UK discount retailer TJ Morris has taken delivery of a vip-configured Bell 429 which it will use to transport owner Tom Morris around the country for store visits.

Morris says he made the decision based on the size of the passenger cabin and that the performance so far has been excellent: “We have an AS350 so the main feature we needed was a twin,” he explains. “We can make more visits to stores now as we are less weather restricted.”

Morris will be able to take advantage of the Bell 429's IFR capability, certified for single or dual pilot operations, to maximise situational awareness and reduce pilot workload during corporate missions. The company reveals it was attracted by the speed, range and hover performance, as well as comfort and cost management.

It offers a fully-integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system and WAAS navigation. Additional safety features include a collective mounted throttle, damage tolerant hub and rotor system, and energy attenuating seats.

The company is currently constructing a £105m distribution centre in Amesbury and is looking to grow the business to over 700 stores in the next four years. The latest aircraft will also allow Morris to survey potential sites for new stores.

Another Bell 429 in the UK is now fully operational for National Grid. The aircraft was delivered to the utility company for the inspection and maintenance of power lines, and received EASA-certified customisations at Bell's European headquarters in Prague. These modifications included an operator workstation in the cabin of the aircraft with a SkyQuest 20” HD display, MX-10 control unit, HD nano flash recorder, USB hub ports and keyboard.

“We chose the Bell 429 as it met all the stringent criteria required for our multi-task operations,” says Mike Hannon, overhead lines field support manager at National Grid.

“We tasked Bell with supplying an aircraft customised to provide our crew with a unique operating environment, all within challenging timescales. This is a fantastic product that has exceeded our expectations.”