Bell has delivered a 505 light single helicopter to the Fort Worth Police Department, joining the department’s two Bell 206s at its hangar at Texas's Meacham International Airport.
The rotorcraft manufacturer established its helicopter division in Fort Worth in 1951 and it remains headquartered there today with more than 4,200 employees. “Bell is proud to continue the long legacy of supporting the Fort Worth Police Department and public safety initiatives in our growing community,” said company CEO Mitch Snyder.
Also known as the Jet Ranger X, the Bell 505 was introduced in 2014 and certified by the FAA in 2017. More than 300 Bell 505s are currently operating in more than 55 countries on six continents, surpassing 50,000 total fleet flight hours. The model has a top speed of 125 knots and a useful load of 1,500 pounds. It features the Garmin G1000H digital avionics suite and is powered by a 504-shp Safran Arrius 2R engine.