-KATHMANDU
Summit Helicopters (previously Fishtail Air), charter helicopter operator of Nepal will conduct Bell Jet Ranger X Experimental and Demonstration Flight for the helicopter operator as the first type in Nepal. The Experimental and Demonstration will be carried out at the high altitude of Nepal to test the performance of the Bell Jet Ranger X series.
According to the Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, the company has shipped a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X from Canada to Singapore as it begins a three-month-long tour in the region. The aircraft starting from Jakarta, Indonesia, earlier this month, the Bell 505 will make stops in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as in Nepal.
According to a source, authorities of Summit Helicopter are currently working on with documentation procedure needed to be submitted to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to commence the demonstration flight.
Summit Helicopter in 2016 had planned to prepend two each factory-made Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters soon into its fleet and had already made an MOU signing agreement with Bell Helicopters on behalf of Simrik Helitrade for bringing two new Bell 505 series helicopter in October 7, 2016 as their fleet expansion plan. The company was the first operator in Nepal to introduce Bell helicopter in Nepal and it will be probably the first operator to debut Bell 505 helicopter in Nepal. The company is currently operating another Bell helicopter of 206 series.
The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is Bell Helicopter’s new five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability through the use of advanced avionics technology. It incorporates proven dynamic components, advanced aerodynamic design, a dual channel FADEC Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine and best-in-class value.
As per the Bell Helicopter Company, the reliability, speed, performance, and maneuverability of the Bell 505 and spacious cabin can be configured to carry up to four passengers or configured for internal cargo missions by removing quickly disconnect rear cabin seats and/or copilot seat. The Bell 505’s flat floor cabin design and large rectangular baggage compartment let the Bell 505 adapt to the changing mission needs. These features combined with a proven and reliable drivetrain and rotor system make the Bell 505 a true multi-mission aircraft in the short light single-engine market.
Currently, two Nepalese helicopters operators; Summit Helicopters and Simrik Air operate their Bell 206 and 407 GXP helicopter, manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc in Nepalese Sky. Rest of all the helicopter operators operates AS350 B3 and MI17 series helicopter manufactured by Airbus Helicopter in France and Russia respectively.
