Like FH1100Pilot and as350nut I too was puzzled by the engine choice for the 505. I anticipate that a lot of 505 sales will be to 206B/L owners upgrading and perhaps not fully realizing the differences in the level of product support for the Turbomeca vis-à-vis the Allison/RR. Also, and this is a relatively minor point, how many 505 customers are aware that their mechanics will have to purchase additional metric tools.
I wonder which will come first, a Bell option for an Allison/RR engine or a third-party STC'd option.