BELL 505 JET RANGER X RECEIVES CERTIFICATION FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE OPERATIONS

Type Certification expansion is announced following the completion of high-altitude performance testing in Nepal

Fort Worth, TX (4 June 2019) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today Type Certification for performance information expansion at up to 22,500 feet density altitude, setting the bar for high altitude operations for aircraft in its class.

“The Bell 505 is the most advanced short light single helicopter in the world, and we are proud to bring more performance to our operator’s missions,” said LaShan Bonaparte, program director, Bell 505 and Bell 429. “High-altitude demonstrations are another testament to the aircraft’s ability to perform in the most demanding environments, across a variety of segments.”

This spring, the Bell 505 showcased several performance capabilities during a successful high-altitude flight test demonstration in Nepal. Testing efforts included numerous take offs and landings at density altitudes between 18,000 and 18,500 feet as well as the evaluation of landings with the loss of control system hydraulic boost.

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.

The Bell 505 has crossed the 13,000-flight hour mark and is flying across six continents.

EL BELL 505 CONTINUA SU EXPANSIÓN GLOBAL

Con más de 150 helicópteros entregados en todo el mundo, el Bell 505 está demostrando su excelente rendimiento en EBACE 2019.

  

21 de mayo de 2019, EBACE - Bell Helicopter, una compañía de Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), anunció la firma de un nuevo acuerdo de compra para el Bell 505 con la austríaca HUBI-FLY, y la reciente certificación de la aeronave en Ucrania y Rusia. Con más de 150 unidades del monomotor entregadas en todo el mundo, el monomotor bipala ya está demostrando su excelente rendimiento.

"El Bell 505 es realmente una leyenda reimaginada, y estamos contentos de exhibir la aeronave durante la celebración de EBACE. Esperamos dar la bienvenida a más clientes a la familia Jet Ranger, además de HUBI-FLY, y hacer de este helicóptero un elemento básico para los vuelos corporativos y turísticos en el viejo continente". Duncan Van de Velde, director general de Bell para Europa.

Para respaldar el crecimiento del Bell 505, el año pasado Bell aprobó Helideal, un Centro de capacitación certificado (CTF, Certified Training Facility) para ampliar su oferta de habilitación global en Europa. Helideal es también un representante independiente de Bell con sede en el sur de Francia, ofrece el más alto nivel de entrenamiento para pilotos del Bell 505 con la certificación de la renombrada Bell Training Academy.

El Bell 505 Jet Ranger X incorpora nueva tecnología en aviónica. Su fiabilidad, velocidad, rendimiento y maniobrabilidad están integradas en un diseño de piso plano y cabina abierta, posibilitando su configuración para una amplia variedad de misiones y cargas útiles.

El nuevo interior de Mecaer Aviation para el Bell 505 en versión VIP ya está disponible para clientes de todo el mundo, incluye una amplia variedad de materiales y configuraciones de asientos bajo un lujoso diseño adaptable a cualquier estilo personal. Los múltiples espacios de almacenamiento y las opciones de ajuste crean funcionalidad y sofisticación. Este nuevo interior aporta un valor añadido a nuestros clientes y diferencia al 505 dentro del segmento de los helicópteros ligeros.

VIETNAM LAUNCHES TOURISM FLIGHTS OVER ICONIC HA LONG BAY WITH BELL 505 JRX HELICOPTERS

"We are proud to be part of this historic milestone for Vietnam."

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam (May 10, 2019) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNH North), a subsidiary of state-owned helicopter operator Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, has launched the first ever helicopter tourism flights with the Bell 505 in Vietnam’s iconic Ha Long Bay.

Vietnam Helicopter Corporation and VNH North operate a fleet of modern helicopters providing utility and transport services across several industries such as oil and gas, tourism, air ambulance, search and rescue and VIP transportation. The company plans to offer point to point transfers from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, charter flights, wedding photography and aerial surveys with the Bell 505 helicopters.

“WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR VIETNAM. The BELL 505 IS A GREAT AIRCRAFT FOR TOURISM AND IS ALREADY FLYING TOURISTS IN AUSTRALIA, CAMBODIA, INDONESIA AND NOW VIETNAM.”

- David Sale, Bell managing director, Asia Pacific

VNH North has also selected to opt into Bell’s Customer Advantage Plans (CAP) at today’s ceremony. CAP provide customers with comprehensive coverage solutions for their daily operations. The plans offer a fixed cost per flight hour service option that protects customers’ budgets and their aircraft and increases aircraft availability at rates competitive to published direct maintenance costs.

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. Forward-facing seats and large windows give all passengers outstanding visibility during flight while large doors make boarding and loading cargo easier.

Appreciating Our BTA Instructors

The Bell Training Academy provides unparalleled training to the best of the best, offering a variety of technical, flight and operations learning experiences. We have a wide array of talented instructors, dedicated to educating customers on the complex world of rotorcraft maintenance and operations, which is why it’s only fitting that we celebrate these hardworking instructors during Teacher Appreciation Week.

We took the time to interview a few Bell instructors to see why they love what they do:

Ronnie Allen, Technical Instructor

My name is Ron Allen. I am a Technical Instructor at the Bell Training Academy.  I provide in-depth Electrical, Avionics and Autopilot theoretical and practical training on Bell 429, 407/407GX, 505 and 206 aircraft.  We teach regulated and non-regulated training at the Bell Training Academy, and also offsite at customer locations around the world.

What is the best part about teaching at the Bell Training Academy? 

The best part about teaching is watching the customer’s growth from a curious and eager student on the first day of class to a competent and experienced technician on the final day of class and knowing we are making a significant and important impact in the aviation community. We have a saying at the academy, “We train the world.”

What is your favorite new Bell value and why? 

My favorite new Bell value is “Thrill our Customers.” Customers are our business. New students arrive weekly at the academy, and we are in direct contact daily. It is our top priority to deliver exceptional training experiences to our customers that will thrill them today and tomorrow.

Billy Shue, Technical Instructor

My name is Billy Shue, I am a Technical Instructor for Bell Training Academy. My mission is to use my experience, as a helicopter maintenance technician, to provide students with innovative, world-class training that will enhance their ability to safely and efficiently troubleshoot, inspect, and perform or supervise maintenance on all of Bell’s light model helicopters.

What is the best part about teaching at the Bell Training Academy? 

The best part about teaching at the Bell Training Academy is the opportunity it gives me to talk with all the different types of owners, operators, and technicians that maintain our products.

What is your favorite new Bell value and why?

Thrill Our Customers. At the Bell Training Academy, we make it a priority to thrill our customers. We are always staying a step ahead, finding better ways to deliver an exceptional training experience to our students.  

Thank you to all our talented instructors for continuing to instill passion for rotorcraft aviation in others and carrying on the Bell legacy.

The Story Behind the First Production Bell 505 JRX

Pylon Aviation owner and renowned pilot, Scott Urschel, has been with the Bell 505 program from the very beginning.

29 May 2018

Pylon Aviation owner and renowned pilot, Scott Urschel, was excited to receive the first production Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. As one of the initial members of the Bell 505 Customary Advisory Council, Urschel provided valuable insight, helping shape the design and development of the Bell 505.

I could not be more pleased to receive the first Bell 505 and put the aircraft into service. I have been part of the Bell 505 program from the very beginning and have been anticipating this moment. 

- Scott Urscheh

Before delivery, he was able to test-fly the Bell 505 along with Bell pilots. Urschel's involvement allowed him to provide feedback from the perspective of an experience pilot and customer, which played an essential role in Bell's revolutionary return to the short light single market.

BELL 505 TO ASSIST IN RECOVERY OF MISSING US MILITARY PERSONNEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (8 February 2018) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the delivery of two Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters to Asian Aviation Resources Pte. Ltd. in Cambodia.

One of the helicopters, which will be operated by Helicopters Cambodia, will be used to facilitate the United States Department of Defense’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in their efforts to find missing US military personnel in Southeast Asia. The other helicopter will be used for tourism related charters.

“We are proud to play a role in the US DPAA’s noble mission to reunite missing United States military personnel with their families and to give an account to the nation. Once again, our thoughts and gratitude go out to all the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we as Americans enjoy today,” said Sameer A. Rehman, managing director of Bell Helicopter Asia Pacific. “We look forward to working with the DPAA and Helicopters Cambodia to ensure the success of both the DPAA and Helicopters Cambodia’s missions throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.”

The reliability, speed, performance, and maneuverability of the Bell 505 is integrated with a flat floor, open cabin that is configurable for a wide variety of missions and payloads. The spacious cabin can be configured to carry up to four passengers or configured for internal cargo missions by removing quick disconnect rear cabin seats and/or copilot seat. The Bell 505’s flat floor cabin design and large rectangular baggage compartment lets the Bell 505 adapt to the ever-changing mission needs. These features combined with a proven and reliable drivetrain and rotor system make the Bell 505 a true multi-mission aircraft in the short light single-engine market.

Global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul: Building Legacies and Expanding Our Reach

Because Our Business Includes Servicing Aircraft, As Well As Selling It

Part of building a global customer base requires establishing high-caliber customer service facilities (CSFs) and partnering with the best aviation facilities all throughout the world. Recently, our own facilities in Miami, FL and Piney Flats, TN reached a significant milestone by achieving FAA 145 certification for the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. This certification allows our facilities to fully service our latest addition to the short light single-engine market.

Ever since the Bell 505’s introduction to the market, the versatile aircraft exceeded expectations and received high demand on a global scale. But bringing a new, fresh take to the Jet Ranger family is not enough. This new generation of aircraft will need excellent facilities to ensure its long-lasting legacy, just like the original Bell 206 Jet Ranger. And an FAA 145 certification is another step to building this legacy.

Another component to successful after-market business is empowering customers to be our boots on the ground for Bell aircraft maintenance. To expand our customer service and support range, we are connecting with international aviation partners to develop their business into an Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC). Similar to CSFs, they will offer helicopter maintenance to customers in these regions for an affordable price and allow other customers to have easier access to first-rate care. At HAI Heli – Expo 2018, Bell announced that Rocky Mountain Rotors Maintenance in Montana, U.S. and Reignwood Investments in China will be the launch customers for the AMC network.

By reaching certification milestones and creating more accessible aircraft maintenance care, our Aftermarket team is building meaningful connections with customers even after a sale is made. Because for Bell, aircraft maintenance means giving you exceptional aircraft performance for a long-lasting period – no matter where you are in the world or what Bell helicopter you have.

Flying High in Dubai With The Bell 505

One of the perks of owning a yacht is the ability to access new and exciting places, as long as these places border a waterway. When they don’t, that’s when a helicopter can help you reach unchartered areas. As a premier travel destination that welcomes tourists from all over the world, Dubai is also growing into a yachting hub. The Mediterranean and Caribbean coasts are the typical hotspots for massive boats and yachts to drop their anchor, but Dubai is becoming more and more attractive to this community. The city boasts high – end luxury resorts and a variety of activities from indoor skiing to desert dinner experiences. From oil and gas to engineering and manufacturing, the booming business in this region is drawing more people in from all over the globe.  

Enjoying time on your yacht near the marina and participating in these immersion activities can be made a lot easier with a Bell 505. The Bell 505 packs a big punch in a small frame which will allow you to maximize your travel experiences. With a glass cockpit and an open interior, passengers possess full visibility of their surroundings. For a city as gorgeous as Dubai, with sprawling desert around it, the enhanced visibility is an added bonus.

As a light single aircraft, the Bell 505 is a perfect fit for all sized yachts. It can be used to bring guests arriving at the nearby airport aboard the ship, or even for a last-minute trip to shore to grab extra motor oil, ingredients for a chef or a bottle of champagne. When it comes to the weather in the United Arab Emirates, the hot and dry temperatures don’t stop Bell products from losing their peak performance. Bell's large presence throughout the Middle East proves this fact. Bell 412s have served as the quintessential aircraft being used for offshore oil transport, and the Horizon Flight Academy regularly trains pilots in Bell 407s. With the Bell 505’s recent entry into market, this member of the Bell family is already receiving significant interest in this region.

You can learn more about the small yet luxurious aircraft, perfect for yacht travel, at the Dubai International Boat Show. Also, all Dubai travelers or tourists can also view the Bell 505 in the VIP Terminal of Al Maktoum International Airport until March 7.