Bell Helicopter’s second 525 flight test vehicle has lifted off in Amarillo, Texas, after completing a series of ground checks.
Supporting the development of the first commercial fly-by-wire helicopter, FTV-2 joins its orange sibling (registration N525TA) that conducted the maiden flight of the super-medium type in July.
The new aircraft, tail number N525BK, sports a blue paint scheme, and is pictured in hover on 23 December.
Bell 525 FTV-2 took flight on 23 December
Bell Helicopter
Powered by two 2,000shp-class General Electric CT7- 2F1 engines, the aircraft has an advertised speed of 155kts and 500nm range.
Bell disclosed to Flightglobal last week that three more test aircraft will join the campaign in 2016, starting with FTV-3 in the first quarter.
Bell 525 FTV-2
Bell Helicopter
Source: FlightGlobal.com
