New Bell Ringing
“The reason we started investigating the Bell 505 was because our previous fleet of Gazelles was about 35 years old and had justifiably retired,” Boskovic explains. “As we had worked with Bell Helicopters in the past, we decided to continue working with them for the new segment of helicopters we need for military training and for search and rescue.”
With the new 505, the fleet now operates four helicopters: a Bell 412-EP, two Bell 412-EPIs, and the newest Bell 505. The air force also has a twin-engine Cessna 421- B. The Ministry of Defence plans to add a second Bell 505 to the fleet next year.
Montenegro is known as an easygoing
country. A Montenegrin tongue-in-cheek saying is, “If you have the urge to work, sit down, wait, and you’ll see it pass.” The country’s helicopter unit does not adhere to that saying. “Our main business is maintaining an optimal level of combat readiness and active cooperation with allies and partners, performing surveillance and protection of the sovereignty of Montenegrin airspace, providing air support to the armed forces of Montenegro and partner countries, and providing support to Montenegrin civilian institutions,” Blagojevic says. “In our facilities, we offer logistic support to allies and partners, such as standing positions for aircrafts on our military apron, refueling and APU (on request), classroom and office spaces, and accommodations for up to 35 people, medical support, and weather services.
Of course all these mentioned capacities also are in use by our own Montenegrin Air Force.”
The Montenegrin Helicopter Unit consists of 25 pilots. When asked about their most interesting pilot experience, they agreed it was the procurement of the new Bell 412 helicopters and their first flights on the platform. The Bell 505 also left a positive impression with pilots, including Maj. Sencic. “My first contact with the Bell 505 was in France,” Maj. Sencic recalls. “We decided on the 505 due to its price, quality and the technical specifications such as the FADEC (full authority digital engine control) and modern avionics. Up to this moment, it is exceeding our expectations.” He adds that the Bell 505 will be used in different ways for military training, and also
With the addition of the new Bell 505, the Montenegrin Helicopter Unit has four helicopters in operational use.
50 Nov/Dec 2020
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