Bell 427
Bell 427 | |
---|---|
A Bell 427 in flight | |
Role | Multipurpose utility helicopter |
National origin | United States/Canada/South Korea |
Manufacturer | ) |
First flight | 11 December 1997 |
Introduction | 2000 |
Status | In service |
Produced | 1997–2010 |
Developed from | Bell 407 |
Developed into | Bell 429 GlobalRanger |
The Bell 427 is a twin-engine, multirole, light utility helicopter designed and manufactured by
Development
Bell has tried several incarnations of a twin version of its successful
The company began development of a new light twin, in partnership with South Korea's Samsung Aerospace Industries. In February 1996, Bell announced its Model 427 at the Heli Expo in Dallas. The Bell 427 was the company's first aircraft designed entirely on computer.[2] The Bell 427 first flew on December 11, 1997. Canadian certification was awarded on November 19, 1999, followed by US certification in January 2000, and US FAA dual pilot IFR certification in May 2000. Bell builds the 427's flight dynamics systems at Fort Worth, Texas, while final assembly is performed at Bell's Mirabel, Quebec facility. The 427's fuselage and tailboom are built by Samsung (later part of KAI) at its Sachon plant in South Korea.[2] The first customer deliveries occurred in January 2000.[3]
In 2004, Bell offered a redesigned 427 version, the Bell 427i, which was developed in partnership with South Korea's
Design
The Bell 427 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D turboshaft engines with FADEC.[2] Like the Bell 407, the 427 uses a four-blade main rotor system with a rigid, composite rotor hub and a two-blade tail rotor.[2]
The Bell 427's cabin is 13 in (33 cm) longer than the 407, and consists primarily of composite construction. The design removes the roof beam which obstructs the cabin on the 206/206L/407, and has an optional sliding main cabin door.[2]
The 427 offers eight-place seating including pilot in a two+three+three arrangement. Alternate layouts include four in the main cabin in a club configuration, or two stretchers and two medical attendants for medical evacuation duties.[2]
Operators
- Argentina
- Czech Republic
- Czech HEMS – Alfa Helicopter[11]
- Paraguay
Specifications (Bell 427)
Data from Bell Helicopter,[13][14] International Directory of Civil Aircraft,[2] Aerospace-Technology[15][unreliable source?]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 7 passengers / 2,960 lb (1,343 kg) internal load
- Length: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
- Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) with standard skids[14]
- Empty weight: 3,881 lb (1,760 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,550 lb (2,971 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207D turboshaftengines, 710 shp (530 kW) each
- Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
- Main rotor area: 1,075 sq ft (99.9 m2)
- Blade section: - root: Boeing VR-7; tip: Narramore 8%[16]
Performance
- Maximum speed: 140 kn (160 mph, 260 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 138 kn (159 mph, 256 km/h)
- Range: 394 nmi (453 mi, 730 km)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- AgustaWestland AW109
- Eurocopter EC 145
- MBB/Kawasaki BK 117
- MD Helicopters MD Explorer
References
- ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
- ^ ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
- ^ Bell 427 page Archived June 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Flug Revue, March 21, 2001.
- ^ "Bell Developing 427i with KAI" Archived July 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. vtol.org, July 2004.
- ^ Healey, Andrew. "Bell’s new 427i promises much more than just IFR" Archived June 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Aviation International News online, September 1, 2004.
- ^ Jane's All the World's Aircraft, Jane's Information Group, 2009. subscription article, dated April 17, 2009[permanent dead link].
- ^ "HeliExpo '05: All Bell 427i Customers Convert to New Bell 429". aero-news.net, February 7, 2005
- ^ "Bell Streamlines Product Line to Better Align with Customer Demands" Archived December 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Bell Helicopter, 24 January 2008.
- ^ "Bell 427. Nuevo Helicóptero para la Policía de Entre Rios". aeroforo.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "Policia de la Provincia de Entre Rios Bell 427". Demand media. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "Alfa Heli fleet". alfahelicopter.cz. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "Bell 427 in Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya".
- ^ Bell 427 specifications Archived October 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Bell Helicopter
- ^ a b Bell 427 Product specifications Archived November 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Bell Helicopter, January 2006.
- ^ Bell 427 Multipurpose Utility Helicopter, USA. Aerospace-Technology.
- ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.