Bell, March 10, 2022 - Dallas, TX – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced the signed purchase agreement by San Diego Gas & Electric® (SDG&E®) Company for a Subaru Bell 412EPX during the 2022 Heli-Expo.
SDG&E® will add its first Bell aircraft to its existing fleet of helicopters to complete various utility missions.
“With more than 350 Bell 412s in use, high-flying operators continue to rely on the aircraft’s ability to perform and complete some of the most demanding missions, like utility operations,” said Lane Evans, managing director, North America.
“The Subaru Bell 412EPX delivers the most modern technology and capabilities and we are proud to mark this important milestone with SDG&E®
SDG&E® provides utility service to approximately 3.6 million customers within San Diego County and the southern portion of neighboring Orange County.
“Utility work consisting of heavy workloads such as crew and cargo transport can be extremely challenging. Operating in high elevations, such as the Laguna Mountains, coupled with San Diego’s year-round hot temperatures, adds another layer of complexity to those challenges,” said Jesse Thrush, SDG&E®’s Aviation Programs Advisor.
Certified in 2018, the Subaru Bell 412EPX, possesses an increased maximum internal weight of 12,200 lbs, external weight of 13,000 lbs and up to 5,000 lbs of goods with a cargo hook. The platform enables large cargo and personnel transportation with its ability to carry up to 5,385 lbs.
The Subaru Bell 412EPX benefits from a more robust main rotor gearbox dry run capability, increased internal Maximum Gross Weight to 12,200 lbs. and mast torque output of +11% at speeds below 60 knots. Providing operators the ability to transport more supplies and perform operations more efficiently.