Bell Textron has signed purchase agreements for four Bell 505s, and one delivery in the Baltic region, at the European Rotors 2022 exhibition in Cologne, Germany.

The Bell 505 continues to see success across Europe. Three of the aircraft were purchased by Bell's new independent representative (IR) for the Baltic states, Airborne, and are destined for private customers and pilot training use. A fourth Bell 505 will be purchased directly by a private customer. Bell will also make delivery of a Bell 505 to a private customer.

“It's exciting to see the demand for the Bell 505 continue to grow within Europe across many industries,” says senior vice president, international commercial sales Patrick Moulay. “We see great potential for Bell within the Baltics, and we are delighted to welcome Airborne to our ever-growing list of IRs across Europe to expand our support.

“The 505 adapts well to Europe's varied terrain, and our customers have a diverse range of uses for the aircraft. From taking tourists sightseeing to training pilots to land on top of mountains, the 505 continues to leave an amazing impression on our customers and the passengers they fly.”

“Our appointment as the IR for the Baltic states will mark the start of a new and exciting chapter in our relationship with Bell,” adds Airborne owner Max Lunov. “The 505's high-performance and versatility mean it easily adapts to the various needs of our customers. In the case of these aircraft, we'll see them used for private travel and pilot training.”

In August, Bell announced the 400th Bell 505 delivery since its launch in 2017, to a customer in the UK. Other recent Bell 505 deliveries in Europe include one to a private customer in Greece, two to JB Investments in Poland and two to Karen SA in Switzerland. A total of 78 Bell 505s have now been delivered across the continent.

The Bell 505 is the most versatile aircraft in the short light single class. Its powerful Safran Arrius 2R engine and dual-channel FADEC, combined with its advanced Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite, mean it is suited to a wide of range of missions, including pilot training, sightseeing, corporate transport, utility and public safety. Last year, the Bell 505 was certified by EASA to carry up to 2,000 pounds (907 kg) using its cargo hook, further adding to the its impressive utilitarian capabilities.