Bell feature.qxp_GA News DEC06 13/06/2016 13:24 Page 1
FEATURED HELICOPTER - Bell 525 Relentless
THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE Bell aims sky-high with new Super-Mid-Size helicopter
By Matt Harris
It’s safe to say that, having engaged operators and pilots throughout its design procedure, Bell Helicopter’s 525 Relentless will tick more than a few boxes for those seeking stylish, efficient VIP helicopter travel… Bell 525 Relentless. Offering a top cruise speed of 178mph and selling for an estimated $15m (as reported in the Daily Mail recently), according to Bell the Relentless is being developed to offer “best-in-class payload range capability”. With a maximum range of 500 miles non-stop and capacity for up to 20 passengers it certainly delivers the combination the corporate or VIP passenger needs to travel cost- and time-effectively. A pair of GE CT7-2F1 engines and a new composite five-blade main rotor system on the Bell 525 Relentless play a big role in the impressive performance. First flight was scheduled imminently at the time of writing, and certification will be ongoing throughout 2016 at Bell’s Amarillo, Texas facility, with customer deliveries currently due to start in 2017.
Detailed Design The Bell 525 Relentless is designed with various missions in mind, including search and rescue, emergency medical service, oil and offshore, and VIP transportation. To ensure it hits the right note with its operators, Bell considered and incorporated feedback from other aircraft customers and designs. As an example of the sheer depth of detail that went into the interior, several years ago Bell's customer support team received a request for a deeper cup-holder in
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another model. Such feedback was recalled during the design of the Bell 525. "Even the smallest bits of customer feedback flowed back to the main design engineer," emphasizes Charlotte Martin, senior engineer for furnishings & equipment. Offering an impressive 88 sq. ft. floor area, Bell proposed a passenger cabin seating up to 16, but additional design work has enabled up to 20 (in high-density cabin configuration) if required.
VIP Customization Special 'add-ons' and customization kits are available for VIP configurations and the Bell 525 Relentless can be equipped with the types of technology and entertainment amenities that are more commonly found aboard private jets. Passenger comfort was of ultimate importance to the designers - from the smaller touches of individual reading lights and air conditioning outlets for each passenger, to the incorporation of wider seating and cushioning for comfort, and color combinations that are chosen with the customer in mind.
Tech Savvy While VIP passengers enjoy the comfort of their cabin environment, they’ll also enjoy the peace of mind the cutting-edge, safety-enhancing flight panel brings. Some of the most advanced systems used in helicopter aircraft will be incorporated into the Bell 525 Relentless. It will become the first commercial fly-by-wire helicopter, better equipping pilots to operate demanding missions safely and reliably, with decreased pilot workload. And the flight-panel selected is the state-of-the-art Garmin G5000H touchscreen avionics suite, enhancing situational awareness and improving pilot integration. Bell has received approximately 50 customer orders, and the manufacturer makes a bold claim when it says its 525 Relentless will deliver a “best-in-class passenger experience” for operators. From the evidence, though, it would seem they have a valid case… I
Find VIP and Corporate helicopters for sale visit - www.avbuyer.com Words by Matt Harris, AvBuyer Orginally published in H-Edition Magazine - www.heditionmagazine.com
Oversized swivel seating, conference layouts and a mini-galley can all be incorporated into the VIP cabin, and Bell will work with customers to accommodate the most demanding desires. "This aircraft takes a different approach," Martin summarizes. "It has personality."
Images: courtesy of Bell Helicopter