Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced at VAI Verticon 2025 the signed purchase agreement for two Bell 429s to Entergy Services, LLC, an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
“Entergy’s choice to add two Bell 429s to its fleet demonstrates its commitment to using a best-in-its-class aerial platform when inspecting powerlines,” said Lane Evans, managing director of North America, Bell. “The Bell 429’s performance characteristics set it apart from other aircraft in its class, giving energy operators a dynamic edge when supplying power to communities in need.”
Entergy brings over 100 years of electric retail power service through five regulated utility operating companies – Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Texas. The energy operator plans to use its newly acquired Bell 429s to advance its powerline inspection capabilities, ensuring its year-round resilience during natural disasters.
As one of the most advanced light-twin helicopters in its class, the Bell 429 delivers exceptional speed, range and hover performance, and offers operators a state-of-the-art single pilot IFR helicopter with top user-rated in-service support. The powerful and reliable Bell 429 serves the full spectrum of missions including air medical, public safety, oil & gas, utility, and corporate. To date, there are currently more than 500 Bell 429s operating around the world, with over 735,000 global flight hours.
