Bell Textron has announced that SECO International has signed a purchase agreement for one Bell 505 helicopter. The manufacturer has also appointed SECO as the first Japanese dealer for the type.
Founded in 1983, SECO operates a fleet of light helicopters and manages private owners’ aircraft with full operational support through its facility at Nagoya Airport.
The company is already a Bell 505 operator. In 2015 it signed a letter of intent covering the purchase of 10 of the type, which have since been delivered by the manufacturer.
Jose Jacinto Monge, Bell’s managing director for Asia Pacific, said: “We are honoured by the confidence that SECO International continues to show in the Bell 505 through the purchase of its 11th aircraft and by becoming the first Bell 505 dealer in Japan. We look forward to deepening our relationship with SECO International and providing support to grow their business with the Bell 505 in Japan.”
Since the type’s entry into service in 2017, the global Bell 505 fleet has grown to more than 300 aircraft, which between them have logged more than 70,000 flight hours. Japanese operators include the Japan Coast Guard, which received four 505s in 2018 that it uses for training.
