'Aircraft Performed Incredibly Well,' Company Official Says

The second Flight Test Vehicle (FTV) in Bell's 505 Jet Ranger X program has been flown for the first time. The Bell 505’s Flight Test Vehicle One completed its first flight in November of last year, and the program has quickly progressed, performing additional flight tests and numerous practice autorotations.

“This puts us one step closer to certification and production,” said David Smith, program director of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. “The aircraft performed incredibly well, successfully demonstrating a low traffic speed traffic pattern at 60 knots.”
 
The Bell 505 was designed based on extensive input provided by a Customer Advisory Council (CAC). Bell Helicopter unveiled the Jet Ranger X at HELI-Expo 2014 in February and has already received more than 300 letters of intent for the new model.
 
“We continue to make excellent progress with the flight test program and are working to assess key operational scenarios customers may be faced with.” Smith said.

(Images provided by Bell Helicopter)

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com