Features Safety & Training
Delivery of first Bell 505 to Horizon International

Bell Textron Inc. has delivered the first of 12 Bell 505 helicopters to Horizon International Flight Academy per an agreement signed in November at the Dubai Air Show. The 505 is configured for flight training, fully equipped with an integrated glass cockpit that enables pilots in training to experience modern controls on a single engine aircraft.

“We are glad to add Bell 505 helicopters to our all-Bell fleet that is comprised of Bell 206s, Bell 407s and Bell 429s,” said Hareb Thani Al Dhaheri, CEO, Horizon International Flight Academy. “This new addition will be an essential part of our training operations and will enable us to further expand our training offering.” Horizon is the Middle East region’s largest independent helicopter flight training academy.

Horizon took delivery of the aircraft at Bell’s facility in Mirabel, Quebec, during a ceremony attended by Hareb Al Dhaheri, Ambassador Raqbani, UAE Embassy in Canada, Fahad Harhara Al Yafei, Cluster CEO, and Steeve Lavoie, president of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.

“Bell is proud to support and celebrate today’s delivery with Horizon International Flight Academy,” said Sameer Rehman, Bell managing director for Africa and the Middle East. “The Bell 505 will be a great addition to the Horizon fleet and is an ideal aircraft in training helicopter pilots.”

Bell explains the 505 Jet Ranger X delivers exceptional visibility incorporating advanced avionics and an adaptable cabin design.

“We would like to thank Horizon International Flight Academy for coming to our Mirabel facility and being a supporter of Bell,” Lavoie. “We are thrilled to contribute to the training of the next generation of pilots.”