Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
UK Launch G-JRXI
Thanks to HelxAv team for organising a great day today for the launch of the UK Bell 505. It was a beautiful warm day anyhow here are my photos of G-JRxi
Cheers
Cheers
UK Launch G-DONE
Also from today's event, here are my photos around lunchtime of G-DONE performing and arriving.
cheers
cheers
So the big day was today and luckily the weather was beautiful right up until the time we flew north !
I flew both aircraft from the right hand seat . My first impression was that the aircraft was much better looking in the flesh especially with the longer skids and a number of people made the same comment . In fact two or three said they had gone from thinking it was ugly to liking the looks by the end of the day .
Looking around the aircraft it looked well built but with a few things that stood out which I didn't like .
1) The weight on the back of the tail attached to wires I believe is there for c of g ( and apparently you can specify for your aircraft how much weight you want depending on your most normal configuration) and it also acts as a damper for the tail rotor . This looks a bit Heath Robinson and I think it should have a cover to make it look " finished "
2). The door handles look like they will last about a week and lack any design at all .....a bit like a bolt sticking out of the door . But they did work .
I was neutral about the interior . It is utility and I am sure leather trim would make it a lot more hospitable and may create some soundproofing as it is not quiet inside . Good headsets would be a must and I didn't find the noise level a problem flying for 1hr 15 north . The seats were very comfortable , albeit hard and there was pilot legroom for a 7 ft giant ! It was very airy and roomy with plenty of headroom even if 6ft 3" . Start up is a simple as flicking a switch and the Garmin has a load of tricks , including voice activation and a 30 second loop to listen to atc command again at the push of a button . ( Nice if you have a 30 sec memory like me !)
My first flight was in the one with the Fram damper . We were 5 up , with two fat boys in the front and average adults in the back . I can't remember fuel but we were around max . When the demo pilot landed solo the aircraft landed on back of skids ...full we lifted flat . Masses of power ....I mean really plenty !! Good t/r authority but it was only about 6-7 knots wind . A lot of aft cyclic required for hover tail into wind as we were very close to forward c of g limit . 117-120 knots is the smoothest and is in tick over . Max cont gave us 125-126 knots with a little more bounce but nothing uncomfortable and around 230 -240 lb per hour fuel burn . Visibility was absolutely stunning and no real need for chin bubble however I would like window in ceiling so you can see if anything is above you . On the run north I was in another one without the Fram and the bounce was a little more noticeable but really not enough to worry about . So to sum up I think typically , just like with cars , the expert designers have missed a few things that would be easy to make better but overall it is a superb machine for the money , it isn't a squirrel ..but if you buy something with 2 blades you know you are going for the cheap version and ride and control responses will be the price . Remember it is actually an L4 which today would set you back around $2.5m and would have steam driven cockpit ...but two more seats and a broom cupboard. The 505 is therefore approx half the price albeit I heard that the price is likely to escalate as the number of orders gets higher , not surprising as I can't see how it can be cheaper to produce than an L4 . I think that if it really can , and Bell say it can , lift 900kg on the hook then it will be a very economical work horse as well . I will try to put a couple of photos on later .
If I can think of anything else I will post it .
Added.....I think it would very comfortably do over 128 knots when less heavy ( not that I think that is a good idea in event of engine failure ..) . Also judging by the fact that my pax were neither sick nor screamed at any point would indicate it’s a very easy Helicoper to fly . In fact so easy even our friend FH1100 could fly it !!!! ( prepare for incoming part eaten hats ��!!!)
I flew both aircraft from the right hand seat . My first impression was that the aircraft was much better looking in the flesh especially with the longer skids and a number of people made the same comment . In fact two or three said they had gone from thinking it was ugly to liking the looks by the end of the day .
Looking around the aircraft it looked well built but with a few things that stood out which I didn't like .
1) The weight on the back of the tail attached to wires I believe is there for c of g ( and apparently you can specify for your aircraft how much weight you want depending on your most normal configuration) and it also acts as a damper for the tail rotor . This looks a bit Heath Robinson and I think it should have a cover to make it look " finished "
2). The door handles look like they will last about a week and lack any design at all .....a bit like a bolt sticking out of the door . But they did work .
I was neutral about the interior . It is utility and I am sure leather trim would make it a lot more hospitable and may create some soundproofing as it is not quiet inside . Good headsets would be a must and I didn't find the noise level a problem flying for 1hr 15 north . The seats were very comfortable , albeit hard and there was pilot legroom for a 7 ft giant ! It was very airy and roomy with plenty of headroom even if 6ft 3" . Start up is a simple as flicking a switch and the Garmin has a load of tricks , including voice activation and a 30 second loop to listen to atc command again at the push of a button . ( Nice if you have a 30 sec memory like me !)
My first flight was in the one with the Fram damper . We were 5 up , with two fat boys in the front and average adults in the back . I can't remember fuel but we were around max . When the demo pilot landed solo the aircraft landed on back of skids ...full we lifted flat . Masses of power ....I mean really plenty !! Good t/r authority but it was only about 6-7 knots wind . A lot of aft cyclic required for hover tail into wind as we were very close to forward c of g limit . 117-120 knots is the smoothest and is in tick over . Max cont gave us 125-126 knots with a little more bounce but nothing uncomfortable and around 230 -240 lb per hour fuel burn . Visibility was absolutely stunning and no real need for chin bubble however I would like window in ceiling so you can see if anything is above you . On the run north I was in another one without the Fram and the bounce was a little more noticeable but really not enough to worry about . So to sum up I think typically , just like with cars , the expert designers have missed a few things that would be easy to make better but overall it is a superb machine for the money , it isn't a squirrel ..but if you buy something with 2 blades you know you are going for the cheap version and ride and control responses will be the price . Remember it is actually an L4 which today would set you back around $2.5m and would have steam driven cockpit ...but two more seats and a broom cupboard. The 505 is therefore approx half the price albeit I heard that the price is likely to escalate as the number of orders gets higher , not surprising as I can't see how it can be cheaper to produce than an L4 . I think that if it really can , and Bell say it can , lift 900kg on the hook then it will be a very economical work horse as well . I will try to put a couple of photos on later .
If I can think of anything else I will post it .
Added.....I think it would very comfortably do over 128 knots when less heavy ( not that I think that is a good idea in event of engine failure ..) . Also judging by the fact that my pax were neither sick nor screamed at any point would indicate it’s a very easy Helicoper to fly . In fact so easy even our friend FH1100 could fly it !!!! ( prepare for incoming part eaten hats ��!!!)
Last edited by nigelh; 21st Apr 2018 at 23:10.
Thanks for the info Nigel. Sounds like a good purchase and I’m hearing good things from the Bell folks about the cargo hook performance. Sounds like a potential business opportunity if you can get your hands on one... I’m a bit jealous.
It’s pretty impressive how many countries are operating them so soon after certifications. Not much comparison to the recently certified helo’s out there there.
It’s pretty impressive how many countries are operating them so soon after certifications. Not much comparison to the recently certified helo’s out there there.
I see you have all been stunned into silence , including FH1100 , by how brilliant the new 505 is !!!!
Would also like to say thank you to Heli Charter for organising the day and supplying food & booze , demo rides etc .
One last thing I forgot was that the Garmins still didn’t have UK data and thought closest airport was in America .....???
Would also like to say thank you to Heli Charter for organising the day and supplying food & booze , demo rides etc .
One last thing I forgot was that the Garmins still didn’t have UK data and thought closest airport was in America .....???
Grey .... if you mean it is not a 407 XP or a flashy new twin or a 350B3e then I think you are correct !!! If , like me , you are an owner who wants as much bang for his buck and a very limited downside... ie high maintenance or depreciation, then this is quite exciting. To be able to buy a brand new turbine , fly it for 500 hours for very little and then sell it for a likely profit , rather than a loss .... well that is very interesting!!
I can see that it would have no interest for a driver / employee however.
( not saying you are either )
I can see that it would have no interest for a driver / employee however.
( not saying you are either )
Nigel,
Thanks for your review, sounds like a really good ship. I also think the pictures from the Heli-Charter day look better than the ones in the Bell brochure!!
As I have said before, I think Bell have done really well to get to market at this price point and really hope they don't start escalating the price as you indicated they might.
Are there any options available to upgrade the interior to a more corporate feel at the moment? Is there any news on when an autopilot/sas might be available?
Best Regards,
CRAN
Thanks for your review, sounds like a really good ship. I also think the pictures from the Heli-Charter day look better than the ones in the Bell brochure!!
As I have said before, I think Bell have done really well to get to market at this price point and really hope they don't start escalating the price as you indicated they might.
Are there any options available to upgrade the interior to a more corporate feel at the moment? Is there any news on when an autopilot/sas might be available?
Best Regards,
CRAN
Hello CRAN,
there's the vip interior package "MAGnificent" from Mecaer as an option :
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...t-vip-bell-505
.
there's the vip interior package "MAGnificent" from Mecaer as an option :
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...t-vip-bell-505
.
Pleasure . I actually tried to be as objective as possible . I think we all know it will be a very capable machine for utility and transport . I wanted to also point out those irritating things that designers always seem to be blind to .... like the Range Rover ...a great car which only sells in such volume because there is no competition, but loads of really irritating things that should not happen to a £100k off road car !! The value for money and total lack of real competition will ensure this sells just as much as it’s good points.
CRAN
I was told Heathrow Interiors are about to get their hands on at least one of these aircraft. The floats are available 'now' and the Garmin autopilot will be 'deliverable' in September at 70,000 and 30,000 respectively. The latter price seems 'low'
I agree with Nigelh that this is no dog. I thought it smoother than a 206 right up to max cont. Great instumentation and front seat position. Back seats are very upright and not a match on the 120. Also rather noisy, but basic headsets with a missing ear cushion combined with a bare bulkhead didnt help.
I was told Heathrow Interiors are about to get their hands on at least one of these aircraft. The floats are available 'now' and the Garmin autopilot will be 'deliverable' in September at 70,000 and 30,000 respectively. The latter price seems 'low'
I agree with Nigelh that this is no dog. I thought it smoother than a 206 right up to max cont. Great instumentation and front seat position. Back seats are very upright and not a match on the 120. Also rather noisy, but basic headsets with a missing ear cushion combined with a bare bulkhead didnt help.
Thanks H.
That's great. I'm surprised Bell don't offer a VIP fit themselves rather than using 3rd party operations, as it would seem that many of these aircraft will be used in that role.
CRAN
That's great. I'm surprised Bell don't offer a VIP fit themselves rather than using 3rd party operations, as it would seem that many of these aircraft will be used in that role.
CRAN
