Bell Sets Sights on 2023 Certification for 525 Relentless Helicopter | Ainonline.com | Aviation International News

Bell Sets Sights on 2023 Certification for 525 Helo

Bell CEO Mitch Snyder notes that final type approval is in the FAA hands but the company's intent is to complete certification this year.

Bell 525 Relentless Helicopter on airport ramp — Bell is in final certification testing of its 525 Relentless and in tandem is seeking icing approvals. (Photo: Bell)

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

February 2, 2023

Bell is in the final throes of the certification program for the 525 Relentless and anticipates certification of the super-medium, twin-engine helicopter by year-end, company executives said during a recent media day in Fort Worth, Texas. “We're making great progress towards certification. Our intent is to certify this year,” said Bell president and CEO Mitch Snyder. But he also caveated that ultimately this will be in the hands of the FAA.

Certification work on the 525's fly-by-wire system, an industry first for commercial helicopters, is for the most part complete as is most of Bell’s tasks under its organization delegation authorization, according to 525 program director Derek Mookhoek. “Everything that's in our control…we're doing that, and we're running out of that work,” he said. The remainder involves certification flight tests, FAA review, and final approvals.

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Bell 525

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