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Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
Bell announces a new single engine helicopter at Paris airshow with Arrius engine.
http://bellhelicopter.com/en_US/News...easeID=1830175 http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps1b955afa.jpg BELL HELICOPTER TO RE-ENTER THE SHORT LIGHT SINGLE MARKET 6/17/2013 6:38:00 AM Paris, France - June 17, 2013 - Today at the 2013 Paris Air Show, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced its return to the short light single (SLS) engine helicopter market with a new product designed to specifications based on the input of a customer advisory council. Bell Helicopter's new, five-seat entry-level aircraft is expected to complete its first flight in 2014 with certification to follow as quickly as possible. "Bell Helicopter is no stranger to the short light single market. We developed it nearly 50 years ago with the introduction of the Bell 206 JetRanger and are proud to have produced nearly 7,400 Bell 206 series aircraft since 1967 with over 4,400 remaining in service today," said John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. "However, we needed to create a new, modernized aircraft to meet requirements of five-seat utility, training, private, and law enforcement operators." Bell Helicopter's new short light single engine helicopter will feature a high visibility, fully flat cabin floor with five forward-facing seats. It is designed to meet performance targets recommended by the customer advisory council, including a speed of 125 knots (232 km), a range of 360 to 420 nautical miles (667 km) and a useful load of 1,500 pounds (608 kg). "The SLS class is both extremely competitive and price sensitive, so we collaborated with customers to incorporate their mission needs in a high performance, high value helicopter at a very competitive price," Garrison added. The new aircraft will be powered by the Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine, which will offer the benchmark for performance and power in the 450-550 shp class, while improving safety and lowering pilot workload with Full Authority Dual-Channel Engine Control (FADEC). It will also meet IATA Stage 4 noise targets. Additional safety enhancing design features will reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness and deliver superior auto rotation capabilities. The combination of capabilities, performance characteristics and value will be backed by Bell Helicopter's industry-leading service and support. The new helicopter is expected to achieve first flight in 2014. Bell Helicopter will continue to release key information about the product and suppliers throughout its development. |
The JetBanger lives again!
Although, looking at that render, it looks like it will be more a "Bell 120". |
There seems no end to the manufacturers cultivation of aircraft category jargon - the "Short Light Single" (SLS) market !! :confused:
Are they really going to use the same running gear (as per the image) - wow, that really is breathing life back into the old Jetbox! |
Woohoo
Looks awesome!
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Appears to be a two blade semi-rigid (teetering) rotor. How modern is that? And a French engine? Have heard that every part for these costs $50,000. That's the bad news. The good news is that even if you have the $50,000, you cant get the part! :E
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New Bell single engine
What exactly is a "Short Light Single"? Or was it meant to be a "Short Legged Single"?
When there is a "Short Light Single" is there also a "Long Light Single" or a "Short Heavy Single"? I am confused by this "Rubbish Business Talk". |
You lot ought to be ashamed.
There's some revolutionary technology holding on those blades... called the TT strap...;) Quite clearly this is an improvement. Seating goes from 5 to …5. Useful load goes from 1487 to 1500 pounds. Range increases from 374nm to 360-420nm. Speed increases from 120 knots to 125 knots. Engine is changing from a derated 450 shp engine to a 450 shp engine. I suspect the price has higher performance numbers. |
There's some revolutionary technology holding on those blades... called the TT strap I suspect the price has higher performance numbers. |
Long light single is probably ec130 / 407 sized helicopters.
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You lot ought to be ashamed. There's some revolutionary technology holding on those blades... called the TT strap... Quite clearly this is an improvement. Seating goes from 5 to …5. Useful load goes from 1487 to 1500 pounds. Range increases from 374nm to 360-420nm. Speed increases from 120 knots to 125 knots. Engine is changing from a derated 450 shp engine to a 450 shp engine. I suspect the price has higher performance numbers. |
Robbie has nothing on this if it meets the specs. |
Marianoberna likes this.
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Originally Posted by PhlyingGuy
and a dual channel FADEC
Originally Posted by EN48
Havent heard any official or unofficial price info yet but my SWAG is $1.99 million
I/C |
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Long light single is probably ec130 / 407 sized helicopters. "Rubbish Business Talk" Robbie has nothing on this if it meets the specs. During Heli-Expo John Garrison hinted at a sub-$1 Mil price. I can't believe that, but it would be fantastic if true However, in case they have any problems, Bell's financial safety net is that the TT straps are going to be replaced every 500 hrs or every 12 months, whichever comes first! :E |
I wonder how the bean counters view this new aircraft, given the obvious comparison is the EC120? Since the R66 arrived, the EC120 production rate has dropped to about 10/year, while Robinson produced 191 R66s in 2012. Not forgetting the 480, of course. I am not a supporter of any particular manufacturer or model, but purchase price and operating cost are key, and Bell are going to need some magic numbers to make a dent in this market now (plus a few years to get it certified). Perhaps the plan is to produce it in China or Mexico or Poland etc to make it more competitive?
The silver stripe over the nose in the computer-generated images makes it look sad :sad: Just as a comparison, here's the 4-blade 5-seat "JRX" proposal from a few years ago.... http://www.246.ne.jp/~heli-ss/bell-jrx.jpg |
Think I'll just repaint the B206 and give it a new interior...! Bank manager will prefer that one and passengers will be none the wiser!
Oh and a new reg G-OSLS! |
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Sub $1million would be a winner.
Fly smart fly Bell. Buy smart, buy Bell. |
Pictures?
Is there just the one picture of this new machine, surely not?
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