The Jamaica Defense Force received a jubilee helicopter for public safety and training future pilots
Bell Textron Inc. a conglomerate of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) today announced the delivery of its three-hundredth Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter to the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF). The first delivery of the Bell 505 helicopter was made in 2017, and to date, 300 machines are in service on six continents with a combined 70,000 hours of flight time.
“The Bell 505 is currently one of Bell’s fastest-growing commercial programs, having passed several significant milestones since its launch,” says Michael Thacker, executive vice president of Innovation and Commerce. “As we have seen continued interest in the helicopter in public safety, general purpose and corporate flying, Bell has invested in new products and technologies to enhance the capabilities of the Bell 505 helicopter.”
The latest developments in the Bell 505 platform include the Garmin G1000H NXi flight suite, Flight Stream application, autopilot, lightweight medical module layout, Bell public safety configuration, Pulselite bird collision warning system, FliteStep cross landing gear steps, left side luggage compartment door and removable ballast.
“We are proud to receive our 300th Bell 505 helicopter, thereby expanding the capabilities of our fleet,” said Lt. Col. Brian Lundy, JDF air unit commander. “JDF and Bell have a strong bond of cooperation, and today’s delivery signifies a new phase of our relationship.” The sixth Bell 505 helicopter in the JDF fleet will serve Jamaican citizens on public safety missions and will be operated by the Caribbean Military Aviation School (CMAS) to train future international rotorcraft pilots.
With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and a payload of 680 kg, the Bell 505 is Bell’s newest five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability using advanced avionics technology. Its similarity to the Bell 429 series platform will make it easy for pilots to rearrange when JDFs begin training activities. With the Garmin G1000 panel, the platform has a suite of onboard equipment similar to JDF combat training aircraft and reduces pilot workload while enhancing student learning.
For more information on Bell’s long-standing partnership with the Jamaica Defense Force, visit Bell News.
About Bell
We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. For more than 80 years, we’ve been changing the way we think about flight and what we can do.
We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and put a civilian helicopter into service. We were part of NASA’s first flight to the moon and we brought advanced convertorcraft to market. Our work today defines on-demand mobility in the future.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, as a wholly owned subsidiary of conglomerate Textron Inc., our regional offices are strategically located around the world. Nearly a quarter of our staff is made up of former military personnel, so supporting our military in its missions is a matter of great importance to us.
Most importantly, our cutting-edge innovations provide our customers with an exceptional level of delivery quality. Efficiency. Reliability. And always and above all, safety.
Textron Inc. – is a multi-industry company that provides innovative solutions and services to its customers through its network of aviation, defense, industrial and financial facilities. The Textron conglomerate is known worldwide for such recognized brands as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information on the conglomerate’s activities, visit the company’s website.
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