Bell Unveils Milestone with 300th Delivery of the Iconic 505 Jet Ranger X
Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), declared today the delivery of the 300th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). The inaugural Bell 505 was handed over in 2017, and as of now, there are 300 aircraft actively in service across six continents, with users accumulating over 70,000 global flight hours.
“The Bell 505 represents one of Bell’s fastest expanding commercial initiatives to date, having surpassed numerous key benchmarks since its launch,” stated Michael Thacker, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Commercial Business. “With increasing demand for the aircraft in Public Safety, Utility, and Corporate transport sectors, Bell has committed to developing new products and technologies to enhance the Bell 505’s functionalities.”
The latest enhancements to the Bell 505 platform feature the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics package, Flight Stream, Autopilot, Lightweight EMS interior, Bell Public Safety configuration, Pulselite, FliteStep, LHS Baggage Door, and Moveable Ballast.
“We are honored to receive the 300th Bell 505 and to augment our fleet capabilities,” remarked Lt. Col. Brian Lundy, commanding officer of the JDF Air Wing. “JDF and Bell share a rich history, and today’s delivery stands as another landmark in our partnership.” The Force’s sixth Bell 505 will aid Public Safety operations to serve the populace of Jamaica and will be utilized by its Caribbean Military Aviation School (CMAS) to instruct the next generation of international rotorcraft pilots.
With a cruising speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and a useful load capacity of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is Bell’s latest five-seat aircraft crafted for safety, efficiency, and dependability, utilizing cutting-edge avionics technology. Its similarities to the Bell 429 platform facilitate a smooth transition for pilots as JDF initiates training operations. Equipped with a Garmin G1000, the system shares comparable avionics with JDF’s Fixed Wing Trainer aircraft, thereby lowering pilot workload and enriching the students’ educational experience.
