Bell 525 Prototype #1 Goes Down

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Jesus I saw a bunch of people and choppers outside their hangar at GKY this morning...can't even imagine thinking it was maybe one of those was about to launch on its last flight.

RIP to the crew and condolences to the whole Bell family. I've had family who worked there and it seemed a very tight knit group.
 
Sad to see. And not a good start for this helicopter thats purpose-built for the industry, rather than an adaption of an existing model.
 
BobDDuck said:
I don't think the 525 was every intended to be used for HEMS. It's a 15 to 20 person, medium distance transport. Totally aimed at the petroleum market.
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THIS!!
PHI is the launch customer (or was when Relentless was announced)

From report:
"The helicopter departing Arlington at 10:39 LT (15:39 UTC). It proceeded to the south were it flew pattern at altitudes between 2000 and 3000 feet. Last data point is at 1975 feet, at a speed of 199 kts at 11:47 hours."

There was a chase aircraft that was filming according to Bell source.
 
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dustoff17 said:
THIS!!
PHI is the launch customer (or was when Relentless was announced)

From report:
"The helicopter departing Arlington at 10:39 LT (15:39 UTC). It proceeded to the south were it flew pattern at altitudes between 2000 and 3000 feet. Last data point is at 1975 feet, at a speed of 199 kts at 11:47 hours."

There was a chase aircraft that was filming according to Bell source.
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That data isn't from the ADC, right? ground speed?

I heard that Bell just asked to put the PHI colors on it, and they have no options/orders from that company. At this rate, with dozen of S92s and other aircraft in storage, it'll be awhile before the O&G sector takes new deliveries of anything.
 
BobDDuck said:
I don't think the 525 was every intended to be used for HEMS. It's a 15 to 20 person, medium distance transport. Totally aimed at the petroleum market.
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Ah ok, for some reason between the fact that it was miked commenting on it and the 525 website showing one in air ambo setup I assumed he was talking about the As350 air ambo and other utility market. Which given the size difference between the two aircraft had me confused.
 
deadstick said:
That data isn't from the ADC, right? ground speed?

I heard that Bell just asked to put the PHI colors on it, and they have no options/orders from that company. At this rate, with dozen of S92s and other aircraft in storage, it'll be awhile before the O&G sector takes new deliveries of anything.
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Especially with oil prices what they are.
 
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