Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Bell Model: 505. Nickname: JRX or Jet Ranger X
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: Single Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft engine

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 7/26/2026
> Number of Hours Flown: 140
> Number of Times Flown: 116
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: —

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 183
> Date First Flown: 10/28/2020
> Location First Flown: Boeing Field, Seattle, WA (KBFI)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Garmin, Jack Loflin, Greg West, Bobby Schlein

Recollections: My initial time in the Bell 505 was in one aircraft, N192RB, conducting certification tests of the Garmin GFC600H autopilot.   This was the second autopilot program I’d done w/Garmin.  The GFC autopilot performed excellently.  Not to say we didn’t make a few discoveries but all were resolved prior to certification.

I really enjoyed flying the 505.  It’s notionally the replacement for the Bell 206 and I believe it will be successful.  It’s very simple to operate (Bell has incorporated a number of features to simplify operation) and flies well.   

The best part of the project was getting to work with a great team of testers, including Bobby Schlein, FAA FTE, and the great folks at Garmin.

After retiring from the FAA, I got the chance to fly the 505 again, this time on a project with a larger scope.