FARNBOROUGH, England (July 20, 2010) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it is partnering with BLR Aerospace in Everett, Wash. to incorporate its FastFin™ System on the Bell 412EP helicopter.

The BLR FastFin™ System is a cost effective performance enhancing modification for single rotor helicopters and when installed on the Bell 412EP, it will increase altitude performance providing more tail rotor effectiveness resulting in enhanced low speed and hover controllability.

The BLR FastFin™ System was designed as a tail rotor enhancement with dual strakes along the left side of the tail boom to control aircraft rotorwash and a reduced area vertical fin or FastFin for increased usable thrust. The FastFin™ System benefits on the 412EP include increased takeoff and landing capability and improved crosswind capabilities.

"At Bell Helicopter we are on a mission to make our customers successful. Identifying ways to make our aircraft more productive and cost-effective plays a major role in the success of that task," said Larry D. Roberts, Bell Helicopter senior vice president, Commercial Business. "Adding the BLR FastFin™ System to the Bell 412 provides our customers with an immediate performance enhancement that will allow them to effectively, efficiently and safely complete their mission without changing their helicopter."

Earlier this year, Bell was issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the FastFin™ System installation on the Bell 412EP, which has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Bell Helicopter’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). The STC includes a Flight Manual Supplement that allows operators to take credit for the resulting performance improvements.

The BLR FastFin™ System STC kit is available for purchase to the fielded fleet through Bell Helicopter affiliate, Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI), in Piney Flats, Tenn and through BLR Aerospace. Operators with 10 or more aircraft should contact Keith Ray, AAI sales manager, 423-391-3607, while operators with 9 or less aircraft should contact BLR Aerospace.

For new aircraft delivered from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.'s plant in Mirabel, Quebec, the STC will be available as an option on all new 412EP production aircraft.

Original certification is for the 412EP with an amendment to cover the earlier 412 models to follow. The functional Bell 412 is a medium-twin helicopter designed to accommodate a wide range of configurations; from Emergency Medical Service, Arial Law Enforcement, Offshore, Corporate to Search and Rescue, in all terrains and harsh environments.

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