Rotor Torque

Bell’s 525 Relentless flies

Bell Helicopters’ fly-by-wire 525 Relentless made its first flight on July 1 from the company’s assembly centre in Amarillo, Texas, about six months later than planned due in part due to supply chain issues.

The 525’s first flight test started with a taxi test and ground manoeuvring before lifting off into a hover. Airborne, N525TA performed various hover manoeuvres and tested its low speed handling qualities with winds gusting to 20kt.