Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), announced the signing of purchase agreements for five Bell 505 helicopters to private operators in Europe. The new orders, placed by customers in Spain, Switzerland, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Estonia, highlight the growing demand for the Bell 505 platform in the region.
“Globally, the Bell 505 has been a widespread success in the corporate market and has made significant strides here in Europe,” said Danny Maldonado, Chief Commercial Officer for Commercial Sales. “Last year, Bell delivered the 505th Bell 505. We’re thrilled to build on this progress and continue highlighting the platform throughout this key region.”
The Bell 505 features a Safran Arrius 2R engine, dual-channel FADEC, and the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite. Its large, customizable cabin provides an elevated experience for both pilots and passengers, with superb visibility through its glass cockpit and panoramic views from the comfortable stadium seating arrangement, where the rear rows are slightly elevated above the front. This enhanced visibility makes the Bell 505 ideal for private flights, pilot training, and aerial utility missions.
At the HAI Heli-Expo 2024, Bell announced that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had certified Garmin’s GFC™ 600H flight control system on the Bell 505, allowing European customers to utilize autopilot capabilities on this platform. Additionally, in February 2024, Bell received a supplemental type certificate from the FAA for an auxiliary fuel system, further enhancing the Bell 505’s versatility and appeal.
These developments underscore Bell Textron Inc.’s commitment to advancing the capabilities and market reach of the Bell 505 in Europe and beyond.
