BELL DELIVERS FIRST LAW ENFORCEMENT-CONFIGURED BELL 505 JRX

The first law enforcement-configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to the Sacramento Police Department.

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced the delivery of the first law enforcement-configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to the Sacramento Police Department.

“The Bell 505 delivers best-in-class visibility, and the aircraft’s advanced avionics and cost of operations make it the choice aircraft for law enforcement operations. Bell is proud to support the Sacramento Police Department and provide reliable aircraft for the important mission of global law enforcement agencies.”

Jay Ortiz, Senior Vice President, the AmericasBell outfitted the Sacramento Police Department’s Bell 505 with several law enforcement provisions, including high skid gear and forward/aft hard points for mounting equipment. The aircraft also features additional equipment including a 15” monitor with moving map system, loudhailer, MX-10 EO/IR Sensor and Trakka Beam Searchlight.“The Bell 505 will be invaluable in critical calls for service when minutes matter and will allow us to best protect the citizens of Sacramento,” said Sergeant Randy Van Dusen of the Sacramento Police Department’s Air Operations Team. “The ergonomic seats allow the pilot and tactical flight officer to fly for hours comfortably, and the large windows allow for greater visibility that makes searching for suspects and missing persons easier.”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.

BELL APPOINTS INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN NORTH AMERICA

Bell announced HelicoStore, a Quebec based company, as the first Independent Representative in Canada.

“Bell’s independent representative family allows us to BEST serve our customers around the world and we believe our friends at HelicoStore will be a great addition to this network allowing us to ENHANCE our customer experience and expand our commercial business footprint in Canada,” said Anthony Moreland, managing director, North America.

HelicoStore was established in 1992 and continues to work with both private and corporate helicopter pilots. They offer turn-key financing, operating and sales solutions for both new and existing helicopter owners.

“We have been working closely with HelicoStore for a few years now and this announcement is the culmination of a very strong and strategic relationship between our two companies,” added Jason Moir, Regional Sales manager, Canada. “Their addition to the bell family will bring an added element of flexibility and creativity to our sales process as we look to expand our presence in the private, corporate and utility sectors across Eastern Canada.”

With more than 100 Bell 505s currently in operation, the aircraft continues to garner attention from customers around the world.

“We have been operating our Bell 505 Jet Ranger X for Just over a year and we have seen an overwhelmingly positive customer response to the performance, technology and modern look of the aircraft,” said Jean-Charles Emter, President and CEO, HelicoStore.  “We believe we will have tremondeous success working along side Bell selling their exceptional aircraft to our Canadian customers.”

BELL 505 LANDS IN KENYA

With over 100 Bell 505s already delivered around the world already being used for many different missions, the aircraft has now officially made it to Kenya

With more than 100 Bell 505s already delivered around the world already being used for many different missions, the aircraft has now officially made it to Kenya. Earlier this month, Bell Independent Representative, Africair, delivered the first Bell 505 to KIDL Operations in Kenya, one of the fastest growing operators in East Africa specializing in executive transport.

The aircraft was shipped from Bell’s facility in Mirabel, Canada to Africair Helicopter Support Limited (AHSL), a newly established Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Authorized Maintenance Organization where the aircraft was reassembled. This Bell 505 was the first work in the newly established facility, located in Ruiru. 

After re-assembly, the Bell 505 was flown by KIDL CEO, Captain Marco Brighetti Wilson Airport in Nairobi to begin VIP transport operations.  

Bell is excited that the aircraft has landed in Kenya and we are looking forward to having many more flying all over the continent. Stay tuned for updates on the Bell 505 entering the market Africa.

Bell 505 – Heavy Duty Performance and Maximum Flexibility

When you need to lift heavy cargo, the Bell 505 is ready to take on your toughest jobs. The Bell 505 is now TCCA/FAA certified to lift up to 2,000lbs/907kg making it the best-in-class for external load operations.

In April, Rangtikei Helicopters took delivery of its first Bell 505 Jet Ranger X with the cargo hook. They use their new Bell for agriculture hook operations comprising of lifting and spreading multiple loads of fertilizer from trucks onto the steep, hill country of New Zealand with 1,708 lbs/775 kg total hook loads. In addition, they plan to use their aircraft for general utility flights and air transport.

Bell Completes 100th Delivery of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

On Tuesday, June 26, Bell completed its 100th delivery of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to Hunt Companies for corporate travel. Bell revealed its first customer delivery for the Bell 505 at HAI Heli-Expo 2017 and continues to receive international interest. Before the delivery, Mirabel facility employees gathered around the aircraft to commemorate this milestone.

Behind every aircraft delivery is a team of dedicated engineers and employees, designing and building a premium quality aircraft. From the testing of gear boxes to painting a fresh coat of color, every employee at our facilities plays an important role in aircraft development and exceptional quality continuity. Bell Textron President, Cynthia Garneau and Executive Vice President of Integrated Operations, Paul Watts recognized this fact by congratulating the Mirabel facility for this achievement.

In the past few months, the Bell 505 made an appearance at Black Sea Aerospace and Defense in Bucharest, Romania, flew through scenic Alaska and even showed famous Manchester United striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy around Cambodia. With customer deliveries happening worldwide from Mexico to Poland and Czech Republic to New Zealand, the aircraft continues to complete significant missions on global scale.

To hear more news about the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, follow Bell on all social channels!

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.

Here's Why Jet Owners Need a Helicopter, Bell Flight

Helicopters are extremely versatile aircraft that complete extraordinary operations each day. From assisting with executive travel to rescuing people stranded in oceans and mountains, there are many missions that require the use of vertical lift aircraft.

They are also excellent forms of private and corporate travel. Owners rely on jets for fast travel to important events to save time and increase efficiency. While fixed-wing aircraft is essential for long-distance trips, adding a helicopter to a corporate or personal flight department will provide the following benefits:

- Security and Privacy: Helicopters enable passengers to work and converse in private, eliminating chances for eavesdropping and decreasing passenger visibility. This method of travel is ideal for protecting confidentiality.

- Accessibility to Limited Areas: Jets require runways, which are not always available. Helicopters reach certain locations that are not accessible with fixed-wing aircraft. Having a helicopter will ensure that no location is unreachable. Not to mention that helicopters can land in backyards, near stadiums or on rooftops taking you directly to your destination as opposed to solely an airport.

- Saves Time and Achieves Goals: Take a lesson from professional NASCAR driver Kurt Busch who used Bell helicopters to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. He used a Bell 407 to fly from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to his jet, which took him to Concord, North Carolina where he flew in a Bell 429 from the airport to the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. By successfully racing in both races and becoming the fourth NASCAR driver in history to achieve this feat, he proved that important goals can be reached when using a helicopter during a limited time frame. Not everyone will become one of the few drivers to compete in two races, but helicopter owners will save time they need to reach significant milestones and make great things happen, either in business or in life.

- Saving Money - Always a Bonus: If you travel frequently, either for business or personal travel, the productivity and cost savings of utilizing a helicopter will benefit you. Figuring how much time you and your colleagues spend on commercial airlines, purchasing a helicopter will save you money in the long run, not to mention the convenience of reaching your destination in about a third of the time. View the chart below to see how much your business can save with a helicopter purchase.

If colleagues are flying from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, traveling in a Bell helicopter could save them over $38,000 in time saved. Also, the passengers can continue to work or even host a meeting during flight increasing productivity compared to commercial travel, resulting in 61.6 productivity hours.

Bell Helicopter delivers top of the line products to our customers and ensures that every ride is efficient, comfortable and safe. Our products are designed to complement all business and personal needs and offer convenience and comfort to every passenger.

For all jet owners, the only choice to make now is to find out which Bell helicopter suits your needs. Click the links below for more information on each product:

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X: Soon appear in nearly every corner of the world, this is the aircraft needed for a budget friendly, yet fast helicopter travel. The 505 fits four passengers comfortably and can be configured to accommodate VIP passengers, owners and operators. Need a quick ride to the airport to meet your jet? This is the helicopter for you.

Bell 407 GXP: The 407 GXP has a corporate interior and is exceptionally quiet during flight. Six passengers can comfortably fit inside the aircraft and experience the smoothest ride in its class. 

Bell 429: Always a photo-favorite, this visually stunning helicopter includes a spacious cabin that fits up to seven passengers and combines sleek exterior lines and meticulously crafted interiors for a comfortable in-flight experience.

Bell 525 Relentless: When traveling with your business team, family or with a group of friends, the 525 accommodates large groups with comfortable, luxurious spacing and low noise. Seating up to 20 passengers, depending on your needs, the 525 can also be outfitted with the most luxurious cabin interior on the market today, the Mecaer VVIP interior, deluxe seating that sets the 525 apart from any other VIP aircraft.