The Bell 525 is a medium lift helicopter primarily aimed at supporting offshore oil and gas operations.
It’s also been proposed to military customers for search and rescue and troop transport, with an ability to carry up to 20 passengers.
As of last December 2021, the helicopter has not yet been certified, despite Bell’s plans to certify in 2017.
It includes a fly-by-wire system
with complex control laws that
convert pilot inputs into higher-level commands—pilots
have little "direct control" of the helicopter.
This complexity may have contributed to some delays in development and certification.
The 525 will likely become the first commercial fly-by-wire helicopter.
The cost of a 525 has not yet been determined, but it will need to be competitive with the
Airbus H175 and the AgustaWestland AW189, which have similar capabilities. |
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