Tag Archives: bellhelicopters
A Helicopter of Hope: Bell Aircraft Helping Rocket EMS Save Lives in South Africa
Having a fully equipped aircraft couldn’t be more critical than when it comes to Helicopter
Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) missions. In many emergency scenarios, especially in
remote locations, helicopters often remain the sole method of quickly transporting patients to
hospitals. For Henley Air, the Bell 230 and Bell 222 are consistently relied on to provide vital
care to people throughout the country. Now, its mission has expanded, thanks to the
capabilities of its Bell fleet.
Henley Air has a dedicated division for HEMS operations known as Rocket EMS, serving as
a non-profit that provides medical transportation in the region. In late June, Rocket EMS
unveiled its vision for Kids Flight – an initiative designed to enable medical transportation for
children. While not an exclusive pediatric service, Henley Air wants to leverage existing
resources to pave the way for accessible EMS operations that support children and patients
in the region. Kids Flight will be managed by Rocket and Henley Air with investment from
local businesses.
To celebrate the beginning of this endeavor, Rocket EMS unveiled one of the Bell 230 air
ambulance helicopters branded in new Kids Flight livery. The design was inspired by the
ROCKET founders’ daughters canvassing their ideas – a personal family touch.
In South Africa, emergency response teams also assist in the distribution of supplies,
medicine and other forms of aid to affected areas in operations that cover large areas.
Henley Air, together with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, the largest disaster response,
non-governmental organization on the African continent, joined forces to distribute supplies
to those affected by a recent disaster.
Using Henley Air’s Bell 222 aircraft, emergency aid, including food, water and medicine, was
air dropped to hundreds of affected families in the town of Keimoes, which was affected by
severe flooding.
The Bell 222 and Bell 230 can be configured for HEMS or utility transport missions and
accommodate eight passengers on board. They have been reliable assets in the country to
support numerous transportation missions for business and emergency needs. Now, the
aircraft will be used for a new purpose with Kids Flight and save even more lives.
Bell is on its own mission to change the way the world flies – with superior vertical lift that
helps save lives, while also playing a critical role in the safety operations of those affected by
disasters across the globe.
Bell Announces Delivery of 300 th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today
the 300th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X delivery to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). The first Bell 505 was
delivered in 2017, and today there are 300 aircraft in operation across six continents, with customers
logging more than 70,000 global fleet hours.
“The Bell 505 is one of Bell’s fastest growing commercial programs to date, surpassing several significant
milestones since its inception,” said Michael Thacker, Executive Vice President, Innovation and
Commercial Business. “As we continue to see interest for the aircraft in Public Safety, Utility and
Corporate transport, Bell has invested in new products and technologies to expand the Bell 505’s
capabilities.”
The latest Bell 505 platform advancements include the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite, Flight Stream,
Autopilot, Lightweight EMS interior, Bell Public Safety configuration, Pulselite, FliteStep, LHS Baggage
Door and Moveable Ballast.
“We are proud to take delivery of the 300 th Bell 505 and expand our fleet capabilities.” said Lt. Col. Brian
Lundy, commanding officer of the JDF Air Wing. “JDF and Bell have a strong history together and today’s
delivery marks another milestone in our relationship.” The Force’s sixth Bell 505 will support Public Safety
missions to serve the citizens of Jamaica and be operated by its Caribbean Military Aviation School
(CMAS) to train the international rotorcraft pilots of tomorrow.
With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is Bell’s
newest five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability using advanced avionics technology.
Its similarities with the Bell 429 platform allow for a smooth pilot transition as JDF begins training
operations. With a Garmin G1000, the platform shares similar avionics with JDF’s Fixed Wing Trainer
aircraft and reduces pilot workload, enhancing the students’ learning experience.
Bell Delivers First Bell 505 to Ugandan Aviation Company
Fort Worth, TX (Apr. 6, 2021) Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the
delivery of a Bell 505 helicopter equipped with the Med-Pac Inc. LLC Emergency Medical Services Lite
Interior to BAR Aviation. This marks the first Bell 505 in Uganda and the first Bell 505 designed to
complete medical evacuation (medevac) missions in Africa.
“We are elated that BAR Aviation has chosen the Bell 505 as its Helicopter Emergency Medical Services
(HEMS) platform and will operate the first medevac Bell 505 in Africa,” said Lynette Loosen, regional
sales manager, Africa. “By leveraging the aircraft’s unique design, competitive cost and flexible kit
installation, the platform enables our customers to provide safe and reliable medical services to its
patients.”
BAR Aviation is a Ugandan aviation company known for being the leading operator in the region. Among
its many services, BAR provides air medical evacuation services to support communities and connect
them to life-saving medical support. The Bell 505 will support the work of the Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Tourism, and the police.
“We are proud to accept the delivery of the first Bell 505 in Uganda,” said Barak Orland, CEO, BAR
Aviation. “We saw the need and importance of having an evacuation helicopter in the country that helps
give the citizens of Uganda the best chances of survival in the critical golden hour. The Bell 505 is an
excellent aircraft for the job with state-of-the-art safety features and avionics that allow the pilots to
reach their destinations quickly and safely.”
The Med-Pac EMS Lite Interior offers a carbon fiber deck, back wall equipment rack, oxygen tank and
medical supply bag. The stretcher system can be installed in less than 15 minutes with the 505’s easily
removeable seats and flat floor. The Bell 505 is the only current production short light single-engine
helicopter that can fit a stretcher system.
“We congratulate BAR Aviation on the acquisition of its new Bell 505, which adds another Textron
product to its growing fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters,” said Jim Evans, CEO, Africair. “As one
of Bell’s independent representatives for much of Africa, Africa has supported helicopter operators
across the continent for over 40 years. Together with Bell, we will do everything possible to ensure that
the 505 exceeds BAR Aviation’s expectations.”
With a speed of 125 knots (232 kilometers per hour) and a useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms),
the Bell 505 is designed to be safe and easy to fly while providing unmatched value to the operator.