First Bell 505 Jet Ranger X ordered in Bolivia

By Terry Spruce

July 19, 2016 11:20

Bell Helicopter has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Rodrigo Gutíerrez for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The helicopter will be used for personal corporate transport by Gutierrez.

The agreement was signed in Bolivia by Gutíerrez who owns and operates two large cattle ranches, five sugar cane farms and a sugar mill.

“We are pleased to sign for the Bell 505 and look forward to integrating the aircraft into our operations.”

“We are pleased to sign for the Bell 505 and look forward to integrating the aircraft into our operations,” said Gutíerrez. “We believe the aircraft will provide efficient transportation and high levels of visibility to oversee our business.”

The Bell 505 is close to gaining its certificate and is expected to achieve production status later this year.

“We are extremely proud to see the Bell 505 exceeding customers’ expectations in terms of anticipated performance, safety and advanced technology,” said Jay Ortiz, Bell Helicopter’s vice president of Latin America. “Bolivia is a key market within the Latin American region, and as more of our customers get to experience the aircraft and we near certification, we anticipate continued interest and momentum.”

Original article http://helicopterinvestor.com/articles/first-bell-505-jet-ranger-x-ordered-in-bolivia-789/?

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is Bell Helicopter’s new five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability through the use of advanced avionics technology. It incorporates proven dynamic components, advanced aerodynamic design, a dual channel FADEC Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine and best-in-class value.

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X cockpit will feature Garmin G1000H glass avionics. Photo: Mariano Rosales

Image @ainonline.com/

G1000

PFD

MFD

The G1000® is a completely integrated avionics system designed to fit a broad range of aircraft models. It‘s an all-glass flightdeck that presents flight instrumentation, location, navigation, communication, and identification data on large-format, high-resolution displays. The digital data presentation on the G1000 puts all flight-critical information literally at the pilot’s fingertips. Source @nexga.com

Image @konect-aviation.com

Turbomeca’s Arrius 2R engine

Arrius engines cover a power range of between 450 and 750 shp. They are intended for single and twin-engine helicopters weighing between 1.5 and 3.2 tonnes.

The Arrius features a simple and robust design. Two main modules, a reduction gearbox and a gas generator module, facilitate maintenance operations. Depending on the variant, Time Between Overhaul (TBO) is between 3,000 and 4,000 hours.

It comprises a single-stage centrifugal compressor, a single-stage turbine and a power turbine. Earlier variants have a hydro-mechanical control system while more recent ones are equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).

Efficient, compact and robust, the engine has been chosen to power numerous light helicopters, in particular the H135 (Arrius 2B2Plus) and H120 (Arrius 2F) from Airbus Helicopters. The 2K2 model drives the AW109 Power developed by AgustaWestland and the 2G1 was chosen by Russian Helicopters for its Ka-226T.

In 2013, the Arrius 2R was selected to power the new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X developed by Bell Helicopter. It will the first Bell product to be powered by a Safran engine.

Early versions of the Arrius 2 entered service in 1996. The continuous integration of new technologies has enabled the engine to stay at the leading edge of progress.

Arrius engines comply with the highest market standards in terms of reliability and safety, particularly for single-engine applications.

To date, over 3,000 Arrius engines have been built by Safran Helicopter Engines. The worldwide Arrius fleet, distributed among 430 customers in 60 different countries, has accumulated more than seven million flight hours. Source @safran-helicopter-engines.com

Image @the-blueprints.com

Specifications

SPEEDS AT MAX GROSS WT
Max Cruise	125+ kts	232+ km/h
Max Range	360+ nm	667+ km
Useful Load	1500+ lbs	680+ kg
Max Endurance*	3.5+ hrs
CAPACITIES
Cabin Floor Area**	22 square ft	2.0 square m
Baggage Compartment Volume	18 ft³	0.5 m³
CEILING ALTITUDES
Service Ceiling (Pressure Altitude)	20,000 ft PA	6,096 m PA
Hover Ceiling IGE	MGW @ 14,000 ft	MGW @ 4,267 m
Hover Ceiling OGE	MGW @ 12,000 ft	MGW @ 3,657 m
POWERPLANT SPECIFICATIONS
Turbomeca Arrius 2R (uninstalled thermodynamic rating)
Takeoff	504 shp	376 kW
Max Continuous	457 shp	341 kW
* Max GW, ISA, Std fuel – no reserves at sea level ** Includes Copilot area of 10 sq.ft/0.9 sq.m Source @bellhelicopter.com