Press Release

Issued by RUAG Switzerland.

June 6, 2018

RUAG Aviation has been named as one of the first helicopter services providers in Europe to earn OEM approvals for MRO on the new Bell 505 . RUAG also holds reassembly capabilities. Fully qualified during the first Bell 505 technical courses at the Bell Helicopter Training Academy, the RUAG team will provide these new services at its helicopters support facility in Sion, Switzerland. As a Bell authorized service center, the RUAG Sion location is set to host the Bell 505 during its European launch tour.

“We are dedicated to providing complete, state-of-the-art support on behalf of our customers and all the helicopters in their fleet. Attending the first available technical courses, like the recent instruction for the Bell 505, is essential to this approach,” states Claudio Zeiter, team leader commercial helicopter services, RUAG Aviation.

The completion of the Bell Helicopter Training Academy course also allows RUAG to reassemble the new Bell helicopter. The importance of reassembly services becomes evident during the Bell 505 order process as helicopters are shipped, partially dissembled. While Bell completely assembles and hands over the helicopters at its North America facilities, the helicopter is then separated into airframe, tail boom, main rotor blades and transmission for shipping to Europe.

“The reassembled helicopters require testing and the certificate of release to service. We encourage all Bell 505 customers in Europe to direct the shipping of their new helicopter to our facilities in Sion, Switzerland. Our trained specialists ensure a reliable and prompt reassembly,” confirms Claudio Zeiter.

Following training at the Bell Helicopter Training Academy, the RUAG helicopter services center earned its approval ratings for the Bell 505 under its EASA Part 145 classification. A center of excellence for helicopters, the team at the facility performs all maintenance, repair and overhaul services on the Bell 505 and additional support services required before start of operation.

The Bell 505 helicopter will be presented at the RUAG facility in Sion as part of the aircraft's European launch tour.