Bell Helicopters is confident in its progress in securing FAA type certification for the Bell 525, said Jacinto Jose Monge, Europe Managing Director, during a media briefing at EUROPEAN ROTORS in Madrid.
“We’re moving at a very good speed with the FAA. We are flying, we’re completing TIA’s at a great pace, and we’re very confident that we’re going to achieve [certification] very soon,” said Monge, reaffirming that where achieving FAA type approval is concerned, Bell’s confidence is “up here.”
Following FAA certification, Bell aims to secure EASA approval for its 525, added Bell’s Europe Managing Director: “The formal validation process will only be started after we get FAA certified. Once that happens, I guarantee you the next day, we will be knocking on EASA’s door.”
In terms of a timeline, Bell simply said there was no point in giving an estimate, although it does not anticipate any hurdles at the moment.
“We’ll just wait for the regulator and whenever they are ready,” said Monge, “I think that’s probably the best thing that we can say.”
Image: Bell Helicopters 525
