Hope this helps clarify the situation:
This is the UK CAAs latest official statement from their website, I see no wriggle room on the subject, could be expensive for some owners.................. I have been informed that one UK maintenance company is carrying out very detailed checks on every Bell or Agusta Bell helicopter being brought in for maintenance.
Before you invest in any Bell or Agusta Bell 206 in the UK, I would make sure you have a full (insured) survey carried out.
https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-ind...6-helicopters/
The text reads:
Eligibility of parts for Agusta Bell and Bell 206 helicopters
The product manufacturers, supported by EASA, have on several occasions attempted to make clear that only parts that are manufactured under control of the Type Certificate Holder (TCH) or Supplementary Type Certificate Holders (STC) control are eligible for installation on their respective helicopters. Where a part does not meet these criteria,
then it should be replaced with a part conforming with the TCH or STC holders requirements.
This policy is supported by Information Letters issued by the Type Certificate holders for both aircraft types, clarifying their individual positions concerning the eligibility requirements for replacement parts.
Agusta Westland Information Letter (15 November 2006)
Bell Helicopters Information Letter No. GEN-99-65 (15 January 1999, revised 2 June 2006)
Parts manufactured by or for Bell under their production approvals are not normally eligible for installation on Agusta/Bell manufactured helicopters. Parts produced by or for Agusta are not eligible for installation on a Bell manufactured helicopter.
Original Bell Helicopters parts may only be installed on the Agusta Bell 206 when the part is supplied and authorised by Agusta, now Leonardo S.p.A. Authorisation may be provided by Leonardo S.p.A through their EASA design organisation approval.