Middle Eastern operators back Bell’s 505 and 525 helicopters

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Bell Helicopter has received multiple orders from customers in the Middle East. BBM Inc. signed a letter of intent for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and Bell 525 Relentless, while K Aircraft Leasing and Wallan Aviation both ordered Bell 525 helicopters.

Steve Suttles, Bell Helicopter’s vice president and managing director of Middle East and African sales, said: “These two aircraft have continued to impress our customers in the Middle East with their highly advanced technology and multi-mission capabilities. These aircraft will be a perfect addition to their fleet and will give their customers the support their operators are looking for.”

BBM Inc.’s Bell 505 will be used to perform training missions while the Bell 525 will be outfitted to perform head of state transport throughout the region.

“The Bell 525 Relentless is a marvel of modern technology.”

Fred Hees, CEO of BBM Inc, said: “The Bell 505 is the perfect low cost training solution for our austere environments. With proven new technology that enhances capability and visibility, we will integrate and set the stage for successive training of future aviators across two continents and multiple Bell platforms. The Bell 525 Relentless is a marvel of modern technology that will provide our customers capability beyond expectations.”

K Aircraft Leasing, a US-based helicopter charter service, will use its two Bell 525s will be configured to perform oil and gas missions in the Middle Eastern region.

Saudi Arabian aircraft operator and authorized Independent Representative (IR), Wallan Aviation, plans to have its Bell 525 configured for general/utility missions.

“We decided to add a Bell 525 to our fleet because of our very successful experience with other Bell helicopters,” said Saad Wallan, chairman of Wallan Aviation. “The Bell 525 provides us with an ideal aircraft suited for extreme weather conditions in the super medium aircraft class, which is critical in the Middle East.”