Bell Textron has delivered the 200th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to Austria-based operator Hubi-Fly Helikopter. The aircraft will be used for corporate transport.

The first delivery of the Bell 505 took place in March 2017 to Pylon Aviation. A global fleet of 200 aircraft is now flying across six continents.

“What sets the Bell 505 apart from other short light single aircraft is its multi-mission capability,” says Bell 505 and Bell 429 program director LaShan Bonaparte. “Our intent from initial design for the Bell 505 was to deliver an industry-leading aircraft to the market. As operator needs expand, we continue to see growth of our 505 customer base.”

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X was developed with the support of a customer advisory panel focused on honouring the legacy of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger while enhancing performance, technology and cost of operations. The aircraft has continued to garner global attention from operators in a variety of segments including electronic news gathering, law enforcement, helicopter emergency medical services, corporate transportation and utility missions.

With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is the new five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability using advanced avionics technology. It incorporates proven dynamic components, advanced aerodynamic design, a dual channel FADEC Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine and best-in-class value.