RUAG achieves Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter MRO approvals with reassembly capabilities

RUAG Aviation is named as one of the first helicopter services providers in Europe to earn OEM approvals for MRO on the new Bell Helicopter 505 (JRX). RUAG also holds reassembly capabilities. Fully qualified during the first Bell 505 technical courses at the Bell Helicopter Training Academy, the RUAG team provides these new services at their helicopters support facility in Sion. A Bell Authorized Service Center, the RUAG Sion location is set to host the Bell 505 during its European launch tour.

“We are dedicated to providing complete, state-of-the-art support on behalf of our customers and all the helicopters in their fleet. Attending the first available technical courses, like the recent instruction for the Bell 505, is essential to this approach,” states Claudio Zeiter, Team Leader Commercial Helicopter Services, RUAG Aviation. 

The completion of the Bell Helicopter Training Academy course also allows RUAG to reassemble the new Bell helicopter. The importance of reassembly servicesbecomes evident during the Bell 505 order process. Helicopters are shipped, partially dissembled. While Bell completely assembles and hands over the helicopters at their North America facilities, the helicopter is then separated into airframe, tail boom, main rotor blades and transmission for shipping to Europe. 

“The reassembled helicopters require testing and the certificate of release to service. We encourage all Bell 505 customers in Europe to direct the shipping of their new helicopter to our facilities in Sion, Switzerland. Our trained specialists ensure a reliable and prompt reassembly,” confirms Claudio Zeiter.  

Subsequent to training at the Bell Helicopter Training Academy, the RUAG helicopter services center earned the approval ratings for the Bell 505 under their European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 classification. A Center of Excellence for helicopters, the team at the facility performs all maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services on the Bell 505 and additional support services required before start of operation. 

The Bell Helicopter 505 (JRX) will be presented at the RUAG facility in Sion as part of the aircraft’s European launch tour.  

RUAG Aviation is a one-stop shop for the support of helicopters. Services include airframe MRO, component and subsystems MRO, engineering, system upgrades, complete cockpit and avionics reconfigurations, painting, fleet management, logistics management and support and consulting.

RUAG Aviation is a leading supplier, support provider and integrator of systems and components for civil and military aviation worldwide. 

Servicing aircraft and helicopters throughout their entire life cycle, the company’s core competencies include maintenance, repair and overhaul services, upgrades, and the development, manufacturing and integration of subsystems. 

RUAG is an authorized service center for OEMs of renown, such as Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Cirrus, Diamond, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Leonardo, Piaggio, Sikorsky, Textron Aviation, and Piper, as well as a service center for Bombardier, 328 Support Services, Viking and MD Helicopters. RUAG Aviation is also a partner to the Swiss Armed Forces and other international air forces.

The company is also the manufacturer (OEM) of the Dornier 228, a versatile aircraft for special missions, as well as passenger and cargo operations. 

RUAG Aviation is an approved Part 21/J EASA Design Organization, Part 21/G EASA Production Organization, and Part 145 EASA Maintenance Organization.