News from Japan

[HeliHub News]

Bell Japan established with locally-based Managing Director for the region

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the formation of a registered company in Japan, Bell Helicopter Co., Ltd. To support the company’s efforts in the region, Mr. Richard Thornley will assume the role of managing director of Bell Helicopter in Japan. In this new position, Thornley is responsible for marketing and sales and support activities within Japan as Bell Helicopter continues to broaden its presence in this key global market.


Richard Thornley previously served with Rolls-Royce

The new local office in Tokyo, Japan, will perform the sales and marketing efforts for new aircraft in the commercial and civil government sectors in Japan. Longer-term, it will also be responsible for supporting Bell Helicopter’s aftermarket support efforts including supporting the authorized Customer Service Facilities (CSFs) in Japan.

”There are significant growth opportunities in the Japan market, and Bell Helicopter is committed to expanding our presence in the region,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter's executive vice president of Sales and Marketing. ”Richard has worked in Japan for more than 17 years, most recently as president of Rolls-Royce Japan. His extensive background in the market makes him an excellent choice for this role."

“I am excited to be heading Bell Helicopter’s new entity in Japan, especially as we prepare for the first flight of the new Bell 525 and Bell 505 helicopters this year,” Thornley said. “I look forward to building on the strong relationships already in place with our many loyal Japanese customers and look forward to serving them even better in the future.”

[HeliHub News]

Airbus Helicopters Japan delivers two EC135P2+ to Police units

Airbus Helicopters Japan Co., Ltd. was delivered two aircraft the Airbus EC135P2 + Helicopters made helicopters to the National Police Agency. After delivery to the National Police Agency, these aircraft were delivered to each of the Fukuoka Prefectural Police and Osaka prefectural police. In the future, will be deployed as a successor to the aircraft currently being served.



The police and national police, in addition to being operated 8 aircraft currently EC135, BK117 (EC145), including Airbus Helicopters helicopter made a total of 29 aircraft are operational. EC135P2 + you have delivered this time, for the first time is the EC135 is operated in Fukuoka prefectural police. Besides, I will not hold any AS365N2 1 Airbus Helicopters made in Fukuoka prefectural police. In addition, in the EC135 of second plane, and we had EC135P1, AS365N2 other for the Osaka prefectural police. These aircraft are active policing of crime prevention, investigation and security, etc., life-saving rescue, personnel transport, etc., in a wide range of missions. "EC135 is a favorable reception even in the police field, we increased its share steadily.

Stefan Morzine over, President of Airbus Helicopters Japan is proof of confidence in the total and support system of our products also this It was said that we are perceived as. after delivery, so that you can perform the task optimally and securely, continue, and "we will continue to offer support for total combined parts supply, technical assistance, training, etc. . EC135 which was equipped with state-of-the-art technology is a versatile twin-engine helicopter for lightweight with excellent fuel economy. In aircraft which adopted the tail rotor fenestron of Airbus Helicopters, has excellent low noise even at the same class, and a favorable reception police activities in densely populated cities, Doctor Heli, coverage, or business transportation available to you. EC135 of 75 aircraft has been active in Japan.

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Additional AW139 for Kagoshima Prefecture

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are pleased to announce that the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) has ordered another AW139 intermediate twin helicopter which will be operated in the Kagoshima Prefecture. The AW139 helicopter will replace an ageing Bell 412 model and will enter service in 2015.


New AW139 for Japan's Police

The helicopter has been ordered with a law enforcement configuration that includes rescue hoist, search light, auxiliary tank and dedicated avionic systems such as an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System and Enhanced Vision System.

Andrew Symonds, president, AgustaWestland Japan said “This order represents the 9th Prefecture to operate the AW139 helicopter in a law enforcement role and underpins the strength of AgustaWestland’s products in the extremely competitive law enforcement market where over recent years we have gained significant market share”

The Kagoshima order increases the number of AgustaWestland helicopters performing law enforcement operations throughout Japanese prefectures to over 40, which represents 40 percent of the law enforcement market. The AgustaWestland products providing this capability include the AW109, GrandNew, AW139 and the AW101.

http://www.agustawestland.com/news/j...ima-prefecture

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Bell 412EP for Nishi Nippon

Bell have announced the sale of a Bell 412EP to Nishi Nippon Airlines Co., Ltd. The sale is the first conducted through Bell Helicopter’s new office in Tokyo.

“We are proud Nishi Nippon Airlines has continued to demonstrate its confidence in the performance and economics of a Bell helicopter to fulfill their missions," said Richard Thornley, Managing Director, Bell Helicopter Co., Ltd. “This sale, conducted through our new Japan regional office emphasizes the benefits of working closely with our local customers to address their specific requirements.”


Richard Thornley, Managing Director Bell Helicopter Japan, with Nobuo Tanoue, President of Nishi Nippon Airlines, and The Honourable Ed Fast, Canada’s Minister of International Trade

Established in 1953, Nishi Nippon Airlines Co., Ltd. is a general transportation organization providing air cargo and nonscheduled air transportation services. Nishi Nippon Airlines Co., Ltd. began operating Bell helicopters in 1956, with a Bell 47G model. Their new Bell 412EP will perform electric power utility missions and will be added to the company’s existing Bell Helicopter fleet of five aircraft, which includes another Bell 412EP, a Bell 429 and three Bell 427 aircraft.

“We have been using Bell helicopters for a long time and recognize Bell aircraft’s superiority,” said Nobuo Tanoue, President, Nishi Nippon Airlines. “The Bell 412EP has been our workhorse and we have appreciated its superior cargo sling capability for our goods and material transport missions. We are looking forward to taking the first delivery from the new Bell Helicopter Japan office, and we are confident that Bell will provide the industry’s best aftermarket support for years to come.”

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en_US/...f-ff34339463c8