Norwegian Aviation & Defense Group with Bell Helicopters unveiled its new 525 Experience Center at the Stavanger Airport in Norway. The center is an innovative space designed to showcase the Bell 525 capabilities for customers in Norway who perform missions in oil and gas, search and rescue (SAR), and military operations.
The center is located inside a hangar and displays the 525 mockup with interactive workstations for potential customers to learn more about the aircraft and its capabilities.
“This center is an exciting next step for Bell in Norway,” said Ole Petter Bakken, CEO of Norwegian Aviation Defense Group. “We will be able to showcase to customers the new technology the Bell 525 can provide for the energy sector, defense and SAR markets.”
Last year at HAI Heli-Expo 2020, Bell announced the Bell 525 collaboration agreement with Norwegian oil and gas operator Wintershall Dea Norge AS to bring enhanced helicopter operational safety to the North Sea. Bell’s involvement with Wintershall has helped develop a new standard of innovation in the oil and gas industry and North Sea operations.
The Bell 525 is designed to be the best-in-class aircraft expected to support operations in Norway and revolutionize the oil and gas transport industry. It is anticipated to be the first commercial fly-by-wire (FBW) helicopter to be certified. This design architecture reduces pilot workload, increases pilot situational awareness and improves the aircraft’s handling qualities. The Bell 525 also is expected to support both Wintershall Dea’s and Textron’s sustainability objectives by consuming 30 percent less fuel per hour of operation than the heavy class helicopters that fly offshore today on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.