European regulators have approved the -2F1 variant of the GE Aviation CT7 engine that will power the Bell 525 Relentless super-medium-twin helicopter.

Certification for the 1,980shp (1,480kW) turboshaft was granted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on 9 July; US validation for the powerplant came on 26 March.

Bell continues flight testing the 525, although at June's Paris air show the company was reluctant to confirm the certification timeline for the type – a milestone previously scheduled for 2019.

Source: FlightGlobal.com