Bell Helicopter has announced that its Bell
505 Jet Ranger X has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Bell 505 continues to surpass significant
milestones - achieving type certification in December 2016 from Transport Canada
Civil Aviation, then gaining production certification, and recently celebrating
the first customer delivery.
“This is another significant milestone in our
journey to market entry for the Bell 505,” said
Mitch Snyder,
Bell Helicopter’s president and CEO. “This aircraft incorporates the latest
advancements in safety and aviation technology and we are extremely proud of our
return to the short light single class of helicopters.”
Bell Helicopter will continue to work with
other certification authorities around the globe. Through the flight test
program, the Bell 505 underwent rigorous certification activities and achieved
more than 1,000 flight test hours. The Bell Helicopter Training Academy is also
prepared for entry into service with customer training, and the flight training
device and coursework are all on track.
“Customer response for the Bell 505 has been
outstanding, and we look forward to seeing the aircraft perform all the various
missions it’s equipped for around the world,” added Snyder.
The Bell 505 offers operators many advantages
including the Safran Helicopter Engines (HE) Arrius 2R engine that incorporates
the dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) that delivers
exceptional performance and reduces pilot workload. A first-in-class fully
integrated Garmin G1000H flight deck features dual 10.4-inch (26.4 cm) displays,
which provide critical flight information for crews at a glance. Through Bell
Helicopter’s high inertia rotor system, Bell Helicopter has demonstrated
throughout the flight test program exceptional autorotation capability that is
part of the Jet Ranger legacy.
With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and
useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is designed to be safe and
easy to fly while providing significant value to the operator. The
customer-driven design of the aircraft places safety, performance and
affordability at the forefront, blending proven systems with advanced technology
and a sleek, modern design.
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