Bell Signs Orders For Four Helicopters in Europe

Bell Textron expanded its European customer base, announcing new helicopter sales with operators based in Germany and Slovakia. The deals—signed last week at the European Rotors show in Cologne—added three Bell 505s and a Bell 429 to the U.S. manufacturer’s backlog.

With its German dealer, Rheinland Air Service, Bell signed a contract with Heli Transair for the light-single-engine 505s, which will be deployed mainly for powerline patrols and cargo transportation, but also be used for pilot training. The Frankfurt-based operator mainly supports major energy providers and also has bases at Osnabrück, Kiel, and Landshut.

According to Bell, the 505 has the highest hook load capability in its class. It is powered by a Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft with a dual Fadec.

Air Transport Europe agreed to add a fifth Bell 429 twin to its fleet and this also will be equipped for emergency medical flights. The company, headquartered at Popgrad in the Tatra mountains region, has seven bases in Slovakia and two more in the neighboring Czech Republic.