Bell 505 for Sale

The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is Bell's clean-sheet five-seat short-light single, certified in 2017 to succeed the legendary 206B in training, private and light-utility roles. Built around the proven Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft and the Garmin G1000H NXi glass cockpit, the 505 delivers genuine modern avionics, dual-channel FADEC and a flat cabin floor at a price point most R66 and 206 operators recognise.

Performance favours hot-and-high and training environments: 125 kt cruise, 14,000 ft service ceiling and a useful load above 1,500 lb on a relatively compact airframe. The Arrius 2R FADEC simplifies start sequences and protects against over-temp events — a meaningful safety advantage for primary turbine students transitioning from piston time.

Pre-owned 505 supply is still thin — production began in 2017 and the model is still in active manufacture — but a growing private-owner and flight-school secondary market is emerging. Operators evaluating the 505 should benchmark against the R66 (lower acquisition, simpler systems) and the 206B (deeper parts ecosystem) before committing.

Buyer guide

Arrius 2R engine and FADEC

The Safran Arrius 2R delivers 504 shp with dual-channel FADEC — the first FADEC turbine in the light-single class at this price point. TBO sits at 4,000 hours with hot-section inspections at 2,000. Safran Support-By-the-Hour (SBH) coverage runs

Avionics and IFR potential

Garmin G1000H NXi is standard — dual 10.4-inch displays, integrated WAAS GPS, ADS-B In/Out and synthetic vision. The 505 is certified VFR only as delivered, but several STC paths support night VFR. No factory IFR certification is currently available; corporate operators requiring IFR should benchmark against the R66 (also VFR) or step up to the H125 or 206L-4.

Training and flight-school economics

The 505 has become the dominant turbine trainer in the post-206B market — Bristow Academy, Helicopter Institute and several Asian flight academies have moved to all-505 fleets. Realistic flight-school DOC is $480-$580 per hour all-in, materially below 206B (no piston-to-turbine students) and competitive with the R66 once FADEC reliability is factored.

Cabin and utility configurations

The flat floor and forward-hinged doors enable rapid cargo conversion. Bell offers high-skid gear, cargo hook, emergency floats and a litter kit for parapublic and EMS-light operations. The 505 is not Cat A — true HEMS programs should benchmark the 429 or H135 instead.

Operating cost benchmark

Realistic owner-flown DOC sits at $520-$680 per flight hour all-in including fuel ($240/hr), SBH engine coverage, airframe reserves (

Frequently asked questions

How does the Bell 505 compare to the Robinson R66?

The 505 has a larger cabin, true FADEC engine management, G1000H NXi avionics and a higher useful load. The R66 is simpler, cheaper to acquire (typically $700K-

What is the realistic acquisition price for a used 505?

A 2017-2019 505 typically trades

Is the Bell 505 IFR certified?

No — the 505 is currently VFR only. Several night VFR STC paths exist, but IFR certification is not currently offered by Bell. Operators requiring IFR should evaluate the 206L-4, H125 or step up to a light twin.

Can the 505 be used for HEMS or law enforcement?

The 505 supports parapublic missions including ENG, light EMS transport and law enforcement observation roles. It is not Category A certified and lacks the cabin volume of dedicated HEMS twins — true HEMS programs should benchmark the 429 or H135 instead.

Are 505 parts available worldwide?

Bell maintains regional distribution from Amsterdam, Singapore and Mirabel covering the 505 fleet. AOG response averages 24-48 hours; Safran supports Arrius 2R parts directly. ChopperSwap surfaces surplus inventory and Part-145 organisations approved for the type.