Ten Other Nations Have Granted Waiver For 500 Pound Increase

The FAA has denied a petition from Bell Helicopter to increase the maximum gross weight of the Model 429 helicopter from 7,000 to 7,500 pounds. The company had sought the exemption to allow the aircraft to carry additional equipment and/or fuel.

In its nine-page letter of denial dated August 13th, the FAA said that while the installation of certain equipment that has already been FAA approved and other equipment that Bell Canada proposes to have approved may increase the operational level of safety of the Bell 429. However, other normal category rotorcraft similar to the Bell 429 have been configured for helicopter emergency medical services, offshore, law enforcement, and other operations with similar safety enhancing equipment approved that did not require an exemption to increase the MOW beyond the 7,000 pound maximum weight limit. "While the advantages of the additional equipment may increase the level of safety, the support for the increase in gross weight of the aircraft appears to primarily be for economic reasons," the agency wrote.

They went on to say that the fundamental philosophy in the evolution of the FAA airworthiness standards is a continued enhancement in safety with an accepted different level of safety based on gross weight. "Currently, rotorcraft that exceed 7,000 pounds MOW are expected to meet the higher levels of safety prescribed by Part 29, transport category rotorcraft. To allow a rotorcraft to be certified at a higher weight than allowed by the regulations undermines the very philosophy that has served the United States aviation community since the beginning. The FAA acknowledged that commenters did not indicate that the community at large believes the 7000 lb limit is inappropriate, and said it will issue a notice in the future to seek public input on the topic."

Earlier this year, Canada and India became the ninth and tenth countries to approve the weight exemption.

(Bell 429 photo from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov