Royal Australian Navy Bell 429 Dust Off!

A Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Bell 429 training helicopter made an appearance at the 2016 Tyabb Airshow. 3 are operated by RAN No. 723 Squadron in Nowra, NSW and are used to maintain and develop the skills of junior Naval helicopter aircrew (delivered in April 2012).

RAN Bell 429 arrives at the 2016 Tyabb Airshow

RAN Bell 429 prior to the start of the 2016 Tyabb Airshow

RAN Bell 429 training and utility helicopter Tyabb Airshow 2016 — RAN Bell 429 training and utility helicopter

Junior aircrew initially conduct lead in training in the Eurocopter AS350BA Squirrel helicopter. They then move on to the Bell 429 which acts as a lead in trainer for the more advanced navy Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk and NHIndustries MHR-90 Taipan ship-borne helicopters. In June 2012 Commander Fleet Air Arm, Commodore Peter Laver said “The introduction of the Bell 429 will expose crews to some of the most advanced technology in rotary wing aviation today.”

Preparing RAN Bell 429 for take-off from Tyabb Airshow 2016 — Preparing the RAN Bell 429 for take-off from Tyabb

Preparing the Bell 429 for take-off from Tyabb Airshow 2016 — Preparing the RAN Bell 429 for take-off from Tyabb

This example was on static display but flew in over the airshow early that day and took off in a great hurl of grass and dust after the show. It caused a bit of excitement in the remaining crowd at the end of the day!