SUCCESSFUL FIRST FLIGHT OF THE BELL 505 JET RANGER X

POSTED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2014

On November 10, Bell Helicopter announced the successful first flight of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter. The maiden flight took place at the Mirabel, Québec, manufacturing facility.

“The Bell 505 performed exactly as anticipated today,” said Yann Lavalle, senior flight test pilot at Bell Helicopter. “I am excited to be a part of the history of the Jet Ranger legacy, an aircraft that defined the market nearly 50 years ago.”

“We hovered in the Bell 505, performed a low-speed controllability assessment and flew two laps in the local traffic pattern. Our top speed today was 60 knots, and the entire flight lasted approximately 30 minutes,” added Eric Emblin, senior flight test pilot at Bell Helicopter.

Demand for this aircraft continues to grow – while at Airshow China in November, Bell Helicopter signed a purchase agreement with Reignwood Investment, Ltd., for 50 Bell 505 aircraft