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Aviation News Item: 05549
22nd Feb 2010
Bell Helicopter and Rolls-Royce Look to Retrofit the 206B
Source: verticalmag.com
 Bell Helicopter and Rolls-Royce announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore options for the retrofit of the Bell 206B JetRanger with the RR500TS (turboshaft) engine.
"This opportunity to upgrade the engine and increase the productivity of our venerable JetRanger model is right on strategy for Bell Helicopter," said Danny Maldonado, senior vice president Customer Support and chief Services officer. "Bell Helicopter and Rolls-Royce have been long-standing partners in the development and fielding of this aircraft and we are excited by the potential performance and operational cost benefits that this new engine will bring to this extensive customer base."
The MOU will allow the joint evaluation of potential suppliers to develop RR500TS supplemental type certificate (STC) retrofit kits replacing the Model 250 engines that currently power the JetRanger. In addition to offering more power at takeoff and in hot and high conditions than existing engines in this class, the RR500TS will deliver operational benefits to customers through extended engine overhaul intervals and lower total ownership costs.
"We are committed to providing our customers with responsive, cost-effective solutions and believe that strategic industry alliances, such as this, will position Bell and our products to continue provide the customer support and service our customers have come to depend on," said Maldonado.
The Bell JetRanger became the industry standard in the light helicopter class after its introduction in 1966. Approximately 5,000 206B JetRangers have been manufactured, with about 3,500 still in service around the world. The RR500TS was launched in 2009 as part of the RR family of engines that includes the RR500 turboprop and turboshaft and the RR300 turboshaft engines.
FAA type certification for the RR500 is expected in late 2011, with production engines to follow.
Photo from left to right are Ken Downing, President, Rolls-Royce, Helicopter Engines and Barry Kohler, President, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. More information is available at http://www.bellhelicopter.com/.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands, such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at http://www.textron.com/.
About Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established strong positions in its four global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy. Headquartered in the UK, U.S., Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and Chine, Rolls-Royce serves countries in nearly 120 countries. More information is available at www.rolls-royce.com.
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