Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced at European Rotors 2025 that a dedicated Bell 505 helicopter has crossed 700 flight hours operating on blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The achievement marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing efforts to expand SAF use across its operations, reports ASD News.
“Bell is proud to celebrate this next step in industry carbon reduction objectives,” said Robin Wendling, Managing Director for Europe at Bell. “Working with Safran Helicopter Engines has given us an edge in pursuing greener aviation practices.”
Bell began collaborating with Safran Helicopter Engines in March 2022 to study the technical performance and economic impact of SAF on the Bell 505, which is powered by the Arrius 2R engine. Less than a year later, the Bell 505 became the world’s first single-engine helicopter to fly using 100% SAF during a demonstration. Since July 2022, Bell has logged more than 700 flight hours using blended SAF on a single Bell 505 at the Bell Training Academy. Engine and aircraft performance assessments, along with inspections, have delivered positive results.
“We are particularly pleased with these SAF flights in partnership with Bell,” said Jean-François Sauer, EVP Programs at Safran Helicopter Engines. “SAF plays a key role in making helicopter operations more sustainable. The Arrius 2R, like all our engines, can currently run on up to 50% drop-in SAF. Very soon, they will be capable of operating on 100% drop-in SAF, helping expand the use of this fuel across the sector.”
The Bell 505 combines the Safran Arrius 2R engine with dual-channel FADEC and the Garmin G1000H NXi all-glass avionics suite featuring a moving-map display. Its panoramic windows, open cabin layout and Synthetic Vision technology make it one of the most advanced aircraft in its class and suitable for a wide range of missions, including public safety, utility operations and military training.
