Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Maitland
I have always been a huge fan of the Bell product. Pity I don't fly them any more.
Looking at this one my first impression was "I wouldn't like to have to replace that big arsed windscreen". And the next thing was "I wouldn't want the Turbomecca engine, just hope that Soloy will have an after market Lycoming or RR"
And the "sub $1m price", not in my life time.
Looking at this one my first impression was "I wouldn't like to have to replace that big arsed windscreen". And the next thing was "I wouldn't want the Turbomecca engine, just hope that Soloy will have an after market Lycoming or RR"
And the "sub $1m price", not in my life time.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,536
Likes: 295
From: The Alps
Just landed last night at CDG , and today I ll pop into the Bell chalet and have a look see and find out more.
See if they have a press kit or so.....otherwise come Anaheim next Feb, either the mockup or the real McCoy will be on display.
Cheers
See if they have a press kit or so.....otherwise come Anaheim next Feb, either the mockup or the real McCoy will be on display.
Cheers
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Looks great.
If latest technology will allow you to put 5 people in it, fill it up and OGE hover at 30 C, I will buy one !
I am glad Bell are re-entering the market, the 66 needs competition.
Arrrj
PS - would love a 429...they are cool !
If latest technology will allow you to put 5 people in it, fill it up and OGE hover at 30 C, I will buy one !
I am glad Bell are re-entering the market, the 66 needs competition.
Arrrj
PS - would love a 429...they are cool !
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Hassocks, Mid-Sussex
You've got to love Bell's bend-over politics in selecting the Turbomeca powerplant in a same-sex effort to satisfy elements of their competitors market. However, I am more than a little sure that this gesture will prove to be a pain in their widely-parted derriere! Why throw away the decades of performance, reliability and moderate operating cost of the Allison/RR product? For me that's one mark down.
The design looks like a poor Chinese copy of a Colibri. That's another mark down.
The rotorhead appears to retain the same autogyro-style teetering arrangement which in practice is a sloppy, slow-to-respond, limited performance system with dangerous susceptibility in low and negative-G manoeuvers. That's another mark down.
Needless to say, I won't be buying one.
The design looks like a poor Chinese copy of a Colibri. That's another mark down.
The rotorhead appears to retain the same autogyro-style teetering arrangement which in practice is a sloppy, slow-to-respond, limited performance system with dangerous susceptibility in low and negative-G manoeuvers. That's another mark down.
Needless to say, I won't be buying one.
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Finally....a slicked up Jet Ranger! Oh....Surprise!
I bet the Pilot Seat still sucks out loud, the Pilot Door will not stay open by itself, and the Seat will not adjust.
My old Dodge Diesel Pickup Truck does better any Bell!
I bet the Pilot Seat still sucks out loud, the Pilot Door will not stay open by itself, and the Seat will not adjust.
My old Dodge Diesel Pickup Truck does better any Bell!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 727
Likes: 47
From: Earth
Seems to me that if you could currently buy a 206A with a flat floor for under $1 million, thats a pretty stinking good deal and Frank wouldnt have a stranglehood over the market with the R66.
With respect to complaints about the teetering rotorhead....not sure whats expected when its clear that main objective on this model is ultra low cost and good reliability.
With respect to complaints about the teetering rotorhead....not sure whats expected when its clear that main objective on this model is ultra low cost and good reliability.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Center of the Universe
Why throw away the decades of performance, reliability and moderate operating
cost of the Allison/RR product?
cost of the Allison/RR product?
Perhaps trying to discipline RR. Like others above, I believe that this will eventually bite them.
Last edited by EN48; 18th June 2013 at 19:52.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: UK
Speaking of the 429, I had a look see at Air Zermatts new 429 on display here
WRT the new Bell, it is promising if they have identified that this end of the private/commercial/utility market is potentially so big that it justifies a new product to compete against the R66/EC120/EN480B.
Suppose the rotorhead is cost saving, but also surprised it doesn't have an RR 250 or 300 engine.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: New Zealand
When I saw this, I thought it was an out of season April Fool's joke.
They've taken the worst of the B206 (teetering head) and the worst of the EC120 (TM). The best thing I can see about it is no broom closet. However that also probably brings the crashworthiness down from mil to EC levels.
Why not just create a civilianised OH58D and call it a B406?
Or just drop the price on the B407.
They've taken the worst of the B206 (teetering head) and the worst of the EC120 (TM). The best thing I can see about it is no broom closet. However that also probably brings the crashworthiness down from mil to EC levels.
Why not just create a civilianised OH58D and call it a B406?
Or just drop the price on the B407.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 3
From: Iceland
why did they not just buy the Marenco helicopter project, it is at least up to date... Characteristics - marenco
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Hassocks, Mid-Sussex
why did they not just buy the Marenco
Me on the other hand, I agree with you 100%. I would go for something like the Marenco with the view to creating an ultra-economic modern aircraft to run head-to-head with the Colibri. If I were Bell I would then package this with a low fixed rate of interest payment plan so that you only have to front 50% of the purchase price.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Agree with Grenville, turbomeca product in a Bell
I love Bell products but they need a short light 429 style single, bit like JRX,MAPL concept they released 10 years ago or so.
Isn't that why operators buy Bell, to get away from Turbomeca
, this new product had me excited somewhat then I read the paragraph that mentioned Arrius
I love Bell products but they need a short light 429 style single, bit like JRX,MAPL concept they released 10 years ago or so.
Isn't that why operators buy Bell, to get away from Turbomeca
, this new product had me excited somewhat then I read the paragraph that mentioned Arrius
Last edited by belly tank; 19th June 2013 at 11:52.