Customised Bell 429 seating

THE PROJECT >

This project included Generation Global restyling the clients Bell 429 seating to match their private jet. The Bell 429 is a twin engine helicopter with one pilot and seven passengers (Six in the passenger compartment; one beside the pilot)

GALLERY >

The front crew seating and the rear compartment pax seating are two distinctly different seat types in the 429 helicopters. Both seat types are two-piece seats with an integrated headrest and 4-point harness, but the pilots’ seats come with more adjustment and comfort which creates a bulkier seat.

The seat upholstery was manufactured in Dakota Alpaca Grey (JLS719) aviation leather. The leather colour was chosen to work in with the existing plastics and bulkhead colourings. The seat dress cover design features two vertical seams gently curving out. This design is mirrored on the seat bottoms. The insert sections between the vertical lines are broken up using seams to create equal sized panels. All the seams in the seats are decorative French seams and the stitch colour is matched to the leather colour, allowing the needle work to speak rather than the colourings.

THE CLIENT>

The client is Australian businessman who has moved to New Zealand where they have brought a number of land holdings and property. The helicopter is used to move between properties which include one of the country’s most iconic sheep stations.