Two new light helicopter singles are gaining more country certifications. Australia has certified the new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, the second country to do so behind Canada. Bell representative Hawker Pacific plans to deliver five new 505s into Australia and three into New Zealand in the next 12 months. The first of these deliveries is slated for Australia's Nautilus Aviation by the middle of this year.
Worldwide, Bell has more than 400 letters of intent for the Jet Ranger X. Initial certification was awarded by Transport Canada in December and the first customer delivery is expected to occur this month.
Separately, this week EASA validated the type certification for Robinson's two-seat R44 Cadet, facilitating initial orders for three aircraft in that market. The Cadet has a base price of $344,000 and was initially certified by the FAA last May. In 2016 Robinson delivered 12 Cadets. The Cadet shares the same airframe, rotors and Lycoming O-540-F1B5 engine of the four-seat $385,000 R44 Raven I, but features a 200-pound lower maximum gross weight and derated engine power to provide better performance margins.