Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Bell Helicopter has completed the first flight of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter at its manufacturing facility in Mirabel, Québec, Canada.

During the 30-minute flight, the helicopter performed a low-speed controllability assessment and flew two laps in the local traffic pattern at a top speed of 60k.

Bell Helicopter senior flight test pilot Yann Lavalle said: "The Bell 505 performed exactly as anticipated."

Designed based on inputs by a Customer Advisory Council, the Jet Ranger X is a five-seat, single-engine, turbine helicopter that is claimed to be safer and easier to fly than other variants in its category.

Powered by the Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine, the rotorcraft features Garmin G1000H Integrated Avionics Suite equipped cockpit, and a full authority digital engine control to reduce pilot workload.

Other safety features include a high-inertia rotor system for autorotation capabilities and the helicopter has a cruise speed of more than 125k with a range of more than 360nm.

"The Bell 505 performed exactly as anticipated."

The company has to date received over 240 letters of intent for the new rotorcraft.

Bell Helicopter commercial programmes senior vice-president Matt Hasik said: "Bell Helicopter pioneered the short light single market, and here we are nearly 50 years later, changing the way the world flies once again."

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is designed to cater to various segments, including utility segment, corporate and private owners, and training schools.

Bell Helicopter is also developing the Bell 525 Relentless, the first-of-its-kind commercial fly-by-wire helicopter, and the Bell V-280 Valor tilt rotor for the Department of Defense Future Vertical Lift.

Image: During the flight, the Jet Ranger X performed a low-speed controllability assessment and flew two laps in the local traffic. Photo: courtesy of Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Defence Technology