The Bell 505: Introducing the Height of Military VTOL Pilot Training

In its 90-year history, Bell has trained more than 130,000 pilots and mechanics including the first U.S. Army pilots in 1946.  To date, the Bell 505 serves as the premier training platform for militaries in Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Indonesia, Iraq and South Korea, preparing pilots for mission readiness in modern warfare.

Since its introduction in 2017, the Bell 505 has accumulated more than 300k flight hours and operates in more than 55 countries across six continents. Based on the proven Bell 206L-4 drivetrain, the Bell 505 brings that familiar feel of its predecessor and elevates it with intuitive avionics, supreme handling and fuel efficiency, supported by a global network of trusted specialists in their respective fields for MRO, simulator training and innovation.

Time and again, the Bell 505 proved itself a solid ally– the type of workhorse you would want ‘in your corner’ in even the most critical situations.

Sometimes predictability is a wonderful thing
The Bell 505 experience enables cadets to learn the basic principles of flight and their instructors to focus on teaching. Reassuringly predictable in its handling and performance, the platform is not only forgiving, with a rotor system that allows for longer reaction times, it’s responsive and stable, even in turbulence or challenging terrain. Metal rotor blades with high inertia allow for excellent auto-rotational capability – giving great lift with minimal drag. The powerful Safran Arrius 2R engine is equipped with dual-channel FADEC – the only one of its kind in its class – and offers supreme fuel efficiency and superior power at altitude. These and so many elements that have been carefully considered, combine to build confidence in pilots.

Flexible and versatile – a classroom in the air
Single-pilot flight can happen from the left or right seat in the front, with plenty of room for pilots with headsets, helmets and NVGs. The open cabin design, with its stadium seating for passengers in the back, means that students can follow what is happening from all seats, maximizing the training capability for that classroom in the sky feel. The surrounding glass cockpit also allows optimal visibility all round.

The all-glass cockpit and intuitive Garmin G1000H™ flight deck present critical data in one location and a moving map display all help to simplify procedures, even in emergency situations. Pilot workload is reduced, and confidence is increased.

Cost-effective, bespoke solutions for modern militaries
Designed to be affordable throughout its lifecycle, the Bell 505 delivers operational readiness, in a platform that can be tailor-made for cadets to train on the platform most suited to their real-world needs.

Predictive maintenance results in minimal downtime and low operating costs; while the avionics suite collects data that maintenance staff can quickly diagnose and resolve any issues that arise. World-wide parts support and a team of dedicated round-the-clock Customer Service Engineers and Product Support Engineers ensure any Bell 505 maintains optimal readiness. 

Simulation training for safety, cost efficiency and concise training scenarios
Most recently, Bell added additional capability through its sister company, TRU Simulation™, by offering comprehensive training in a simulated environment that combines real-world experience with advanced technology. The Veris Virtual Reality Flight Simulator, paired with the Bell 505, is FAA Level 7 qualified and sets a new standard for military aviation readiness.

Equipped with a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform and a full Garmin G1000H avionics suite, students can fully immerse themselves in realistic, high-stress situations – in a safe and controlled environment. When they take to the air, they have built experience and confidence in the platform to take on real-world challenges in this, the beginning of their career as a military pilot.