BORDES, France, Dec. 16 (UPI) — Turbomeca has received EASA engine type certification for its Arrius 2R engine, which supports the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.
The EASA certification for the 2R follows over seven million flight hours logged by Arrius variants. Once completed, the collaborative project between American and French companies will integrate a Turbomeca engine into a Bell Helicopter for the first time.
“Delivering a best-in-class solution, on time, continues to be a top priority for us,” Turbomeca CEO Bruno Even said in a statement. “We are delighted with the progress of this blossoming Franco-American collaboration.”
According to officials from both companies, the project was put on a fast development schedule following its launch at the 2013 Paris Air Show. Evaluations of the engine began in April 2014, where it logged over 2,500 ground test hours. Flight tests began in November that same year.
“Our collaboration with Turbomeca has been outstanding,” Bell Helicopter Commercial Business Executive Vice President Matt Hasik said. “They have consistently delivered to schedule and we are delighted to have already received over 350 letters of intent since the launch of the Bell 505 in 2013. The next step for Bell Helicopter will be the certification of the aircraft in 2016, followed by deliveries to our customers.”
The Arrius 2R is designed to improve safety and lowering pilot workload with its dual-channel FADEC, and provide power within a 500 shp range.
Turbomeca has sold over 3,000 Arrius engines to customers in 60 countries.
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