Nigeria Gets 1st Bell 429 Helicopter in Africa

Bell Helicopters has delivered two 429s to the Nigeria Police Air Wing (NPAW) and Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Nigeria is actually the first Country to have the 429s delivered in the continent of Africa. Impressive! 
Nigeria is the fifteenth country in the world to approve the gross weight increase for the 429 from 7,000-7,500 lbs. FAA and EASA have not approved the weight increase, but Bell has submitted a "petition for reconsideration" with the FAA decision in the U.S. Nigeria's validation of the 429 and its endorsement of the gross weight increase is very exciting for us as the country continues to expand its aviation services and infrastructure.
Bell 429 is a light, twin-engine helicopter First flight of the Bell 429 was February 27, 2007 and received type certification on July 1, 2009. The Bell 429 delivers 155kt/287kph speed with a glass cockpit configuration. It is capable of single-pilot IFR and Runway Category A operation. The Bell 429 costs about $5 million. I want one. lol! 

Crew: 1 pilot Capacity: 7 passengers (six in passenger compartment; one beside pilot)
Length: 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m)
Rotor diameter: 36 ft (10.97 m) Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.04 m)
Empty weight: 4,245 lb (1,925 kg)
Useful load: 2,755 lb (1,250 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D1
turboshaft, 625 shp (466 kW); 730 shp (545 kW)
Cabin volume: 204 ft³ (5.8 m³)