Bell 407: Difference between revisions
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===ARH-70/Bell 417=== |
===ARH-70/Bell 417=== |
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The '''[[Bell ARH-70|ARH-70]]''' armed reconnaissance helicopter, |
The canceled '''[[Bell ARH-70|ARH-70]]''' armed reconnaissance helicopter, developed for the [[U.S. Army]] was based on the 407. |
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The '''Bell 417''' was a growth variant of the Bell 407, in essence a civil version of the '''[[Bell ARH-70|ARH-70]]''' armed reconnaissance helicopter for the [[United States Army|US Army]]. The 417 made its first flight on [[June 8]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite journal|coauthors= |year=2006 |month=October |title=Bell 417 achieves first flight |journal=Rotorbreeze |volume=55 |issue=3 |pages=12}}</ref> The 417 was to be powered by a [[Honeywell]] HTS900 turboshaft engine, producing {{convert|970|shp|abbr=on}} and includes full [[FADEC]] controls. The cabin will seat 5 passengers in club-seating configuration, in addition to the crew of two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/en/companyInfo/pressReleases/PR_060226_417Unveiled.cfm|publisher=textron.com|title=Bell Helicopter Unveils New Bell 417|accessdate=2006-11-09}}</ref> The civilian 417 was canceled at Heli-Expo 2007 in Orlando,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=aviationtoday.com|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/personalcorporate/exectransport/9817.html|title=Bell Scraps Year-Old 417, Finding No Market|accessdate=2007-06-03}}</ref> |
The '''Bell 417''' was a growth variant of the Bell 407, in essence a civil version of the '''[[Bell ARH-70|ARH-70]]''' armed reconnaissance helicopter for the [[United States Army|US Army]]. The 417 made its first flight on [[June 8]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite journal|coauthors= |year=2006 |month=October |title=Bell 417 achieves first flight |journal=Rotorbreeze |volume=55 |issue=3 |pages=12}}</ref> The 417 was to be powered by a [[Honeywell]] HTS900 turboshaft engine, producing {{convert|970|shp|abbr=on}} and includes full [[FADEC]] controls. The cabin will seat 5 passengers in club-seating configuration, in addition to the crew of two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/en/companyInfo/pressReleases/PR_060226_417Unveiled.cfm|publisher=textron.com|title=Bell Helicopter Unveils New Bell 417|accessdate=2006-11-09}}</ref> The civilian 417 was canceled at Heli-Expo 2007 in Orlando,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=aviationtoday.com|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/personalcorporate/exectransport/9817.html|title=Bell Scraps Year-Old 417, Finding No Market|accessdate=2007-06-03}}</ref> and the ARH-70 was canceled on 16 October 2008.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=defenselink.mil|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12288|title=Dod Announces Non-Certification Of Armed Reconaissance Helicopter Program|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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Revision as of 13:43, 17 October 2008
The Bell Model 407 is a civil utility helicopter, a derivative of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger. The 407 uses a 4-bladed rotor system with a rigid, composite rotor hub instead of the Model 206's 2-bladed conventional rotor. The Bell 407 is frequently used for corporate and offshore transport, as an air ambulance, law enforcement, electronic news gathering and movie making.
Development
In 1993, Bell began the development of the New Light Aircraft as a replacement for its Model 206 series. The program resulted in the 407, an evolutionary development of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger.[1]
A 206L-3 LongRanger was converted as the concept demonstrator 407 and first flew in this form on April 21, 1994, while the 407 was first publicly announced at the Las Vegas Heli-Expo in January 1995.[1] The first pre-production 407 flew in June 1995, and the first production 407 flew in November 1995. Customer deliveries began the following February.
The Bell 407 features the four blade main rotor developed for the OH-58 (Model 406). The blades and hub use composite construction, have no life limits, and provide improved performance and better ride comfort.[1]
The 407 is also 8 in (18 cm) wider, increasing internal cabin width and space, and features 35% larger main cabin windows. The more powerful Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-C47 turboshaft allows an increase in max takeoff weight and improves performance at hotter temperatures and/or higher altitudes.
In 1995, Bell studied fitting the 407 with a shrouded tail rotor, but did not proceed.[1] For a time, Bell studied developing the Model 407T twin, but instead chose to develop the essentially all new twin PW206D powered Bell 427.[1]
ARH-70/Bell 417
The canceled ARH-70 armed reconnaissance helicopter, developed for the U.S. Army was based on the 407.
The Bell 417 was a growth variant of the Bell 407, in essence a civil version of the ARH-70 armed reconnaissance helicopter for the US Army. The 417 made its first flight on June 8, 2006.[2] The 417 was to be powered by a Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft engine, producing 970 shp (720 kW) and includes full FADEC controls. The cabin will seat 5 passengers in club-seating configuration, in addition to the crew of two.[3] The civilian 417 was canceled at Heli-Expo 2007 in Orlando,[4] and the ARH-70 was canceled on 16 October 2008.[5]
Operational history
Polar First
Polar First was an around-the-world, pole-to-pole record flight flown by Colin Bodill and Jennifer Murray utilizing a standard Bell 407. The flight originated from Bell's facility at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport on December 5, 2006 and was completed upon the return of the helicopter to the same facility on May 23, 2007. The team flew about 36,000 miles (57,900 km) over 189 days and 300 flight hours, through 34 different countries. The flight was performed in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society to provide educational outreach to 28 international schools, which were visited during the trip. The project also served as a fundraiser for the SOS Children's Villages.[6]
2 Bell 407s Crash near Flagstaff (Arizona USA) Medical Center
2 Bell 407 Medical Transports crashed mid air June 29th, 2008 at approximately 3:45pm about ½ mile east of Flagstaff Medical Center (Hospital). The reason is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Pilot Error is the probable leading cause. Of the 7 people involved, 6 people were killed instantly, with one flight nurse, James Taylor of Salt Lake City, age 36, passing a few days later.
The helicopters involved were tail number N407GA, operated by Air Methods, Inc but owned by Guardian Air. Guardian Air is a division of Flagstaff Medical Center. The second helicopter was tail number N407MJ operated by Classic Lifeguard Aeromedical Services of Page, AZ. [7]
Variants
- Bell 407
- A civil utility helicopter, a derivative of the Bell 206L-4.
- ARH-70
- An upgraded 407 version to serve as an armed reconnaissance helicopter.
- Bell 417
- Planned civil version of the ARH-70, was canceled.
Specifications (Bell 407)
Data from Bell 407[8]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: Typical seating configuration for seven comprising pilot and passengers, with five passengers in main cabin. Max hook capacity 1200 kg (2645 lb).[1]
Performance
References
- ^ a b c d e f Frawley, Gerard: The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004, page 47. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7
- ^ "Bell 417 achieves first flight". Rotorbreeze. 55 (3): 12. 2006.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Bell Helicopter Unveils New Bell 417". textron.com. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ "Bell Scraps Year-Old 417, Finding No Market". aviationtoday.com. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
- ^ "Dod Announces Non-Certification Of Armed Reconaissance Helicopter Program". defenselink.mil. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ^ "Poloar First Sets World Record", Rotorbreeze Magazine, July 2007.
- ^ "http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2008/06/30/news/20080630_front_176633.txt
- ^ "Product Specifications: Bell 407". bellhelicopter.com. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
External links
