Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
Mecaer works regulary with Bell and proposes also the MAGnificent package for the 429. They're doing such a good job that they could be British !
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So, can anyone with a 120/experience thereof make a comparison?
A new 505 is probably 400k more than a 120, but with fadec garmin 5000, better useful load and so on? 120 to my eye looks a but better, though I like the 505 - interiors seem better in 120, and a lot cheaper to buy?
On the downside, 505 means no barrel rolling I suppose.
A new 505 is probably 400k more than a 120, but with fadec garmin 5000, better useful load and so on? 120 to my eye looks a but better, though I like the 505 - interiors seem better in 120, and a lot cheaper to buy?
On the downside, 505 means no barrel rolling I suppose.
Join Date: Aug 2008
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They can only hold one database at a time... Americas or the rest of the world. But assuming you have purchased either one, all it takes is a quick download onto SD card and put the card in the Garmin to load it.
Maybe no-one was willing to pay for it, didn't have access to a card reader, or simply no time ;-)
Maybe no-one was willing to pay for it, didn't have access to a card reader, or simply no time ;-)
Peter... I don’t think your comparison is really correct . You can’t really compare value of a brand new machine with value of a 12-15 year old machine . The 505 is a much cheaper aircraft than the 120 ....probably nearly half the price . The lack of a proper interior in the 505 can be resolved in a number of ways quite easily so not an issue . The other two areas it is not as good as the 120 are noise and manoeuvrability....... there is nothing you can do about those . Where it really scores points are
power ......loads of it . 900kg on hook !!!!
speed ..... genuine 125+ knots max cruise . ( 120 knots more comfy/ economic cruise )
Maintenance .... its a Bell !!!! Of course it will be far and away cheaper than anything French .
So the 120 is a much more expensive, to buy and to run , machine but you cannot just fill with 5 people and fuel and fly away . It is also slower . But it is prettier.
I can see some people moving from the 120 to the 505 just to get the power and the cost savings and I can see the price taking a bit of a knock . At that point if you are only 2-3 up on short flights it would be a great choice . I still believe the 505 will appreciate a lot over the next 3-4 years . I would guess that mine has already gone up by circa 10% and I don’t get delivery until mid July !
power ......loads of it . 900kg on hook !!!!
speed ..... genuine 125+ knots max cruise . ( 120 knots more comfy/ economic cruise )
Maintenance .... its a Bell !!!! Of course it will be far and away cheaper than anything French .
So the 120 is a much more expensive, to buy and to run , machine but you cannot just fill with 5 people and fuel and fly away . It is also slower . But it is prettier.
I can see some people moving from the 120 to the 505 just to get the power and the cost savings and I can see the price taking a bit of a knock . At that point if you are only 2-3 up on short flights it would be a great choice . I still believe the 505 will appreciate a lot over the next 3-4 years . I would guess that mine has already gone up by circa 10% and I don’t get delivery until mid July !
I think I would like to do something to make it nicer but probably not the cost of a full vip interior . Going to have a chat with Farnborough interiors to see if we can do a cheap fix .... will let you know !
I saw one in person finally.
my feelings havent changed much
but my biggest question is why i dont have an attachment function on my phone to upload? I have one on my laptop....
my feelings havent changed much
but my biggest question is why i dont have an attachment function on my phone to upload? I have one on my laptop....
Not sure what you mean Gray. It was very noticeable that on the day a big number of people did comment that it was really growing on them ....some of that is definitely the longer skids ( which I would like even longer towards the front ...) but I guess it is a bit like Marmite !! Mine is being delivered at the factory on July 25th so hopefully up and flying here by end of August fingers crossed....I just need to sell the 109 now !!
Personally I think delicious !!! I do think we are rather overstating the importance of how many people like the looks . The fact is there is no real alternative for anything near the money ......apart from Robinson , which I wouldn't even contemplate .
you are then left with old underpowered 120,s or 350 or 407 at vastly more money .
you are then left with old underpowered 120,s or 350 or 407 at vastly more money .
I've seen one in the flesh and it IS ugly. I think I would also rather have an AS 350 too as it's such a more capable airframe (even if it is french).
Just my personal opinion, I just fly other peoples aircraft, I'm unlikely ever to own one.
ET
Just my personal opinion, I just fly other peoples aircraft, I'm unlikely ever to own one.
ET
Evil Twin ..... I don’t think you have quite grasped the concept that beauty is in the eye of the beholder !! You stating it IS ugly is just your opinion , there are plenty here who now quite like the new look !!! Personally I have moved from ugly to neutral ...but it definitely looked a lot nicer by the end of the day when I had got used to it .
and your priceless comment....
“would also rather have an AS 350 too as it's such a more capable airframe (even if it is french).” ...... well No sh*t Sherlock 🕵️*♀️ !!!! Again I’m not sure you have grasped the “ money “ concept....... the 505 is not really any competition to the 350 which is probably 3 X the price !!!
and your priceless comment....
“would also rather have an AS 350 too as it's such a more capable airframe (even if it is french).” ...... well No sh*t Sherlock 🕵️*♀️ !!!! Again I’m not sure you have grasped the “ money “ concept....... the 505 is not really any competition to the 350 which is probably 3 X the price !!!
I've seen a 505 in the flesh a couple of times now and I'm also a neutral. The old adage 'if it looks right, it flies right' is a difficult one to see past.
What IS interesting is the values of good 206s have stabilised and at the sweet spot of the market, gone up (as have MD500s apparently). Late (90s on) JetRangers not so much so, as the values look expensive compared to the 505. But for an 80s BIII, I think people are recognising that the 505 does little more (normal everyday use etc etc) at 3 times the price. And it doesn't have a frightening French engine.
What IS interesting is the values of good 206s have stabilised and at the sweet spot of the market, gone up (as have MD500s apparently). Late (90s on) JetRangers not so much so, as the values look expensive compared to the 505. But for an 80s BIII, I think people are recognising that the 505 does little more (normal everyday use etc etc) at 3 times the price. And it doesn't have a frightening French engine.
I think you are probably right that for the average private owner an old 80,s 206 will do everything that you will do in a 505 .... an extra 10 knots or so and more power is not really going to make much difference .....like my 109 Mk2 @ $500k it is around 1/10 the price of a Grand but will do almost the same thing ..... 6 pax and 145knots and ifr !!!!
so I quite see your point !!
ps Evil ....you are quite right ..I was being over protective!!! I think I will just concentrate on how it performs in the field . That will determine if it is a worthy replacement for the good old 206 !
so I quite see your point !!
ps Evil ....you are quite right ..I was being over protective!!! I think I will just concentrate on how it performs in the field . That will determine if it is a worthy replacement for the good old 206 !
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Some other points to consider in favour of the 505:
two blades = less hangar space required
How about maintenance intervals? Anything comparable on the 505 as the 15 hours inspection on the MR hub of the EC120 which can be a real pain if you don’t have your own maintenance facility?
two blades = less hangar space required
How about maintenance intervals? Anything comparable on the 505 as the 15 hours inspection on the MR hub of the EC120 which can be a real pain if you don’t have your own maintenance facility?