In its 90-year history, Bell has trained more than 130,000 pilots and mechanics including the first U.S. Army pilots in 1946. To date, the Bell 505 serves as the premier training platform for militaries in Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Indonesia, Iraq and South Korea, preparing pilots for mission readiness in modern warfare, according to a corporate press statement.
Since its introduction in 2017, the Bell 505 has accumulated more than 300k flight hours and operates in more than 55 countries across six continents. Based on the proven Bell 206L-4 drivetrain, the Bell 505 brings that familiar feel of its predecessor and elevates it with intuitive avionics, supreme handling and fuel efficiency, supported by a global network of trusted specialists in their respective fields for MRO, simulator training and innovation.
The Bell 505 experience enables cadets to learn the basic principles of flight and their instructors to focus on teaching. Reassuringly predictable in its handling and performance, the platform is not only forgiving, with a rotor system that allows for longer reaction times, it’s responsive and stable, even in turbulence or challenging terrain. Metal rotor blades with high inertia allow for excellent auto-rotational capability – giving great lift with minimal drag.
Superior power
The powerful Safran Arrius 2R engine is equipped with dual-channel FADEC – the only one of its kind in its class – and offers supreme fuel efficiency and superior power at altitude. These and so many elements that have been carefully considered, combine to build confidence in pilots.
Single-pilot flight can happen from the left or right seat in the front, with plenty of room for pilots with headsets, helmets and NVGs. The open cabin design, with its stadium seating for passengers in the back, means that students can follow what is happening from all seats, maximizing the training capability for that classroom in the sky feel. The surrounding glass cockpit also allows optimal visibility all round.
Most recently, Bell added additional capability through its sister company, TRU Simulation™, by offering comprehensive training in a simulated environment that combines real-world experience with advanced technology. The Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator, paired with the Bell 505, is FAA Level 7 qualified and sets a new standard for military aviation readiness.
