News
Jet Ranger X order for university training fleet

Southern Utah University signed a purchase agreement with Bell Textron to add a 505 Jet Ranger X to its existing fleet of helicopters for student training. The university offers training in rotor- or fixed-wing-pilot components.

Bell states Southern Utah University’s (SUU) Professional Pilot Aviation program, run out of Cedar City holds the largest collegiate helicopter fleet in the United States.

“We’ve conducted training using a Bell 206L for several years, so adding the Bell 505 to our fleet is the logical decision that will allow us to offer advanced pilot and technical training for the industry’s future aviators,” said Mike Mower, executive director, SUU Aviation.

SUU curriculum courses in the Aviation program include: Turbine Transition, External Load, Night Vision Goggles, Mountain Flying, SFAR 73 Transition, and both Single Engine and Multi Engine fixed wing training. The program provides students with the ability to earn pilot licenses and ratings for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument.

“As the industry faces a shortage of fixed- and rotor-wing pilots, it is critical to offer safe, high quality education like SUU’s Professional Pilot Aviation training program,” said Greg Maitlen, regional sales manager, Bell, North America. “The Bell 505 is the only aircraft in its class that offers operations at 22,500 feet density altitude and will be instrumental in training requirements, specifically the Mountain Flying course.”