Bell Helicopter is gearing up for entry into service of the Bell 505 light single and is planning to deliver the first European-based Jet Ranger X next year.
The manufacturer is confident certification will happen by year-end – probably in November. Out of the letters of intent received for a total 400 units, 70 are earmarked for Europe, Jakub Hoda, Bell’s managing director for Europe and Russia, told Vertical during the Helitech 2016 show in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The two strongest market segments are said to be for private/corporate flights and training operations – civil and military.
Despite the widespread slump in helicopter sales, this year has been a good one for the company in Europe, according to Hoda. “We have grown our market share,” he said. The number of orders received as of today has surpassed 2015 sales.
Asked about selling helicopters in Airbus’ and Leonardo’s home countries, Hoda noted two Bell 429s are flying with a French commercial operator. “We came back and have invested heavily in Europe over the last five years,” he continued. Bell now has 20 authorized customer service centers in Europe.
In addition, the company opened a delivery center and two-bay paint facility at its location in Prague, Czech Republic, in May. This added to the facility’s maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities, making it Bell’s regional customization, delivery and aftermarket service center in Europe.
The first Bell 429 full flight simulator has been installed in Valencia, Spain, through a cooperation between Bell and TRU Simulation+Training (both Textron companies). The simulator will be certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency – at level D – in November, according to Ray Lamas, general manager, global customer training. Two experienced instructors have been hired, and the training facility will welcome its first customer early next year. Thanks to its location in southern Europe, Bell expects African customers to use it, too.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer is assisting the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation into the fatal crash of a Bell 525 prototype in July, Glenn Isbell, executive vice president for customer support and services, said. Non-flight test activities, such as fatigue testing, are continuing.
