Bell 222/230 - WikiHQ

The Bell 222 is an American twin-engine light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 230 is an improved development with different engines and other minor changes.

Development

Origins

In the late 1960s, Bell began designing a new twin-turbine engine light helicopter. A mockup of the new helicopter was displayed in January 1974 at a helicopter convention. Following interest at the convention, the company announced the new Bell 222. It was the first light commercial twin-turbine helicopter developed in the United States.

The Bell 222 incorporated a number of advanced features, including dual hydraulic and electrical systems, sponsons housing the retractable landing gear, and the Noda Matic vibration reduction system developed for the Bell 214ST.

thumb|left|A Bell 222B

Improved versions

The more powerful Bell 222B was introduced in 1982 with a larger diameter main rotor. The 222B-based Bell 222UT Utility Twin, with skid landing gear, was introduced in 1983.

;Bell 430: In 1995 the Bell 430, a stretched 230 (adding another seating row), was launched, with uprated engines and a four-blade main rotor.

Operators

thumb|Bell 230 of Rotor-Lift Aviation at Agfest 2010

thumb|Bell 230 in markings of the Chilean Navy

The Bell 222 has seen service with a large number of civil operators, but only limited military service.

;

Albtransport (crashed in 2006)

;

Chilean Navy

; for evaluations in 1994 only

Ecuadorian Navy

;

JDF Air Wing

;

Mercy Air

Former operators

Government of Uttar Pradesh: Operated a Bell 230 between 1995 and 2015. Replaced by Bell 412EP.

Specifications

thumb|Bell 222 3-view drawing

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! Model

! 222

! 222B

! 222U

! 230

| Announced || 1974 || 1982 || 1982 || 1990

| First Flight || August 13, 1976 || 1982 || 1983 || August 12, 1991

| Certified || December 1979 || August 1982 || April 1983 || March 1992

| Delivered || 1980 || 1982 || 1983 || November 1992

| Seats || colspan="4" | Front: pilot + one.   Main: four–six (depending on seat types)<br>Maximum ten (pilot and nine passengers)

| Height ||colspan="2"| 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m) || 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m) || 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)

| Fuselage length ||colspan="2"| || colspan="3" | 42 ft (12.80 m)

| Length overall || 49 ft 6 in (15.1 m) || colspan="3" | 50 ft 3 in (15.32 m)

| Engine (2x) || Lycoming LTS101-650C-3 || colspan="2" | Lycoming LTS101-750C || Rolls-Royce 250-C30G/2

| Power (2x) || || 700 hp (520 kW)

| Max speed || Helicopterdirect, others

Notable appearances in media

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References

Bibliography

Bell 222/230 Field Maintenance Training Manual
Bell 222U Rotorcraft Flight Manual

External links

Airliners.net: Bell 222 & 230
RTH.info: Bell 222 in aeromedical services (in English and German)
FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet