Rotorcraft
Bell 525 Will Certify with Four Test Aircraft
Progress is continuing despite the halting of flight testing.
Bell 525 flight-test vehicle two (FTV2) will be one of four ships used for FAA certification. Before FTV1 crashed in July, the original plan called for five helicopters. Bell is working with the FAA and NTSB to get the 525 test fleet back in the air following the crash. (Photo: Bell Helicopter)
Bell 525 flight-test vehicle two (FTV2) will be one of four ships used for FAA certification. Before FTV1 crashed in July, the original plan called for five helicopters. Bell is working with the FAA and NTSB to get the 525 test fleet back in the air following the crash. (Photo: Bell Helicopter)

Bell will certify the 525 Relentless using four test aircraft, and a senior Bell executive maintains the company retains confidence in the super-medium twin’s original design. The program has stood down flying since the fatal crash of the first prototype, FTV1, registered as N525TA, on July 6.


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