Bell 505 logs over 700 hours fuelled by blended SAF
700 up and counting: one Bell 505 has flown over 700 flight hours powered by SAF.
Bell Textron has revealed one of its Bell 505 single-engine helicopters has logged more than 700 flight hours fuelled by blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Bell Training Academy. Fort Worth, Texas. The milestone shows Bell’s commitment to SAF and builds on its sustainability practices in its flight operations, claims the manufacturer.
Robin Wendling, MD of Europe, Bell said the company was proud to achieve this key step in industry carbon reduction objectives. “Working alongside Safran Helicopter Engines has given us the cutting-edge advantage of exploring opportunities in greener aviation practices,” said Wendling.
Jean-François Sauer, executive vice president, Programmes, Safran Helicopter Engines said: “We are particularly pleased with these SAF flights in partnership with Bell. SAF is key towards more sustainable helicopter use.”
The Arrius 2R, which powers the Bell 505, like all Safran engines, can operate with up to 50% drop-in SAF. “Very soon, our engines will be capable of 100% drop-in SAF, paving the way for wider use of this type of fuel for increased sustainability of helicopter operations,” he said.
Assessments of engine operability, aircraft performance and engine inspections have yielded positive results to date, said the company.
The OEM and Safran announced their plan to explore the technical performance and economic impacts of SAF on the Arrius 2R-powered Bell 505 in March 2022. The partners are evaluating engine and aircraft performance data to assess the benefits associated with the incorporation of SAF. Speaking at the time, Bruno Bellanger, executive vice president, Programmes, Safran Helicopter Engines said: “We strongly believe in SAF, as it contributes to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. As all our helicopter engines, the Arrius 2R, is already certified to operate on up to 50% SAF, and we are fully ready to assist all Bell 505 operators worldwide in their transition from conventional fossil fuels to SAF.”
Bell revealed the its SAF at the European Rotors show in Cologne, Germany. Read more news from the manufacturer and other rotary companies here.
