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Bell 505 Jet Ranger X


Jaybee

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With respect to the "Killer Hiller" remark...

 

First let us keep in mind that the FH1100 beat the 206 to the market by a bit. Fairchild-Hiller just started selling the same aircraft to civilians as they proposed to the military. Bell had to redesign their OH-4 LOH entry into what we now know as the 206A. In 1966, Bell's focus was on winning the LOH re-bid. Fairchild-Hiller had already given up on that contract and started selling the FH1100 on the civilian market, getting a slight jump on the boys from Fort Worth. As a kid, I remember seeing FH1100's around before 206's.

 

Also, there is nothing different about the FH1100's rotor system today than back when it was first introduced. So why were rotors coming off?

 

We have to remember that back in the mid-1960's helicopters were 70-80 mph aircraft. Then along came the FH1100 which would cruise all day long at 127 mph. You simply cannot get away with stuff at 127 mph that you can at 80. I believe that the instances of mast-bumping in the early FH1100 were simply due to unskilled pilots being unfamiliar with cruising at nearly double the speed of their former 47J's.

 

Whistlerpilot says:

The new Jet Ranger presumably will be lighter than the original...

 

 

Really? How do you figure that? The last 206B I flew was not plushed-out, had no rotor brake and was on high-skids. It weighed 1832 pounds.

 

I'm pretty sure that the 505 will be heavier than a 206B. Bigger transmission, bigger rotor system, bigger (non-composite) cabin, heavier seats, bigger engine... I'd be really, really surprised if Bell can bring it to production at much under 2,000 pounds (low skids, basic Utility interior). I'd love to eat these words! There may be a reason Bell hasn't even published any anticipated empty weight for the thing. They probably don't want people going, "Good GOD! That pig's heavier than my old B-model...the one with IFR instruments and the Janitrol heater!!"

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Nothing new here, but a short video from the marketers.

 

http://skiesmag.com/news/article/VideoFeatureBellHelicopteronthe505JetRangerX#.UyChM4WwXg8st

 

After thinking more about the 505 I think the CG issues with the mast location will not be a problem because the passenger locations are on average a shorter arm than a Long Ranger. Such a long diameter rotor and high mast on a shorter (than the LR) cabin will work fine. The fuel tank(s) location will be better than the LR and 407 with the CG Forward Back Forward fuel burn situation. Sounds like it will be fast, great visibility, all comes down to price to compete with the R66. Will blow the EC 120 away (especially price) in everything except looks and compact size. It's a long helicopter with those big rotors and long tail so not the best for really tight confines. However you can usually get a Long Ranger into an Astar hover-hole so it will get the job done.

 

I think the concept of using existing technology will work to keep the price down. What fun to be an armchair critic! I feel so damn important, Bell should be putting me on payroll. Now if they manufactured it in China it could be really cheap...

 

How does the saying go, you can have Fast, Good, and Cheap, but only two at a time.

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What I got out of the video posted by Whistlerpilot is:

 

1) They're claiming a 125 knot cruise speed!

 

2) They hope to have the first flight at the end of 2014.

 

If they get 125 knots in cruise out of that thing I will eat my shorts. That's over 140 mph. On a two-blade system with only 500 h.p.? No friggin' way.

 

A lot can and will change between now and first flight.

 

 

 

P.S. And you know what? I just thought of something else...

 

125 knots with all that glass windscreen out front? Two words: Bird strike.

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I did part of the filming of that video. I spoke to a lot of the Bell people about the 505 during filming, I think the numbers are going to be less than what they advertise now, but for anyone who saw the first artist conception of the Bell 407 and what it ended up as a final product, we all know that the first iteration of something is usually vastly different from the production model. From crawling around in it, I do love the new cabin feel, but flying it will be the big test. I can't wait to hear some feedback once it flies from someone who gets some stick time.

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“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it”

 

When Airbus (Eurocopter) decides to R&D new concepts, they go to their customer base and asked what they would like to see in their (Airbuses) new platforms. From there, the EC130 (tour market) and 135 (EMS market) were developed. Bell on the other hand seems to hold steadfast to development of a new concept in hopes of attracting the customer base, after-the-fact (refer to quoted 1st sustenance). In the recent past, this philosophy has let them down ala 427 and the 210. With this being said, on the surface, it would appear Airbus wants to satisfy the customer while Bell wants to make a profit….

 

It’s clear, the 505 is being developed to compete with the R66. Why? Simply because people will want the additional passenger and, the fact there are folks who refuse to buy a Robinson product….

 

Simon Sinek speaks of the “why” idea along with relevant story telling (Samuel Pierpont Langley and TiVo) in addition to true business concepts (The Law of Diffusion of Innovation). Bell could learn from this. I know I did…. Checkitout……

 

http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action

Edited by Spike
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Spike:

It’s clear, the 505 is being developed to compete with the R66. Why? Simply because people will want the additional passenger...

 

 

Both the R-66 and 505 are 5-seat helicopters, no? If anything, I think Bell is trying to win back the defectors who went and bought an R-44 and are now looking for a turbine ship that's better-looking than the goofy R-66 (oopsie!). Or is that what you meant?

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  • 1 year later...

275 hours of flight testing so far, and all reports sound positive for the 505. Looking forward to the first post on VR from someone who has actually flown the 505. With certification anticipated before Christmas that could be soon...

 

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/32307

 

Edited by Whistlerpilot
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  • 5 weeks later...

Has anyone heard any high and hot numbers since that testing was completed about a month ago? Their brochure states:

 

Hover Ceiling IGE MGW @ 14,000 ft

Hover Ceiling OGE MGW @ 12,000 ft

 

Are these the real numbers are are these the original estimated numbers?

 

I didn't realize how big the footprint of the 505 is. Overall length appears to be 2 ft longer than an EC130 and 4 ft longer than an R66. The main rotor diameter is also larger, again its 2 ft larger than an EC130 and 4 ft larger than an R66. It looks like you'll need plenty of room during those off-airport landings in the 505.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

No official gross weights yet, but the useful load went from 1500 plus pounds on the brochure to 1458 pounds on the build specs......damn things are always heavier than the engineers think. I like mine better as red with the white lightining stripe...

 

So the numbers that I am working off of looks to be 3,750 max gross with a empty weight of around 2292 pounds.....but what do I know, only time will tell for sure.

Edited by Goldy
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What's that about 10 minutes of fuel? Bummer!

 

That's about what the 206B3s useful load was right?

Well it's based on the 206LR which is 4450 max gross, so I keep questioning if the new ship will use the same max....but either way, the useful load is still only 1458 pounds.

 

Sure seems like it should be more.....

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  • 3 years later...

Oh also the cabin was large and comfortable compared to a 206b3, but he did have balance issues and kept a sand bag in it and even with the longer skids it was precariously balanced on them. He said the skid length was a major issue for worrying about it tipping on any kind of slope.

Edited by Fred0311
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Well if you ask Mark at Rocky Mountain Rotors in Montana, he has a very opposite opinion. They have one and fly it in high altitudes around the Bozeman area and love it. The recent article and cover of Rotorcraft Pro has the pictire of his.

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Well if you ask Mark at Rocky Mountain Rotors in Montana, he has a very opposite opinion. They have one and fly it in high altitudes around the Bozeman area and love it. The recent article and cover of Rotorcraft Pro has the pictire of his.

 

Yes I read that article and was thinking the same thing.

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