Bell has announced today (16 March 2023) a purchase agreement for a Bell 407GXi with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO). The Bell 407GXi aircraft will join the Aviation Operations Unit to serve the citizens of St. Augustine, Florida, and surrounding counties. “St. Johns County has selected to replace its Bell OH58 aircraft with the latest advancement of the Bell 407 platform, the Bell 407GXi,” explained Lane Evans, Bell’s Managing Director for North America. “The new avionics and upgraded engine will deliver increased readiness and reliability that is critical to the vast mission portfolio of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Aviation Operations Unit.”
Three 505s head to Bahrain
Meanwhile, at Bell’s Mirabel facility, the Royal Bahrain Air Force has taken delivery of three 505s. The aircraft are destined to be employed as advanced training aircraft. The Kingdom of Bahrain joins other countries in the Middle East employing the Bell 505 as their advanced military trainer. Horizon International Flight Academy in the UAE operates 12 505s, and the Royal Jordanian Air Force signed an agreement for 10 505s in November 2022. Cumulatively, More than 30 505 helicopters operate throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Speaking at the handover, Bell MD Africa and Middle East Sameer Rehman said, “We are honoured to provide the Bahrain Defense Force with another premiere Bell asset to train the next generation of Bahrani pilots. Generations of Bahraini pilots have flown in Bell helicopters, and the Bell 505 will continue the tradition of excellence for years to come.”
