Duo to Attempt First Helicopter Pole to Pole Around the World Flight

Fort Worth , TX (December 4, 2006)

- Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill, two Guinness Book of Records holders are attempting to set another world record. This time the pair is attempting to fly around the world, pole to pole in a helicopter. The team will begin their historic trip, called Polar First, at the Bell Helicopter, a Textron (TXT) Inc. company, facility at Alliance Airport in far north Fort Worth, Texas.

Textron, Bell Helicopter and other sponsors are providing financial and logistical support for the journey that will take Murray and Bodill and their Bell 407 helicopter through 34 countries and will cover more than 36,000 miles in 189 days. The Bell Helicopter network of Customer Service Representatives (CSR), Customer Service Facilities (CSF's) and dealers around the world will be utilized to provide their world renowned maintenance services in support of the trip.

A major component of the Polar First mission is an educational outreach program in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society who will work with 28 key international schools in the countries visited during the journey. Additionally, the flight can be tracked live through the Polar First website at www.polarfirst.com.

Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33 countries with approximately 37,000 employees.  The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. 

More information is available at www.textron.com