Bell Helicopter development efforts will continue on three key rotorcraft in 2017: the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X (light single), the Bell 525 Relentless (super-medium twin), and the Bell V-280 Valor (military tiltrotor).
The Bell 505 is aimed at the corporate and parapublic markets. It offers a highly configurable cabin with room for five occupants, 125 knots maximum cruising speed, and a state-of-the-art Garmin G1000 glass avionics suite.
In anticipation of a yet to be announced delivery date, the company has moved Bell 505 production to its plant in Mirabel, Quebec, where the three Bell 505 prototypes were assembled and flight-tested. The Mirabel production line “is up and running,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. “We are nearing certification for the 505,” he noted. In fact, Bell received Transport Canada certification for the 505 in late December 2016.
Regarding the Bell 525, it is designed for the corporate/VIP, HEMS, and parapublic
52 Jan/Feb 2017
markets. It has space for up to 20 people, 162 knots maximum cruise speed with a range of 570 nautical miles, and an ARC Horizon flight deck. However, its development has not been without tragedy. According to a preliminary NTSB report:
“On July 6, 2016, about 1148 central daylight time, an experimental Bell 525 helicopter, N525TA, broke up inflight and impacted terrain near Italy, Texas. The two pilots onboard were fatally injured and the
helicopter was destroyed. The
flight originated from Arlington, Texas, as a developmental flight test and was conducted
under the provisions of 14
Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.”
[Note: Rotorcraft Pro’s thoughts and prayers go out to the two test pilots and their families. The selfless bravery such pilots consistently display in advancing rotorcraft flight benefits us all.]
Bell Helicopter told Rotorcraft Pro that flight testing has been suspended for the 525, but “all non-flight related certification and program activities are continuing, such as sustainment planning, engagement
with certification authorities, component testing, major structural and dynamics test, upgrades to our systems integration lab, and production improvements.”
At this time, Bell Helicopter does not have an estimate as to when flight testing might resume, nor does it yet know the length of delay in certification or first deliveries. “We remain committed to the 525 program and are taking this process very seriously, which will result in a safe, reliable, and high performance helicopter when it comes to market,” the company stated.
Regarding the Bell V-280, the company’s third-generation tiltrotor aircraft is scheduled to make its first flight sometime in 2017. With the ability to take off like a helicopter and fly like a twin-engine propellor airplane, the V-280 cruises at 280 knots and has a range of 500-800 nautical miles, depending on configuration and load. It can carry four crew members, and up to 14 passengers.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86
