The Alameda County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit in California has taken delivery of the first Bell-manufactured public safety-configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. “The price-point, craftmanship and safety standard of the Bell 505 made our choice very easy,” states Derrick Hesselein, captain, Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

Alameda County's sheriff Gregory J. Ahern adds: “The Bell 505 is an outstanding machine that will provide a vital service to the citizens of Alameda County for years to come. Bell's responsiveness, attention to detail and willingness to get it right has far exceed our expectations. As the leader of a law enforcement organisation, I have a responsibility to provide my staff with high quality equipment that will keep them safe as they protect our community. The Bell 505 is no exception. This force-multiplier will enable us to quickly respond to any emergency within the region, thus elevating our service to the community.”

Following strong interest from global municipalities that are expanding their capabilities by adding aerial operations to their mission portfolio, Bell introduced its public safety configuration of the Bell 505, which includes a 17” Macro-Blue MB17W display, an AEM 300-watt loudhailer system, a Spectrolab SX-7 searchlight, a Wescam MX-10 camera mounted on an Aeronautical Accessories' forward hardpoint, a PS Engineering PAC45 digital audio system with pilot and copilot individual audio controllers, a Churchill ARS700 map system Interfaced to the MX-10 and TLX searchlight, two dual USB charging ports, AeroDynamix NVG cockpit lighting, high skid gear, Technisonic TDFM-9100 radio and cargo hook equipment.

“We are proud to deliver Alameda County Sheriff's Office with one of the most technologically equipped short light single aircraft on the market today,” says Doug Schoen, Bell Textron MD for North America. “With more than 250 Bell 505s in service and 45,000 fleet flight hours, the aircraft continues to showcase mission capability, exceptional performance and unmatched direct operating cost in its class.”