Bell Helicopter 407

Type (Muster)
Light multi-purpose helicopter

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Bell Helicopter
PO Box 482
Fort Worth, Texas
USA

Phone: 001-817/280-2011
Fax: 001-817/280-3631

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 - 2
Passengers (Passagiere): 5 - 7, with two facing rows in main cabin
Baggage (Gepäck): 113 kg in rear compartment

Power plant (Antrieb): Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250C-47B turboshaft with FADEC
Take-off power (Startleistung): 606 kW (813 shp) at take-off, but derated to 503 kW (674 shp) mechanical. Maximum continuous performance is 523 kW (701 shp), with a mechanical transmission limit of 470 kW (630 shp)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 10,58 m
Length overall, rotors turning (Gesamtlänge): 12,74 m
Width over skids (Breite über Kufen): 2,29 m
Height (Höhe): 3,6 m with standard skids
Rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 10,66 m
Main rotor disk area (Hauptrotorkreisfläche): 89,4 sq m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,65 m
Tail rotor disk area (Heckrotorkreisfläche): 2,08 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 1,5 m
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,0 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,2 m
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 2,4 cu m, without cockpit
Baggage hold (Gepäckraum): 0,45 cu m

Weights (Massen)
Standard weight (Leermasse): 1187 kg with seven-seat interior
Useful load (Zuladung): 1081 kg or 1194 kg
Max. external load (max. Außenlast): 1200 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 484 litres standard plus 72 liters optional
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 2268 kg or 2381 kg with increased gross weight kit or 2722 kg with external load only

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Maximum cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 246 km/h at sea level, ISA or 235 km/h at ISA + 20 deg C
Long range cruise speed (Reisegeschw. für lange Strecken): 224 km/h
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 5696 m at ISA
Service ceiling with one engine (Dienstgipfelhöhe mit einem Triebwerk):
Hover ceiling OGE (Schwebeflughöhe ohne Bodeneffekt): 3170 m at ISA or 1829 m at ISA + 20 deg C
Hover ceiling IGE (Schwegeflughöhe mit Bodeneffekt): 3718 m at ISA or 2410 m at ISA + 20 deg C
Range (Reichweite):
- 612 km at long-range cruise speed, sea level, ISA
- 675 km at long-range cruise speed, 1200 m, ISA
Max. Endurance (max. Flugzeit): 3,7 hrs at sea level, 4,1 hrs at 1200m

Costs (Kosten)
Basic sales price was quoted as 1,45 million US-Dollars in early 2001, up from 1,37 million US-Dollars in January 1999.
Average direct operating costs were quoted as 332,37 US-Dollars in January 2001, up from 304,32 US-Dollars in January 1999, with fuel at 1,5 US-Dollars per gallon and a labour rate of 50 US-Dollars per hour. Under FAA regulations, 8,78 US-Dollars must be added for inspections.

Customers (Kunden)
At the end of 2000, some 485 Model 407 were in operation. Over 300 had been delivered by the end of 1998, and the 400th helicopter was handed over to Petroleum helicopters in December 1999.
Production was 62 in 2000 and 62 in 1999.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil
MD Helicopters MD 600N

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Bell 407 is based on the 206L-4 LongRanger fuselage, but features new composite sidewalls to widen the cabin by 17 cm. Also, there is a new dynamic system based on that of the OH-58D military helicopter, including an all-composites four-blade main rotor. Cockpit displays are improved.

History (Geschichte)
Bell started studies on a new light helicopter in 1993, to replace the JetRanger and LongRanger. A concept demonstrator was approved in January 1994 and flew from 21 April 1994 at Fort Worth, featuring the new dynamic system. It flew over 220 hours. Formal program go-ahead was in July 1994.
The programme was first revealed at the Heli Expo show on 29 January 1995 at Las Vegas, with a price of 1,15 million US-Dollars. More than 40 orders were received during the show. Launch customer was Niagara Helicopters.
The first prototype started the test programme with a maiden flight on 29 June 1995. It was quickly followed on 13 July by a second machine.
The first production airframe was flown on 10 November 1995. Certification was scheduled for December 1995, but approval from Transport Canada was achieved with some dely on 9 February 1996, followed by the FAA on 23 February.
First customer delivery was celebrated at the Heli Expo show in late February 1996 at Dallas. First customers were Petroleum Helicopters and Greenlandair. By that time, there were more than 150 orders.
By February 1997, deliveries amounted to over 80 helicopters, with another 120 on order.
By September 1998, Bell had delivered 280 Models 407 and orders for another 70. The fleet had amassed 70000 flight hours.
In March 1999, after three unexplaned accidents, Bell had to restrict the top speed of the 407 to 100 kts (185 km/h), but a modification to the tail rotor and the anti-torque pedals remedied the situation.
The speed restriction, this time to 110 kts, was re-introduced in Janaury 2001 after a crash in the Gulf of Mexico, which so far remains unexplained.

Last updated 19. March 2001

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