The Columbus Department of Public Safety has signed a purchase agreement for two Bell 505s with Bell Textron. The aircraft duo will modernise the Department's aerial public safety capabilities, serving the Columbus Metropolitan Area's nearly two million residents.

“Bell is proud to support the Columbus Division of Police as it upgrades its aviation section with two B505s,” says Lane Evans, managing director of North America, Bell. “With the Bell 505's modern design, contemporary camera system and advanced technologies, the division has the option to operate at higher altitudes more efficiently. The Bell 505 continues to be a highly sought-after aircraft in the public safety field for its multi-mission capabilities.”

With its new acquisition, the Columbus Division of Police plans to utilise its aircraft for critical public safety missions, such as aerial patrol, airborne law enforcement safety and assistance of ground-based officers, along with other critical search missions. In the coming months, the Columbus Division of Police plans to send its pilots to train on the Bell 505 platform at the Bell Training Academy in Fort Worth, Texas.

Combining its Safran Arrius 2R engine, dual channel FADEC and Garmin G1000H NXi all-glass avionics suite with a moving map display, the Bell 505 is one of the most technologically advanced platforms in its class. The added benefit of wide panoramic windows, open cabin design and synthetic vision technology has classified the Bell 505 as an ideal aircraft for those in the public safety industry.