Aircraft overview

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a five-seat, light single-engine turbine helicopter produced by Bell. It first flew in 2014, received initial certification in 2016, and entered customer service in 2017. Production continues, with the type positioned as a modern successor in mission profile to the earlier JetRanger family, although it is a distinct clean-sheet model. Its relevance for buyers comes from combining turbine performance, a glass cockpit, relatively simple single-engine operating economics, and a cabin suited to training, private transport, patrol, utility, and corporate use.

Performance & specifications

Typical cruise speed is about 125 knots, with maximum range commonly published at approximately 306 nautical miles under standard conditions. The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X has a maximum gross weight of 3,680 lb and a useful load in the region of 1,500 lb, depending on equipment and configuration. The service ceiling is 20,000 feet. Power is provided by a Safran Helicopter Engines Arrius 2R turboshaft with dual-channel FADEC, rated at 505 shp for takeoff. The two-blade main rotor, skid landing gear, and straightforward airframe layout help keep the aircraft familiar to operators moving up from piston helicopters or older light turbines.

Cabin & avionics

The cabin seats one pilot and up to four passengers, with a flat floor, wide doors, and good outward visibility. Rear cabin flexibility is a notable feature for buyers comparing corporate, training, and utility layouts, since seats can be removed for cargo or mission equipment. Typical avionics are based on the Garmin G1000H integrated flight deck, with later aircraft and upgrades often featuring Garmin G1000H NXi. Equipment can include synthetic vision, traffic and terrain awareness, engine monitoring through the FADEC interface, and mission-specific options such as dual controls, air conditioning, wire strike protection, and cargo hook provisions.

Buying & value

Used Bell 505 Jet Ranger X examples are generally differentiated by year, total time, engine cycles, avionics standard, interior configuration, maintenance status, and installed options. Buyers should review Safran Arrius 2R engine records, component life limits, software standards, damage history, and whether the aircraft has been used primarily for training, private flying, or utility work. Common market configurations include corporate interiors, training aircraft with dual controls, and utility-equipped helicopters with high skid gear or external load provisions. On PlaneFox listing data, asking prices average about EUR 1,740,000, with observed listings from about EUR 1,200,000 to EUR 2,330,000, placing the model in the upper tier of used light single turbine helicopters.