Dart Aerospace has secured EASA STC certification for its external cargo Heli-Utility-Basket designed for the Bell 505.

The approval extends Dart Aerospace’s portfolio of certified utility baskets, adding the Bell 505 to a line-up that already covers platforms such as the H125, Bell 407, R66 and AW119, alongside other helicopter models produced by Airbus, Bell, Leonardo and Robinson.

Intended for both utility and VIP missions, the Bell 505 Heli-Utility-Basket is engineered for rapid installation and external carriage of skis, cargo hooks, tools, equipment and other mission-critical items. The unit is manufactured from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and finished in a high-gloss, scratch-resistant white coating to support long-term durability and a clean exterior profile.

Operational features include a self-locking handle to secure the lid and contain cargo in flight, as well as a gas spring mechanism to enable controlled opening and closing. With EASA STC approval in place, the solution provides a compliant external cargo option tailored to the requirements of European Bell 505 operators.