A single, dedicated Bell 505, pictured here, has surpassed 700 flight hours using blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

“Bell is proud to celebrate this next step in industry carbon reduction objectives,” says Robin Wendling, managing director of Europe. “Working alongside Safran Helicopter Engines has given us the cutting-edge advantage of exploring opportunities in greener aviation practices.”

In March 2022, Bell announced its collaboration with Safran Helicopter Engines to explore the technical performance and economic impacts of SAF on the Bell 505 powered by the Arrius 2R engine. Nearly one year later, the Bell 505 became the first-ever single engine helicopter to fly with 100 per cent SAF during a demonstration flight. Since July 2022, Bell has accumulated over 700 flight hours using blended SAF on a single Bell 505 helicopter at the Bell Training Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. Assessments of engine operability and aircraft performance as well as engine inspections have yielded positive results to date.

Jean-François Sauer, Safran Helicopter Engines, EVP programmes, comments: “We are particularly pleased with these SAF flights in partnership with Bell. SAF is key towards more sustainable helicopter use. The Arrius 2R, like all our engines, is currently able to operate with up to 50 per cent drop-in SAF. Very soon, our engines will be capable of 100 per cent drop-in SAF, paving the way for wider use of this type of fuel for increased sustainability of helicopter operations.”