Japan-based operator SECO International has signed a purchase agreement with Bell Textron for a Bell 505 helicopter. The company has also been appointed as Japan's first dealer for the model. This sale follows the letter of intent that SECO signed in 2015 for 10 Bell 505s, since delivered.

Founded in 1983, SECO International operates a fleet of light helicopters and manages private owners' aircraft with full operational support through its facility at Nagoya airport.

“We are honoured by the confidence that SECO International continues to show in the Bell 505 through the purchase of its 11th aircraft and by becoming the first Bell 505 dealer in Japan,” says Bell, Asia Pacific managing director Jose Jacinto Monge. “We look forward to deepening our relationship with SECO and providing support to grow its business with the Bell 505 in Japan.”

There are currently 300 Bell 505s in operation across six continents, logging more than 70,000 global fleet hours. In 2018, four were delivered to the Japan Coast Guard to be used for basic helicopter trainer.