Inside The $2 Million Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Inside The $2 Million Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter

0:00 - Intro
This is the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, the new five-seat short light single that fills the void in the Bell product line left when production of the ubiquitous Bell 206B JetRanger ceased in 2010. Here is everything you need to know about the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.

1:21 - Cabin
Stepping inside, one of the first things you'll notice is its surprising spaciousness for a light helicopter category. With an overall cabin volume of approximately 22 square feet or 2 meters, the aircraft comfortably accommodates up to 4 passengers and 1 pilot. The flat floor provides more usable space and makes it easier to adapt the cabin for various roles, from executive travel to utility missions.
The cabin interiors are customizable, offering a range of finishes and materials to suit different tastes, and provide a clean, modern aesthetic that is functional and visually pleasing.
The Bell 505 features modifiable high-back seating with contouring to maximize comfort during longer flights. The visibility from both the pilot and passenger seats is excellent, thanks to the panoramic windows.
The Bell 505 does an admirable job of minimizing cabin noise and vibration.
The aircraft comes with a standard heating system, and there's an option for air conditioning.
The Bell 505 offers a rear baggage compartment with about 18 cubic feet or 510 liters of space, accessible externally.

4:03 - Cockpit
Stepping inside the cockpit, one of the most noticeable design elements is the unobstructed field of view, facilitated by large windows on all sides.
One of the highlights of the Bell 505 is its Garmin G1000H Integrated Avionics Suite, built around dual 10.4-inch LCD displays, which are multifunctional and can be configured to show a range of information.
One of the strengths of the Garmin G1000H is its user-friendliness. The system is built with a simple menu structure and minimal nested pages, making it intuitive even for pilots new to glass cockpits. The soft keys at the bottom of the display change dynamically based on the page you're on, offering a quick and efficient way to navigate through options.
The PFD on the left screen offers essential flight data such as airspeed, altitude, and heading, along with the vertical speed indicator and attitude reference. Advanced features like synthetic vision and highway-in-the-sky can be integrated.
The MFD, on the right screen, gives the pilot flexibility to pull up engine monitoring systems, fuel management readouts, and even weather radar information if the system is so equipped. The MFD can also be configured to display real-time moving maps and a traffic collision avoidance system.
While not standard, the G1000H can be seamlessly integrated with a two-axis autopilot system, which makes it possible to manage altitude hold, heading modes, and other advanced features.
The avionics suite also comes with a comprehensive communication panel, featuring VHF radios for both comm and nav, along with optional ADS-B In/Out capability. The system also supports a wide array of navigation aids such as GPS, ILS, VOR, and DME, to name a few. The G1000H also offers optional features like the Terrain Awareness and Warning System and the Synthetic Vision Technology.

6:31 - Engine, Performance Specs, and Flying Experience
Now, let’s talk about the engine, performance specifications, and how it flies. The Bell 505 is powered by a Turbomeca Arrius 2R turboshaft engine with a TBO of 3,000 hours, equipped with a dual-channel FADEC system. The engine is rated at 504 shaft horsepower, but it's worth noting that the engine is derated to 457 SHP for takeoff and 393 SHP for maximum continuous operation.
The engines allow a maximum rate of climb per minute of 1,370 feet or 420 meters, and a maximum cruising altitude of 18,610 feet or 5,670 meters. The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 125 knots, with an average hourly fuel burn of 25 gallons or 95 liters.
The helicopter has a maximum range of 306 nautical miles, which is 350 miles or 565 kilometers, with a maximum net payload of 1,500 pounds or 680 kilograms and a full-fuel payload of 1,100 pounds or 500 kilograms.

7:49 - Purchase and Charter Price
The base purchase price for a new Bell 505 is $2 million before options, and the charter price is estimated at $1,200 to $1,800 per hour. Naturally, prices will vary depending on availability, fuel prices, ground fees, and more.

8:08 - Operating Cost
While the annual fixed cost is roughly $100,000 to $150,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $600 to $900.

8:20 - Outro

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