Milestone Moment: Bell Celebrates the 400th Delivery of the Bell 505
Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., proclaimed today the milestone 400th Bell 505 delivery to European client Al Barratt, co-founder of Grenade and proprietor of Cotswold Aviation, both located within the United Kingdom.
Accompanied by the Bell leadership team, Mr. Barratt accepted the personalized Bell 505 at a handover event at Bell’s Mirabel, Canada facility. “The Bell 505 is a remarkable aircraft, and we are thrilled to honor the 400th handover to Mr. Barratt,” expressed LaShan Bonaparte, vice president of Commercial Sales at Bell. “The Bell 505 offers exceptional performance features, state-of-the-art avionics, and a multifunctional cabin for our clientele. This will serve as a fantastic enhancement to Cotswold Aviation’s fleet.”
The inaugural Bell 505 was handed over in 2017, and presently, 400 aircraft are operational across six distinct continents. The Bell 505 ranks among the company’s swiftly expanding offerings for corporate and VIP sectors. Amidst the escalating demand for this aircraft, Bell has persistently rolled out advancements for the Bell 505, including an upgraded avionic system and autopilot functions.
“Experiencing flight in the 505 is truly exceptional and serves as an ideal choice for business transportation throughout the UK and various regions of Europe,” commented Mr. Barratt. “This aircraft allows me to optimize my schedule by bypassing traffic, transporting me swiftly and securely to my destination. I am already operating two single-engine fixed-wing aircraft and have been searching for the ‘rotary equivalent’ of those models. This impressive 505 aligns perfectly with my mission, merging performance and innovation while decreasing the pilot’s workload.”
The Bell 505 is the latest five-seat aircraft crafted for safety and efficiency, utilizing the most cutting-edge technology available. A fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and Safran Arrius 2R engine with dual-channel FADEC ensure maximized situational awareness and reduced workload, enabling successful operations in a variety of scenarios. With the additional advantage of a spacious cabin and panoramic window views, the Bell 505 is perfect for corporate travelers and private owner expeditions.
