Makers of Classic Bell 206B, 429, Griffon Reach Milestone

Founded in 1986, the Global Centre of Excellence is the Quebecois home for premium Canadian helicopter development, production, and customer delivery. From its first Bell 206B Jet Ranger (type pictured) to the new Bell 429, Bell Canada has been instrumental to the aviation industry, producing more than 5,600 commercial aircraft now operating around the world, with about a fifth of those remaining in the Canadian Market. 

A longtime partner of the Canadian and Quebec governments, Bell has been vital to the continued operation of the Air Force's Griffon fleet, the Coast Guard, and Quebec Provincial Police. The company creates thousands of jobs throughout the country, employing more than 6,000 in their own facilities and 550 external suppliers. Almost $850M is contributed to the nation's GDP yearly supported by sales, manufacturing, and service to fleets around the globe.  

Their continued dedication to global citizenship can be seen in recent months as opportunities abound for local volunteers to donate their assistance.  Joining with the rest of the Bell facilities, Mirabel personnel took part in  Earth Day cleaning initiatives as a part of Canada’s Coalition for Greener Aircraft.  In March of 2021 they announced their incorporation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel into all Bell Training Academy and customer demonstration fleet aircraft.  Working with industry partners, they will continue to work towards halving their CO2 emissions with carbon neutral growth by 2050.  Their prototype “Autonomous Pod Transport”, a multi-tiltrotor electric aircraft, is another example of their forward-looking approach to the world’s wellbeing. Bell's Mirabel location produces a wide range of civil helicopters, like the newest iterations of the classic 412 (The Huey, in older trim), the 407, and the 429 alongside their newest 505.  

FMI: www.bellflight.com/company/canada