Bell 214ST

Infobox Aircraft
name=Bell 214ST


caption= A Bell 214ST of Helicopter Air Transport
type=medium-lift helicopter
manufacturer=Bell Helicopter Textron
designer=
first flight= February 1977
introduced= 1979
retired=
status=
primary user= Iraqi Army
more users= Venezuelan Air Force CHC Helicopter
produced= 1979-1990
number built= 100
unit cost=
developed from = Bell 214
variants with their own articles =

The Bell 214ST medium-lift twin helicopter is derived from the ubiquitous UH-1 Huey series, and is the largest helicopter ever built by Bell. Though it shares a type number with the somewhat-related Bell 214, the 214ST is larger and of quite different appearance.

Design and development

The Bell 214ST (originally for "Stretched Twin", later "Super Transporter") has a 16-17 passenger capacityGreen, William: "Observers Aircraft", page 224. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-7232-3458-2] and two 1625 shp GE CT7-2A engines.

The 214ST was originally developed as a military project from the Bell 214B BigLifter, specifically for production in Iran and the development by Bell was funded by the Iranian government.Apostolo, Giorgio: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters", page 54. Bonanza Books, New York, 1984. ISBN 0-517-439352] The interim prototype was first flown in February 1977 in Texas,Green, William, "Observers Aircraft", page 228. Frederick Warne Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0-7232-3697-6.] with three conforming prototypes following in 1978.

The overthrow of the Shah in 1979, lead Bell to change production plans and build the 214ST at their Dallas-Fort Worth facility instead and launch it as a civil helicopter, rather than a military one. The military variant followed the civil one into production with deliveries commencing in 1982.

The Bell 214ST introduced some ground-breaking innovations for Bell, including:

* a one-hour run-dry transmission
* fibreglass rotor blades
* elastomeric rotorhead bearings
* the option of skid or wheeled landing gear

Bell built a total of 100 214STs. The military version deliveries included 45 that went to Iraq in 1988,Frawley, Gerard: "The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004", page 44. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7] one to Brunei, 11 to Peru, nine to Thailand and four to Venezuela. Production of the 214ST was completed in 1991.

Operational history

Excluding those in Iraq, about 39 214STs remain in use, some in the service of oil companies where the long range and twin engines are good for off shore work.

Operators

Military operators

*BRN - 1
*flag|Dubai
*ECU
*IRN
*IRQ - 45
*OMN
*PER - 11
*PHI
*THA - 9
*VEN - 4

Civil operators

;CAN
* CHC Helicopter;UK
* Bristow Helicopters
* British Caledonian Helicopters;USA
* Air Logistics (part of the Bristow Group)
* Helicopter Transport Services, LLC
* Presidential Airways
* Evergreen Helicopters, Inc.

pecifications (214ST)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop

ref=The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft

crew= 1 or 2
capacity= 16 or 17 passengers or equivalent cargo
length main=49 ft 4 in
length alt=15.03 m)
span main=52 ft 0 in
span alt=15.85 m
height main=15 ft 11 in
height alt=4.84 m
area main=
area alt=
empty weight main=9,481 lb
empty weight alt=4,300 kg
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=17,500 lb
max takeoff weight alt=7,938 kg

engine (prop)=General Electric CT7-2A
type of prop=turboshaft
number of props=2
power main=1,625 shp
power alt=1,215 kW

max speed main=161 mph
max speed alt=259 km/h
cruise speed main=159 mph
cruise speed alt=256 km/h
range main=533 sm
range alt=858 km
ceiling main= ft (Dependent on environmental factors such as weight, outside temp., etc)
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=1780 ft/min
climb rate alt=9.0 m/s
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
armament=

References

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Bell 214
* Bell 212

similar aircraft=
* AgustaWestland AW139
* Westland 30

sequence=
* 209 - 210 - 212 - 214/214ST - 222 - 230 - 249
lists=

see also=

External links

* [http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/bell_214st.php Bell Model 214ST on aviastar.org]