicle and engine parameters at a glance. The helicopter’s wireless connection automatically transfers flight data at the end of each flight.
Today, more than 4,300 H125 family helicopters are flying across the globe in the most demanding conditions.
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