Bell 222

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Bell 222/230/430
A Bell 222
Type	Executive/utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Bell Helicopter Textron
Maiden flight	August 13, 1976
Introduced	1979 (222) 1991 (230) 1995 (430)

The Bell 222 is a twin-engined light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter Textron. The Bell 230 and Bell 430 are improved developments with different engines and other changes.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Variants 2.1 Bell 222 2.2 Bell 230 2.3 Bell 430 3 Operators 4 Systems and specifications 4.1 Powerplants 4.2 Main rotor system 4.3 Tail rotor system 4.4 Hydraulics 4.5 Electrical system 4.6 Landing gear 4.7 Model comparison chart 5 Trivia 6 References 7 External links 8 Related content

[edit] Overview

The Bell 222 has two turboshaft engines, a streamlined shape, and is available with either retractable undercarriage or fixed skids. It is usually flown single-pilot (optional dual controls are available), and can be configured for corporate/executive, EMS or utility transport missions. The aircraft can be configured for accommodations of up to 8, including pilot. (Up to 10 for the stretched 430.)

The Bell 222 was slightly redesigned and reintroduced with new engines the Bell 230. A later upgrade in powerplants and rotor system was designated Bell 430 (see below). Neither the 230 nor the 430 was an entirely new design, and both can be mistaken to be 222s, however the Allison-engine exhaust stacks are located high on the cowling rather than at the rear, while the 430’s main rotor is four-bladed.

[edit] Variants

[edit] Bell 222

• In 1982 the 222 was given a power upgrade, a larger main rotor, and was renamed the Bell 222B.
• In 1983 a 222B variant with skids, the 222UT, was introduced.
• During the 1990s, a number of 222s were modified to Allison engines as an after-market STC mod (the engines which were used by Bell on the 230) due to reliability with the Lycoming engines, and redesignated as 222SPs.

[edit] Bell 230

• In 1991 the 222B design was updated, given more powerful engines, and renamed the Bell 230.

[edit] Bell 430

• In 1995 the 230 was stretched (adding another seating row), given more powerful engines and a four-bladed main rotor, and renamed the Bell 430.

[edit] Operators

In addition to the large number of civil operators, a small number of Bell 222 family helicopters have entered military service. One served with Albania from 1979 to 2001.

[edit] Systems and specifications

[edit] Powerplants

• 222 – two (461kw takeoff rated, 441kW max continuous rated) Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS-101-650C-3 turboshafts.
• 222B/UT – two 505kW (takeoff rated) Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS-101-750C turboshafts.
• 230/222SP – two 520kW takeoff rated Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison) 250-C30G/2 turboshafts.
• 430 – two 584kW takeoff rated, 521kW max continuous rated Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison) 250-C40B turboshafts.

Engine output is 100% rated at 9598 RPM. Two independent drive shafts deliver power from the engines to the transmission.

[edit] Main rotor system

• 222/B/UT/230 - Two-blade, semi-rigid high-kinetic energy type with preconing and underslinging. The rotor head incorporates elastomeric bearings for hub springs, flapping and pitch change bearings. The system is similar in design to that used by the AH-1 Cobra. Rotor speed at 100% engine speed is 348 RPM.
• 430 - Four-bladed rigid bearingless system.

[edit] Tail rotor system

All series models incorporate a pusher-type two-bladed tailrotor mounted on the left side of the tailboom, turning at 3396 RPM

[edit] Hydraulics

Two independent hydraulic systems provide flight control boost.

[edit] Electrical system

All series equipped with 24 volt electrical system powered by two paralleled starter/generators. The 222/222UT is rated at 30VDC/150A and 230/430 is rated at 30VDC/200A. AC power is provided through inverters, with both 26VAC and 115VAC 400 Hz output.

[edit] Landing gear

• 222/B - Retractible, wheel-type
• 222UT - Skid-type
• 230/430 - Skid-type standard, retractable wheels optional kit

[edit] Model comparison chart

Model	222	222B	222UT	230	430
Announced	1974	1982	1982	1990	1991
First Flight	1976-08-13	1982	1983	1991-08-12	1994-10-25
Certified	1979-12	1982-08	1983-04	1992-03	1996-02-23
Delivered	1980	1982	1983	1992-11	1996
Seats	2 (pilot & copilot) + 5–6 passengers				2 + 6–8
Height (m)	3.56	3.56	3.71	3.56	3.73
Fuselage length (m)	12.85	12.85	12.78	12.88	13.44
Rotor diam. (m)	12.2	12.80
Length overall (m)	15.1	15.32
Power (kW)	2×461	2×505		2×520	2×584
Max speed (km/h)	240	250		260	260
Climb (ft/min)	1,580	1,730		~1,600
Service ceiling (ft)	12,800	15,800		15,500	14,600
Hover ceiling (ft)	~9,000	10,300		12,400	11,350
Fuel Capacity (l)	710+182	710+182	710+460	710+	710+
Range (km)	~600	~700	~900	~700	~600
Weight (kg)	2,066	2,076	2,058	2,312	2,406
Max Lift (kg)	3,560	3,742		3,810	4,218
Serial #s [1]	47001 – 47099 †	47131 – 47156	47501 – 47574	23001 – 23038	49001 – 49116+
[2][3][4][5]	† The first five were prototype/test models

[edit] Trivia

The Bell 222 was made famous by the television show Airwolf where the series' main character is a helicopter based on the 222 with fictional high-tech modifications such as powerful weapons and jet engines making it capable of supersonic speeds.

[edit] References

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

[edit] External links

• Bell 430 at Bell Helicopter Website
• Airliners.net: Bell 222 & 230
• Airliners.net: Bell 430
• RTH.info: Bell 222 in aeromedical services (in English and German)

[edit] Related content

Related development

• Bell 206
• Bell 212
• Bell 407
• Bell 427/429

Comparable aircraft

• Sikorsky S-76
• Agusta A109
• Eurocopter Dauphin

Designation sequence

• 210 - 212 - 214 - 222 - 230 - 249 - 301 - 309
• 417 - 427 - 429 - 430 - 440 - 533 - 609

 

See also

• Airwolf
• Airwolf (helicopter)