Story ID: 556
Bell Inks Major China 505 Order
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The deal, when completed, will make China's Reignwood Aviaition the world's largest operator of the type.
Word Count: 180
China’s Reignwood Aviation is set to become the world’s largest fleet operator of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X light-single helicopter after the airframer announced a 50-ship order yesterday at Heli-Expo. The order, to be delivered over the next three years, is in addition to a previous 10-unit deal.

“There has been an overwhelming global response since the initial launch of the Bell 505, and we are thrilled to have Reignwood as one of our largest operators of this incredible aircraft in China,” said Patrick Moulay, the airframer’s executive v-p for commercial sales and marketing. The operator will add the new helicopters to its fleet, which currently includes the Bell 206, 407GX and 429, in use in a variety of missions.

“We are excited to be celebrating this milestone with our friends at Bell Helicopter and are eager to begin operating our fleet of Bell 505s,” said Reignwood chairman Galba Zheng. “Our partnership with Bell Helicopter is very important to us and they have proven their aircraft and customer support and service to be outstanding.”