Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
A Letter Of Intent? What's that? Is that like an order... "like" an order... but not? How much money exchanges hands? How binding is it? Another LOI for three. Big deal.
I sat in an exhibit mock-up for the first time today and I liked it more than I would have thought. I have a gut feeling this will be a great aircraft.
If it didn't look like something a four-year-old drew on his bedroom wallpaper, I bet they could have sold twice as many by now.
If it didn't look like something a four-year-old drew on his bedroom wallpaper, I bet they could have sold twice as many by now.
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Great queries Flimsyfan. 6 months ago I would have bet the 505 would fill your needs perfectly. Unfortunately people who have actually flown a demo say Bell has missed the mark. In a misguided effort to target the R66 as their competition they have dropped the amazing nodal beam suspension of the legendary smooth riding Longranger in order to keep the price a little lower. Now what could have been a perfectly performing helicopter is doomed to rival the EC120 in unpopularity and it's a damn shame. Rumor is that at 80 plus knots the ride is comparable to that of a buckboard wagon. It's too bad, I'm sure EVERYONE would have been willing to pay a little more to get the perfect small helicopter. If you can afford it my advice would be go with a 407GX, if that is a bit out of your range then take a look at the amazing Enstrom 480. Good luck.
Last edited by Helomaniac; 4th Feb 2017 at 17:37.
I can guarantee it will fly as smooth as silk . Bell are not stupid and I , along with every other buyer , will not pay or take delivery of anything less than great !! Then we can wait for F1100 to eat his words !!
Yep - that post bent the needle of the BS meter.
Why for example would the 505 fly worse than the 206B3? And you can't compare it in any sensible way to a 407 or 480B. 407 has 7 seats and 3 times the price, 480B barely has 5 seats (and nothing like the baggage space).
Why for example would the 505 fly worse than the 206B3? And you can't compare it in any sensible way to a 407 or 480B. 407 has 7 seats and 3 times the price, 480B barely has 5 seats (and nothing like the baggage space).
505 also flies a lot faster that the 206B3 and L4. 125kts cruise at MGW vs 114kts for the old 206's. vibe typically goes up with rotor thrust and that goes up with speed, so I'd expect ride to be similar to a L4 or B3, but at would be fine if it's a bit tougher at the higher speed... if it's better for vibe with the LIVE system that's a bonus, but not really expected. Physics is physics. if I had 3x the money, I'd love to get a 407GXP, but not that lucky.
I think 407 is a great machine but I have never been a fan of the broom cupboard on all the LR variants . One of the big charms of the 505 is the open cockpit like the 350 series . Much easier to see what's going on and less claustrophobic for pax . Does anyone know when we are likely to get first deliveries in UK ?
The good question is : Does anyone know when the 505 will be certified ?
"The approval for the craft was set to be done by November by Transport Canada, reports Flight Global, but Bell declined to give an exact date."
From Helihub : HeliHub.com Bell closer to 505 Jet Ranger X Certification
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Textron representative called with me the other day and left the latest brochure
and accessory options for the new 505. All good but pricing structure is very
different to what i have read on here and indeed been told at shows.
The Garmin 1000 is standard yes, but everything else is an extra, even the duals,
second radio, carpets, paint, ,rotor brake, rad alt, barrier filter, sliding windows
etc. etc. All adds up to 220k usd plus base of 1.135m usd for a modest spec.
aircraft (auto-pilot not even listed) ie 1.350m usd.
Now throw in the bad sterling rate and cost will be say £1,090,000 plus
carriage delivery and of course vat.
I am wondering does it still represnt good value, your thoughts would be
appreciated.
and accessory options for the new 505. All good but pricing structure is very
different to what i have read on here and indeed been told at shows.
The Garmin 1000 is standard yes, but everything else is an extra, even the duals,
second radio, carpets, paint, ,rotor brake, rad alt, barrier filter, sliding windows
etc. etc. All adds up to 220k usd plus base of 1.135m usd for a modest spec.
aircraft (auto-pilot not even listed) ie 1.350m usd.
Now throw in the bad sterling rate and cost will be say £1,090,000 plus
carriage delivery and of course vat.
I am wondering does it still represnt good value, your thoughts would be
appreciated.
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I hope the 505 is as good as people are wanting it to be - we should find out in the coming months.
But, at current exchange rates in the UK (US$ = £0.80), I can't see a huge rush to buy over here at c.£1.1m +.
Last time I bought a helicopter from the US (2008) I was getting 2 dollars to the pound. That would have put the 505 at a much more palatable £675k!
But, at current exchange rates in the UK (US$ = £0.80), I can't see a huge rush to buy over here at c.£1.1m +.
Last time I bought a helicopter from the US (2008) I was getting 2 dollars to the pound. That would have put the 505 at a much more palatable £675k!
Congratulations to Bell! Let's hope that U.S. certification follows shortly.
But if they actually produce and sell that thing I'll eat my hat.
http://www.heliweb.com/bell-505-jrx-type-cert/
But if they actually produce and sell that thing I'll eat my hat.
http://www.heliweb.com/bell-505-jrx-type-cert/
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I sure hope you are correct Sultan I would love nothing more than to see Bell hit the mark with what looks like it could be the perfect 206B replacement.