The Transatlantic Delivery Flight of a Bell 505 Helicopter

The delivery flight of a newly acquired helicopter is often little more than a routine ferry mission, but for Airborne Group owner Max Lunov and crew member Nazar Doroshkevych, their latest journey became a remarkable demonstration of endurance, planning and confidence in the capabilities of the Bell 505.

Max Lunov (left) taking possession of his Bell 505 from Patrick Moulay

The pair recently completed a transatlantic ferry flight in their new Bell 505, travelling more than 10,000 kilometres over 55 flight hours and crossing 10 countries during a demanding two-week expedition from Canada to mainland Europe. The journey began at the Bell Textron Commercial Centre of Excellence in Canada before tracing a challenging northern Atlantic route into Europe.

For Lunov, the mission marked his second successful Atlantic crossing in a Bell helicopter. In 2021, he completed a similar journey in a Bell 407GXi, an aircraft equipped for instrument flight operations. This latest mission, however, presented a significantly greater challenge. The Bell 505 flight was conducted entirely under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and without the aid of an autopilot system, placing far greater demands on pilot concentration, navigation, and fatigue management throughout the crossing.

“Flying VFR across the Atlantic in a light helicopter without autopilot is not just about endurance, it is about trust in your aircraft, your crew and your own capabilities,” Lunov said after completing the journey. “The Bell 505 performed flawlessly, giving us the confidence to complete this extraordinary mission.”

The flight also represented several milestones for the Bell 505 programme. According to the operators, it is believed to be among the longest transatlantic flights ever completed by the type, while also marking the first such crossing with two people onboard. The journey additionally included some of the longest individual flight legs ever undertaken in the aircraft.

Introduced in 2017, the Bell 505 was developed as Bell’s next-generation light single-engine helicopter, aimed at private operators, training organisations, tourism companies, and utility operators. The aircraft replaced the long-serving Bell 206 JetRanger family and was designed to combine lower operating costs with modern avionics and improved visibility.

Powered by a Safran Arrius 2R engine with dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), the Bell 505 offers simplified engine management and improved reliability. The helicopter is also equipped with the Garmin G1000H NXi integrated avionics suite, featuring digital flight displays, moving map navigation, and optional Synthetic Vision technology. These systems significantly enhance pilot situational awareness, particularly during long-range flights or operations in remote regions.

One of the Bell 505’s most notable design features is its spacious cabin and large panoramic windows, which provide excellent visibility for both pilots and passengers. This configuration has made the aircraft particularly popular in sightseeing, aerial survey, and law-enforcement roles, while also improving crew comfort during extended flights such as Lunov’s Atlantic crossing.

Although primarily designed for short- to medium-range missions, the Bell 505 has increasingly demonstrated its versatility in more demanding operations. Operators worldwide have employed the helicopter in pilot training, emergency medical support, utility work and corporate transport. Its relatively low fuel consumption and straightforward maintenance requirements have also contributed to growing international popularity.

Since entering service, more than 500 Bell 505 helicopters have been delivered globally, collectively accumulating in excess of 100,000 flight hours. The type has steadily established itself as one of the leading aircraft in the light single-engine helicopter segment, particularly among operators seeking modern avionics and lower operational costs in a compact platform.

For Airborne Group, the successful Atlantic crossing was not only a logistical achievement but also a high-profile demonstration of the Bell 505’s reliability and endurance. Completing such a journey in a lightweight VFR-configured helicopter without autopilot support highlights both the aircraft’s capabilities and the careful preparation required for long-distance overwater operations.