Bell Flight Celebrates 85 Years

Founded by Larry Bell in 1935, the company has been at the forefront of mobility, constantly finding ways to create innovative solutions. From breaking the sound barrier with pilot Chuck Yeager and the incredible Bell X-1 plane to developing the world's first tiltrotor aircraft, Bell has consistently sought out the most innovative methods to improve its products.

Applauding past innovations and looking into the future

Duncan van de Velde, Managing Director Europe & Russia, Bell, said: "As we celebrate our 85^th anniversary, we also applaud the innovations that have made us one of the most forward-thinking and economical companies in our sector, with the smartest technology on offer.

“We also look to the future and the need to ensure that we continue to provide our customers with the very best products and support solutions. Having more than 1,098 Bell aircraft in Europe across military, corporate, para-public, search and rescue, and cargo transport sectors over the years, we have a strong base to build on. Bell is continuing to grow its European footprint by collaborating with strong and innovative technology companies in Europe.

“With mobility trends such as air taxis capturing the imaginations of communities across the region, our role as a company will be to evolve our approach in the development of new flight systems. Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.”

Developing a suite of next-generation products

Bell currently has a suite of next-generation products in development including the Nexus air taxi concept which aims to revolutionize the urban commute. Another product in development is the Autonomous Pod Transport, which can carry payloads at increased ranges and speeds unlike any other unmanned aerial vehicle in the market today.

"The future of Bell is linked to the future of flight. For this, Bell has evolved to fulfill this vision and is no longer just a company that works in aviation but rather a technology company that is redefining flight. We are wide open to any technology, opportunity, or service model that will help society become more mobile or more effective in the vertical dimension," explained Robert Hastings, Bell Executive Vice-President, Strategic Communications and Government Affairs.

Bell continues to invest in future technology inside its aircraft, such as fly-by-wire systems, upgraded avionics suites, and instrument flight rules (IFR) kits to deliver unique features that cater to all its customers. Recently, Bell completed a successful flight with the Bell Autonomous Pod Transport.