Day one HeliExpo unveiling

Bell 525 unveiling

A 11.30 am today, amongst great fanfare the BellTextron 525 Relentless was unveiled by John Garrison, President and CEO. The 525 is a breakaway from the usual Bell models having 5 blades. It has 16 seats (depending on the mode) is in the 10 tonne class and has two GE engines - more details will come on this after the press conference this afternoon.

The other helicopter to be unveiled was the EC130T2, the new version of the EC130, with better fuel economy and two Arriel 2D engines. Cruise speed is up by 10 knots and fuel usage is down by 10%. MTOW is 5,512lbs or 6,724 lbs with an external load. Off to Robinson press conference next. I think it will be dominated by the two R66 crashes, one of which (in Columbia) has apparently led to a courtcase.