Bell 525 Relentless
Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 448
Likes: 7
From: Sometimes here, sometimes there
I can't help but think of this when I see the 525 front end:
http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/sik_shadow.php
http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/sik_shadow.php
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 1
From: USA
The only way to judge the front end of a helicopter is to see how much external visibility it gives the crew. The 525's pilot seat shows scads of excellent visibility, with a wide field of view side, down and cross cockpit.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 300
Likes: 42
From: Texas
Thanks For the Vision Nick!
Nick, Hope you had your own small celebration when the 525 flew. Bell would not be flying the first Fly-by-Wire commercial helicopter without your vision and faith in the engineers at Bell to make it happen. You made a big impact in your short stint at Bell.
Have fun,
CTR
Have fun,
CTR
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 724
Likes: 41
From: Arlington, Tx. US
From Flight International:
Not bad after 20 fh for a self funded FBW aircraft. The speed is near Vne and while the altitude looks low it is because they are operating out of a base at 3700 ft. Since 6K DA is a standard cert alt this fits into the test plan.
CTR: The 525 comes from the BA-609 and Bell 429 design teams, both before Nick.
The Sultan
During flights, the GE Aviation CT7-powered helicopter has been taken to speeds of up to 162kt (300km/h), an altitude of 1,200ft and bank angles of 35°.
CTR: The 525 comes from the BA-609 and Bell 429 design teams, both before Nick.
The Sultan
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 724
Likes: 41
From: Arlington, Tx. US
Ship 2 In The Air
From FG
Second Bell 525 takes flight
24 DECEMBER, 2015 BY: JAMES DREW WASHINGTON DC
Bell Helicopter’s second 525 flight test vehicle has lifted off in Amarillo, Texas, after completing a series of ground checks.
Supporting the development of the first commercial fly-by-wire helicopter, FTV-2 joins its orange sibling (registration N525TA) that conducted the maiden flight of the super-medium type in July.
The new aircraft, tail number N525BK, sports a blue paint scheme, and is pictured in hover on 23 December.
Bell 525 FTV-2 took flight on 23 December
The Sultan
Second Bell 525 takes flight
24 DECEMBER, 2015 BY: JAMES DREW WASHINGTON DC
Bell Helicopter’s second 525 flight test vehicle has lifted off in Amarillo, Texas, after completing a series of ground checks.
Supporting the development of the first commercial fly-by-wire helicopter, FTV-2 joins its orange sibling (registration N525TA) that conducted the maiden flight of the super-medium type in July.
The new aircraft, tail number N525BK, sports a blue paint scheme, and is pictured in hover on 23 December.
Bell 525 FTV-2 took flight on 23 December
The Sultan
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 642
Likes: 2
From: daworld
Just because it can be flown at 200 knots, doesn't mean the Vne will be anywhere near that.
The 139 can fly well in excess of 167 knots, hell, it will climb at 100Pi and 167knots, but that is where the Vne is set. Partially due to bird strike limits on the plastic windshields.
Will be interesting to see where Bell set the Vne on the 525 after testing is completed.
The 139 can fly well in excess of 167 knots, hell, it will climb at 100Pi and 167knots, but that is where the Vne is set. Partially due to bird strike limits on the plastic windshields.
Will be interesting to see where Bell set the Vne on the 525 after testing is completed.
Joined: Dec 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 724
Likes: 41
From: Arlington, Tx. US
Evil7
This is the link to the flight.
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/a...525ta/#8ebf997
For this flight ground speed was very close to CAS.
If memory serves the target VNE was around 165 knots. For cert you have to demonstrate 1.11 VNE. Once the ship was flown the drag was found to be less than the most pessimistic drag analysis so the higher speeds are now being considered.
The Sultan
This is the link to the flight.
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/a...525ta/#8ebf997
For this flight ground speed was very close to CAS.
If memory serves the target VNE was around 165 knots. For cert you have to demonstrate 1.11 VNE. Once the ship was flown the drag was found to be less than the most pessimistic drag analysis so the higher speeds are now being considered.
The Sultan
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 1
From: USA
We commercial developers set Vne where it supports a cruise speed, not where things come to pieces at an engineering stress level. In fact, every limit is set that way - where the business plan is met, not where something is likely to break.
Why? Because we test to support safety and sales, not to make a nice research project.
That being said, anyone who knowingly violates a red line (thinking there is always plenty of margin) is in uncharted territory, and foolish in two ways: First, you endanger yourself and your pax and Second, you might be accruing damage so someone else down the line will suffer.
CTR, I have a lot of faith in the Bell 525 team, and in the basic design. Articulated head, canted tail rotor, FBW advanced controls, big spacious cabin, Garmin cockpit, massive pilot visibility, and a dozen other facets were decided while I was there, and I agree, it was a blast! I had always wanted a shark's teeth smile painted on the nose so it could bite its competition in the butt. I think it will make one heck of an impact on the market.
Nick
Why? Because we test to support safety and sales, not to make a nice research project.
That being said, anyone who knowingly violates a red line (thinking there is always plenty of margin) is in uncharted territory, and foolish in two ways: First, you endanger yourself and your pax and Second, you might be accruing damage so someone else down the line will suffer.
CTR, I have a lot of faith in the Bell 525 team, and in the basic design. Articulated head, canted tail rotor, FBW advanced controls, big spacious cabin, Garmin cockpit, massive pilot visibility, and a dozen other facets were decided while I was there, and I agree, it was a blast! I had always wanted a shark's teeth smile painted on the nose so it could bite its competition in the butt. I think it will make one heck of an impact on the market.
Nick