Aircraft
Bell Relentlessly Pursuing FAA Certification for 525
Company continues to work with agency to get the super-medium, fly-by-wire helicopter approved
Bell 525 Relentless Helicopter on airport ramp
The second flight-test Bell 525, FTV2, is conducting cold-weather testing in Wisconsin and Canada.

Making his Verticon debut as Bell Textron’s president and CEO, Danny Maldonado outlined his company’s successes in 2025 while also acknowledging that the super-medium-twin Bell 525 Relentless once again eluded FAA certification.

“We delivered 169 helicopters last year, with 10,000 Bells now in service,” he told the media on Monday at the show. “We also ramped up our aftermarket [support] and our investment in our people, our facilities, and our products; accelerated the MV75 program; and celebrated the advancement to Phase 3 of the Army’s Flight School Next program.”