Bell extends order for 50 505s to Reignwood Aviation

Bell Helicopters will sell an additional 50 aircraft to Chinese operator Reignwood – bringing the order number to 110 505 helicopters.

This extends on Reignwood’s previous order of 50 Bell 505s and brings its total 505 fleet to 110.

The agreement was signed by Bell’s CEO Mitch Snyder and Zheng Gang, chairman of Reignwood Aviation, and witnessed by US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross as part of US President Donald Trump’s trade mission to China.

Snyder said: “Between Shaanxi Helicopter’s order for 100 Bell 407GXPs and Reignwood’s purchase agreements for 110 Bell 505s, demand for Bell helicopters in China has surged this year. This signature solidifies our relationship with Reignwood and our commitment to develop the commercial rotorcraft industry in China.”

The agreement will see Reignwoood act as the exclusive reseller for the 505 in China and establish a Bell 505 delivery and maintenance centre in the region. Reignwood will be adding the 110 Bell 505s to its existing fleet of 206, 407GX and 429 helicopters.

“We are pleased to have finalised this agreement with Bell Helicopters,” said Zheng. “We look forward to bringing the Bell 505 to customers in China and growing the use of helicopters in the corporate, tourism and utility sectors.”

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X recently received its Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil Aviation certifications.