Founder, Co-Owner and Chief Pilot for Rocky Mountain Rotors, Mark Taylor, shares how he worked to fulfill his aviation dreams and why he admires the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Tell us about Rocky Mountain Rotors…

"I’ve done a lot of things. I’ve ranched. I’ve farmed. I was in construction. Really, I was just trying to save money up to get into a career I really wanted to do, which was flying. Most jobs wouldn’t take anyone with less than 2,000 flight hours. So, I started my own company – Rocky Mountain Rotors. After writing my own Part 135 certificate – a two-year process – I purchased aircraft and started flying for elite resorts and Sheriff’s offices. We’re now an Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC) for Bell, and we’ve been picking up new business.”

How did you hear about the Bell 505?

"Our teams went to HAI in 2014 with the intention of buying a competitor’s aircraft. This is where the 505 came alive for us. After the Bell 505 unveiling, we bought one knowing full well it was a new model. We spoke very candidly with the team, but they swore they’d take care of any issues. All the wrinkles that needed to be ironed out, they’ve handled it. They have stood behind everything they said they would do in the beginning."

Why should customers pick the Bell 505 for their mission?

• Amazing Training Capabilities: "Right now, the Bell 505 is the best trainer on the market. We’ve seen so many people get into high density altitude situations where they’re beyond their skill level or beyond the limits of the helicopter. But the 505 has plenty of power to keep training operations going. I see students learning quicker, under less stress."

• Flexible Cabin: "I really love what Bell’s done with the open cabin. We love the big windows, the stadium seating and the open cockpit design. Passengers love it too. The sheriff’s departments we fly for - Gallatin County and Park County - love the diversification of missions the 505 can accomplish. There’s been multiple times we’ve had to quickly reconfigure the cabin for an upcoming flight. Whether it’s moving gear and supplies in or carrying people, the cabin is impressive."

• Cost Effectiveness: "There are six universities doing research trying to better date the Teton Mountain Range. I bid the Bell 505 to support this project. Since the universities were looking for something a little less expensive, as opposed to the long light single aircraft they were using, they selected our 505. Even though the former can move more weight, the short light single 505 is a cost-effective contender since it can operate for a lot less than the other aircraft. It handled the cold, high-altitude environment of the Tetons with ease."

"It would’ve been a huge mistake for the growth of our company had we bought a different aircraft. I would’ve been missing out on a large amount of jobs I’ve been picking up with the 505. The Arrius looks brand new every single time we fly. Sometimes I just wonder how it can fly so efficiently, so clean and with such a powerful performance."