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Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X (JRX) is an American/Canadian light helicopter developed and manufactured by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 505 was unveiled at the 2013 Paris Airshow in June 2013 as the Bell SLS (Short Light Single). The Bell 505 designation was officially announced in February 2014. Its first flight occurred on November 11, 2014. The helicopter was certified by Transport Canada in December 2016. By 2023 about 500 have been sold, popular uses so far include for personal, sightseeing, law enforcement, and training.

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
Bell 505 in 2018
Role Light helicopter
National origin United States / Canada
Manufacturer Bell Textron
First flight November 10, 2014[1]
Introduction March 7, 2017
Status In service
Produced 2014-present
Number built 505 (November 2023)

Design and development

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A Bell 505 mockup in 2015
 
Bell 505 on trailer, 2017
 
Cabin with doors open
 
A Bell 505 belonging to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office

The helicopter was unveiled at the 2013 Paris Airshow on June 17, 2013, as the Bell SLS (Short Light Single). The model designation was later announced at HAI Heli-Expo 2014 in Anaheim, California on February 25, 2014.[2][3][4]

The Bell 505 is a "clean sheet" design, but uses some dynamic components, such as the rotor system,[5] of the Bell 206L-4.[6] The airframe is constructed of metal and composites, and has a 22-square-foot (2.04 m2) flat floor and an 18-cubic-foot (0.51 m3) luggage bay.[7] The Safran Arrius 2R is used with a dual-channel FADEC and a 3,000-hour Time-between-overhaul.[8] The 505 cockpit is equipped with the Garmin G1000H glass avionics suite.[7][9][10] Various options such as a cargo hook are available.[5]

Main production started in 2016[5] in an 82,300-square-foot (7,646 m2), $26.3 million hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana,[11] but the tooling was created for assembly in different places in the world.[8] Louisiana offered $8 million in support for 250 new jobs,[11] and started construction of the factory in August 2014 which was then leased to Bell.[12] The factory opened in August 2015.[13]

On May 19, 2016, Bell Helicopter CEO Mitch Snyder announced changes to the production supply chain that included relocating the Bell 505 production to Bell Helicopter's assembly and distribution center in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. The Lafayette Assembly Center, which was specifically designed to manufacture and deliver the 505, will instead complete Bell 525 sub-assemblies and perform work on Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout UAVs.[14]

Initial assembly, flight testing and certification started in Canada while the factory was being built in the US.[5] First flight went to 60 knots on November 11, 2014,[3] and the second test aircraft flew in February 2015.[15] Bell said they had 240 letters of intent (LOI) (50 from Europe) for the 505 in October 2014,[16] and in November Chinese tourism operator Reignwood increased their LOI from 10 to 60 of the type.[17] In August 2015, Bell had 350 letters of intent.[13]

Certification by Transport Canada[18] was awarded on December 21, 2016.[19][20] In the US, it was certified in June 2017.[21][22]

In 2023, The Bell 505 was the first single-engine helicopter to fly using SAF fuel.[23]

Sales, production and operations

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The first customer aircraft was delivered on March 7, 2017, to a private operator in Arizona, United States.[24] In February 2018, the first 505 was delivered to Japan.[25] The first 505 configured for law enforcement was delivered in 2018 to the Sacramento Police Department in California;the Police version has a number of enhancements including an Electro-Optic/Infrared sensor, searchlight, loudhailer, external hardpoints, and a higher skid gear.[24]

The Bell 505 has become a military training helicopter for several countries by 2023, including South Korea,Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, UAE, Montenegro, and Jordan.[26]

The 505 was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in June 2017 and received high altitude certification (22,500 feet density altitude) in June 2019.[27][28][29] Bell delivered the 100th 505 Jet Ranger X in June 2018,[30] and the 200th in August 2019.[31] 360 (March 2022)[32] By November 2023, the 505th Bell 505 was delivered.[33]

Accidents and incidents

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  • On 3 March 2019 a Bell 505 crashed shortly after taking off from Central Island National Park, Kenya. The pilot and four passengers were killed in the accident. Kyle Forti, an American political consultant, was one of the passengers that died in the crash.[34][35]
  • In 2022, on investigation of a fan shaft bearing failure lead to failure of tail shaft incident in Queensland, the Australian Authorities could not find deeper issue working with Bell, but did note that add mechanical sounds can be a sign of imminent hardware failure.[36]
  • In early 2023, State-owned Vietnam Helicopters had a crash in the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, with five fatalities; this led to a suspension by the Civil Aviation Authority of heli tours in Vietnam.[37][38] The Vietnamese Ministry of Transport established a probe into the crash.[39] Hundreds of searchers were mobilized and the black box from the crashed Bell 505 was successfully recovered in April 2023.[40] The helicopter crashed in the water about 50 meters/yards from a fishing boat, and witness reported the helicopter was making a croaking sound and spiraling, before it impacted the water and exploded.[41] Bell and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada was in contact with the Vietnamese CAAV to aid for assistance; at the time of the crash the helicopter was flight certified in Vietnam, and also the US, Canada, and Europe.[42] The helicopter was flown by a pilot with a valid commercial license in Vietnam, who had successfully flown over 2600 trips, it was one of two Bell 505 operated by the sightseeing airline.[43]
  • A Bell 505 JRX crashed near Killucan, County Westmeath, Ireland on 30 July 2024. The helicopter's two occupants died in the crash.[44][45]

Operators

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At Stockholm Bromma Airport, Sweden

Partial listing

  Angola
  • BestFly Airline, delivered in 2022.[46]
  Australia
  • Nautilus Aviation, received 2 in 2018.[47]
  Bahrain
  Canada
  Ethiopia
  • Delivered in 2021[49]
  Indonesia
  Iraq
  Jamaica
  Jordan
  Japan
  South Korea
  • Used as trainer by South Korean Army and Navy from 2023 .[56][57][26]
  Montenegro
  Nepal
  New Zealand
  • Oceania Aviation, delivered in 2018[61]
  Uganda
  Singapore
  • Systematic Aviation Services[63]
 
A Bell 505 in Singapore
 
Bell 505 Jetranger X of Heli Alps at EBACE 2019, Switzerland
  Switzerland
  United States
  Vietnam

Future operators

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Specifications

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Data from Jet Ranger X[76]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot[9]
  • Capacity: four passengers[9]
  • Length: 42 ft 5 in (12.93 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
  • Empty weight: 2,180 lb (989 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,680 lb (1,669 kg) (Internal load), 4,475 lb (2,030 kg) (external load)
  • Useful load: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft, 505 shp (377 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
  • Main rotor area: 1,075 sq ft (99.9 m2)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 144 mph (232 km/h, 125 kn) (max cruise)
  • Range: 383 mi (617 km, 333 nmi) at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)
  • Service ceiling: 18,610 ft (5,670 m) at 3,680 lb (1,670 kg)

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ Williams, Tom A., ed. (December 2014). "Bell 505 First Flight". Rotorcraft Report. Rotor & Wing. Access Intelligence. pp. 10–11. ISSN 1066-8098. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  2. ^ Perry, Dominic (July 23, 2014). "Bell targets mid-November for Jet Ranger X first flight". Flightglobal. London. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Perry, Dominic (November 11, 2014). "Maiden sortie for Bell's new 505 Jet Ranger X". Flightglobal. London. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "Back to the Lights". Vertical. MHL Publishing. February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d Maher, Guy R. (July 21, 2014). "Bell gives 505 JetRanger X update". Vertical. MHL Publishing. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  6. ^ Maher, Guy R. (April 24, 2017). "Back in the Game: The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X". Vertical. MHL Publishing. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Bell Helicopter to Equip New Short Light Single Aircraft with Garmin G1000H Integrated Avionics System" (Press release). Fort Worth, TX: Textron. September 24, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Mark, Huber; Dubois, Thierry (August 3, 2013). "Bell Reveals more on 'short light single'". AINonline. AIN Publications. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c "Bell 505 Jet Ranger X webpage". Bell Helicopter, February 2014.
  10. ^ Dubois, Thierry (June 17, 2013). "Bell Launches Light Single to Compete with Robinson R66, Eurocopter EC120". Rotor & Wing. Access Intelegence. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Bell Helicopter Announces New Helicopter Assembly Facility in Louisiana" (Press release). Lafayette, LA: Textron. December 10, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  12. ^ "Gov. Jindal And Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison Announce Construction Start For Louisiana Helicopter Assembly Facility" (Press release). Lafayette, LA: Louisiana Economic Development. August 27, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Kauh, Elaine (August 27, 2015). "Bell's Jet Ranger Assembly Plant Opens In Louisiana". AVweb. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  14. ^ "Bell Helicopter Announces Program Relocations to Optimize Manufacturing Capabilities" (Press release). Fort Worth, TX: Bell Helicopter. May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  15. ^ "Bell 505's Second Flight Test Vehicle Achieves First Flight" (Press release). Fort Worth, TX: Textron. February 25, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  16. ^ Johnson, Oliver; Head, Elan (October 15, 2014). "Bell CEO outlines European growth plan". Vertical. MHL Publishing. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  17. ^ Hashim, Fridaus (November 12, 2014). "Reignwood signs LOI for 50 Bell 505s". Flightglobal. Singapore: Reed Business Information. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  18. ^ Huber, Mark (February 27, 2016). "Bell 505 Aims for Mid-year Certification". AINonline. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  19. ^ "Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Achieves Type Certification" (Press release). Fort Worth, TX: Bell Helicopter. December 21, 2016. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  20. ^ Bergqvist, Pia (December 21, 2016). "Bell's 505 Jet Ranger X Achieves Certification". Flying. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Bell Helicopter announces delivery of 3 Bell 505 Jet Ranger X aircraft to Canadian customers". Skies Mag. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  22. ^ "Bell 505 Jet Ranger X certified by FAA". Vertical Mag. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  23. ^ Wilder, Amy (February 22, 2023). "Bell 505 Becomes First Single-Engine Helicopter To Fly Using SAF". FLYING Magazine. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Bell Helicopter Delivers First Bell 505 Jet Ranger X" (Press release). Dallas, TX: Bell Helicopter. March 7, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  25. ^ Fredericks, Carey (February 8, 2018). "Bell delivers first 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters to Japan". Helicopters Magazine. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Rotorcraft, Mark Huber • Contributor-. "Bell Delivers First Batch of Forty 505 Helicopters to Korea | AIN". Aviation International News. Retrieved April 27, 2024. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ "Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Achieves FAA Certification" (Press release). Dallas, TX: Bell Helicopter. June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  28. ^ Grady, Mary (June 12, 2017). "Bell 505 Now FAA Certified". AVweb. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  29. ^ "Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Receives Certification for High-Altitude Operations". Bell newsroom. June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  30. ^ "Bell Completes 100th Delivery of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X" (Press release). Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. June 26, 2018.
  31. ^ "Bell delivers 200th 505 jet ranger X". Flightglobal. August 16, 2019.
  32. ^ "Bell Completes Delivery of Bell 505 to Beach Mosquito Control District". Bell newsroom. March 9, 2022.
  33. ^ Rotorcraft, Mark Huber • Contributor-. "Bell Delivers 505th Model 505 Jet Ranger X Turbine-single Helicopter | AIN". Aviation International News. Retrieved April 27, 2024. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ Luning, Ernest (March 5, 2019). "Colorado Springs political consultant dies in Kenya chopper crash". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  35. ^ "Accident Bell 505 Jet Ranger X 5Y-KDL, Sunday 3 March 2019". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  36. ^ "Tail rotor driveshaft failure demonstrates how unusual sounds and responses can be an indication of an imminent system failure".
  37. ^ Huber, Mark. "Vietnam Suspends Helitours After Fatal Crash | AIN". Aviation International News. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  38. ^ Yao, Mia (April 10, 2023). "Helicopter Crash Kills Four in Vietnam". Asian Sky Group. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  39. ^ "Vietnam to establish investigation committee over Bell-505 crash". VOV.VN. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  40. ^ VietnamPlus (April 6, 2023). "Flight recorder found after deadly helicopter crash | Society | Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)". VietnamPlus. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  41. ^ VnExpress. "Crashed helicopter exploded in the sea, fishermen say - VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  42. ^ VnExpress. "US manufacturer of fallen helicopter to assist investigation - VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  43. ^ "The Bell 505 helicopter that crashed in Quang Ninh was a Class A incident - Vietnam.vn". April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  44. ^ "Accident Bell 505 Jet Ranger X N57NC, Tuesday 30 July 2024". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  45. ^ "Two men die in helicopter crash in Co Westmeath". The Irish Times. July 30, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  46. ^ africairweb (November 30, 2022). "Delivery of first Bell 505 to West Africa". Africair, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  47. ^ "Bell Delivers First 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopters into Asia Pacific".
  48. ^ "Bell 505 Helicopters Delivered to the Kingdom of Bahrain".
  49. ^ Leeuwen, Marcel van (July 13, 2021). "BELL DELIVERS FIRST BELL 505 TO ETHIOPIA AVIATION NEWS International Aviation News, Airshow reports, Aircraft facts, worlds largest Aviation Museum database. Civillian, Military & Space, We cover it All". AVIATION NEWS. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  50. ^ Eugene, Tan (December 8, 2021). "Bell Delivers Two Bell 505 Helicopters to the Indonesian Navy". Bell newsroom. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  51. ^ "Farnborough 2024: Bell begins 505 deliveries to Iraq". Janes. July 25, 2024.
  52. ^ "Bell Announces Sale of Six Bell 505s to Jamaica Defence Force". Bell Textron. February 8, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  53. ^ Alport, Dave (April 2021). "Military News". Air International. Vol. 100, no. 4. p. 10. ISSN 0306-5634.
  54. ^ "The Royal Jordanian Air Force Receives Its First Five Bell 505 Ranger X Helicopters". Overt Defense. November 23, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  55. ^ Frain 2018, pp. 58–59
  56. ^ "Republic of Korea Selects Bell 505 as its New Military Helicopter Trainer". May 17, 2022.
  57. ^ "South Korea selects Bell's 505 helicopter for military training". May 23, 2022.
  58. ^ "Montenegro receives first Bell 505 helicopter". IHS Jane's. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  59. ^ Alport, Dave (April 2021). "Military News". Air International. Vol. 100, no. 4. p. 12. ISSN 0306-5634.
  60. ^ Cuenca, Oliver. "Simrik Air receives Bell 505". AirMed&Rescue. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  61. ^ "Second Bell 505 Jet Ranger X In New Zealand". Helicopter Investor. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  62. ^ Bar Aviation Uganda (October 26, 2023). "Rotary Wing Aircraft Fleet". BAR Aviation Uganda. Entebbe, Uganda. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  63. ^ "9M-RCI | Bell 505 Jet Ranger X | Systematic Aviation Services | ToanLa". JetPhotos. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  64. ^ Jones, Edward (March 19, 2021). "Exploring the Swiss Alps with a Bell 505". duPont REGISTRY News. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  65. ^ "HB-ZYN Bell 505 by swissheli.com". www.swissheli.com. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  66. ^ "Alameda County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit Begins Operating First Public Safety Configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X" (Press release). Fort Worth, TX: Bell Helicopter. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  67. ^ "Butte County Air Operations". Chico, CA: Butte County Sheriff's Office. May 20, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  68. ^ "One of Fort Worth's biggest companies built this helicopter for Fort Worth police". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  69. ^ Frain 2018, p. 58
  70. ^ "Stockton Police unveil Falcon One-Zero". Recordnet.
  71. ^ "LAFD Bell 505 Spotted in New Mexico | AerialFire Magazine". January 31, 2023.
  72. ^ "Florida's FWC signs for two Bell 505s".
  73. ^ "Vietnam launches tourism flights with Bell 505 Jet Ranger X". Vertical Mag. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  74. ^ VnExpress. "Tourist helicopter crashes in Vietnam, two dead - VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  75. ^ VnExpress. "Pilot's body found in tourist helicopter crash near Ha Long Bay - VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  76. ^ Frain 2018, p. 59
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