- Bell 430
Infobox Aircraft
name = Bell 430
caption = Bell 430 takes off from Mojave
type = Executive/utility helicopter
manufacturer =Bell Helicopter Textron
designer =
first flight =October 25 ,1994
introduced = 1995
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced = 1996—
number built = 123 (as of 2007)
unit cost =
developed from = Bell 222/230
variants with their own articles =The Bell 430 is a twin-engined light-medium
helicopter built byBell Helicopter Textron . It is a stretched and more powerful development of the Bell 230, which was itself based on the earlier Bell 222.Development
While developing the reengined Model 222 as the 230, Bell began preliminary design work on a stretched derivative with a four-bladed main rotor in 1991. The Bell 430 was formally launched in February 1992, with two prototypes being modified from Bell 230s. The first of these flew in its new configuration on
October 25 ,1994 , and the second prototype, featuring the full 430 avionics suite, first flew onDecember 19 ,1994 .Frawley, Gerard: "The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004", page 46. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7]Production of the Bell 230 wound up in August 1995, with the first 430 production aircraft being completed that year. Canadian certification was awarded on
February 23 ,1996 , and the first deliveries began in the middle of that year.Between
August 17 andSeptember 3 1996 , Americans Ron Bower and John Williams broke the round the world helicopter record with a Bell 430, flying westwards from England.On
24 January 2008 , Bell announced plans to terminate production of its Model 430 after current order commitments are fulfilled in 2010. [ [http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/company/pressReleases/PR_08_0124_StreamlineProductLine.cfm "Bell Streamlines Product Line to Better Align with Customer Demands"] , Bell Helicopter,24 January 2008 .]Design
The Bell 430 features several significant improvements over the 230,the most significant of these being the new four blade, bearingless, hingeless, composite main rotor. Though both the 230 and 430 are powered by Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250 turboshafts, the 430's engines are 10% more powerful. Other changes include the 1ft 6in(46cm) stretched fuselage, providing for two extra seats, an optional EFIS flightdeck, and a choice of either skids or retractable wheeled undercarriage.
The typical configuration seats 10, including a pilot and co-pilot with eight passengers in main cabin behind them in three rows of seats. Six and eight place executive layouts offered. In EMS role can carry one or two stretcher patients with four or three medical attendants respectively. Max hook capacity is 3,500 lb (1,585 kg).
Operators
;DOM
*Dominican Republic Air Force Fact|date=January 2008pecifications
Sources: [ [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=77 Bell 222 & 230 page on airliner.net] ] [ [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=78 Bell 430 page on airliner.net] ] [ [http://helicopterdirect.com/technical_bell.htm Bell helicopter technical data, helicopterdirect.com] ] [ [http://www.aircraftone.com/aircraft/models/Helicopters1.asp Helicopter production list on AircraftOne.com] ]
References
ee also
aircontent
related=
* Bell 222/230
*Bell 407
*Bell 429 similar aircraft=
*Sikorsky S-76
*Agusta A109
*Eurocopter Dauphin lists=
see also=External links
* [http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/commercial/bell430.cfm Bell 430 at Bell Helicopter web site]
* [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=78 Bell 430 page on Airliners.net]
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