Bell 222

Bell 222

By Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_222

Bell 222 / 230

A Bell 222
Role	Executive/utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Bell Helicopter
First flight	August 13, 1976
Introduced	Bell 222: 1979 Bell 230: 1991
Produced	Bell 222: 1980–1991 Bell 230: 1992–1995
Number built	Bell 222: 199 Bell 230: 38^[1]
Variants	Bell 430

The Bell 222 is a twin-engined light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 230 is an improved development with different engines and other minor changes. A cosmetically modified version of the 222 was used as the titular aircraft in the US television program Airwolf.

Development

In the late 1960s Bell began designing a new twin turbine engine light helicopter. A mock-up of the new helicopter was displayed in January 1974 at a helicopter convention. Following interest at the convention the company announced the new Bell 222. It was the first light commercial twin turbine engine helicopter developed in the United States.

The Bell 222 incorporated a number of advanced features including dual hydraulic and electrical systems, stub wings housing the retractable langing gear, and the Noda Matic vibration reduction system developed for the Bell 214ST.

A Bell 222U

Manufacturing began in 1975. The Model 222 first flew on August 13, 1976. It received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on August 16, 1979 and was approved for visual flight rules (VFR) use on December 20, 1979. Helicopter deliveries began on January 16, 1980. The FAA approved the 222 for single pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) operation on May 15, 1980.

The more powerful Bell 222B was introduced in 1982 with a larger diameter main rotor. The 222B-based Bell 222UT Utility Twin, with skid landing gear, was introduced in 1983.

A development of the 222 is the Bell 230, with the 222's LTS 101 engines replaced by two Allison 250 turboshafts, plus other refinements. A converted 222 first flew as the prototype 230 on August 12, 1991. Transport Canada awarded certification in March 1992, and the first production 230 was delivered that November. The 230 had optional skid or wheel undercarriage. Production ended in 1995 with 38 having been built, being replaced in Bell's lineup by the stretched, more powerful Bell 430.

Design

LTS 101-750 engine installation (left engine) in a 222U

The design includes two main rotor blades of stainless-steel-fiberglass construction and rotor hub with elastomeric bearings, which are lubricant free. Its cabin holds a maximum of 10 persons with 1-2 pilots and 8-9 passengers. Seating configurations include standard seating for a pilot and seven passengers; or executive seating with 1-2 pilots and seating for 5-6. The Bell 222 and 230 are usually flown single-pilot (optional dual controls are available), and can be configured for corporate/executive, EMS or utility transport missions.

The Bell 222 is powered by twin Lycoming/Honeywell LTS101-650 turboshaft engines, rated at 592 shp each. Later 222 versions feature more powerful engines. Engine output is att of 100% of rating at 9598 RPM. Two independent drive shafts deliver power from the engines to the transmission. The Bell 222's LST-engine exhaust stacks are located at the rear of the engines, while the 230's Allison-engine exhaust stacks are located high on the cowling. Fuel is stored in three tanks, one in the fuselage and one in each sponson. The main rear landing gear retract into the sponsons.

The Bell 222's rotor systems include:

Two-blade, semi-rigid high-kinetic energy main rotor 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.
All series models incorporate a pusher-type two-bladed tail rotor mounted on the left side of the tailboom, turning at 3396 RPM.

Variants

A London Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit Bell 222 fitted with a Marconi Heli-Teli in 1982

Bell 222: The original Model 222, sometimes unofficially called a Bell 222A to distinguish it from the Bell 222B. It was powered by two (461 kW takeoff rated, 441 kW max continuous rated) Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS-101-650C-3 turboshafts.

Bell 222B: In 1982 the 222 was given a power upgrade (two 505kW (takeoff rated) Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS-101-750Cs), a larger main rotor, and was renamed the Bell 222B.
Bell 222B Excutive: This model had improved systems and a luxury interior.
Bell 222U: A 222B variant with skids, introduced in 1983.

Bell D-292 ACAP demonstrator

Bell D-292: The Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP) was a 1985 all-composite LHX proof of concept project. The Bell D-292 used the Avco Lycoming engines, transmission, two-bladed main and tail rotors, tailboom, vertical fin, and rotor pylon of the 222. The new airframe used composite materials in place of metal to provide greater strength, lighter weight, lower manufacturing costs, and reduce maintenance costs.

Bell 230: In 1991 the 222B design was updated, given more powerful engines, and renamed the Bell 230. Production ended in 1995.
Bell 230 Excutive: Excutive transport version.
Bell 230 Utility: Utility transport version.
Bell 230 EMS: Air ambulance version, equipped with one or two strechers.
Bell 222SP: During the 1990s, a number of 222s were modified to use the 230's Allison engines as an after-market STC due to reliability issues with the Lycoming engines, and redesignated as 222SPs.

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

Operators

Bell 222U rotor head and flight controls

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.

Specifications

Model	222	222B	222U	230
Announced	1974	1982	1982	1990
First Flight	August 13, 1976	1982	1983	August 12, 1991
Certified	December 1979	August 1982	April 1983	March 1992
Delivered	1980	1982	1983	November 1992
Seats	Front: pilot + one. Main: 4–6 (depending on seat types) Maximum 10 (pilot and 9 passengers)^[6]
Height	11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)		12 ft 2 in (3.71 m)	11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Fuselage length	42 ft 2 in (12.85 m)		42 ft 11 in (12.78 m)	42 ft 3 in (12.88 m)
Rotor diameter	40 ft (12.2 m)	42 ft (12.80 m)
Length overall	49 ft 6 in (15.1 m)	50 ft 3 in (15.32 m)
Engine (2x)	Lycoming LTS-101-650C-3	Lycoming LTS-101-750C		Rolls-Royce 250-C30G/2
Power (2x)	618 hp (461 kW)	680 hp (505 kW)		700 hp (520 kW)
Max speed	130 kt (149 mph, 240 km/h)	135 kt (155 mph, 250 km/h)		140 kt (161 mph, 260 km/h)
Climb rate	1,580 ft/min (8.03 m/s)	1,730 ft/min (8.79 m/s)		~1,600 ft/min (8.13 m/s)
Service ceiling	12,800 ft (3,901 m)	15,800 ft (4,816 m)		15,500 ft (4,724 m)
Hover ceiling	~9,000 ft (2,743 m)	10,300 ft (3,139 m)		12,400 ft (3,780 m)
Fuel Capacity	188+48 US gal (710+182 L)		188+122 US gal (710+460 L)	188+ US gal (710+ L)
Range	324 nmi (372 mi, 600 km)	378 nmi (434 mi, 700 km)	386 nmi (559 mi, 900 km)	378 nmi (434 mi, 700 km)
Empty Weight	4,555 lb (2,066 kg)	4,577 lb (2,076 kg)	4,537 lb (2,058 kg)	5,097 lb (2,312 kg)
Maximum Take-off Weight	7,848 lb (3,560 kg)	8,250 lb (3,742 kg)		8,400 lb (3,810 kg)
Serial Numbers	47001 – 47099 ^†	47131 – 47156	47501 – 47574	23001 – 23038
^† The first five were prototype/test models

Sources: Airliners.net, Helicopterdirect, Others

Transmission installation in a 222U

Pop culture

The Bell 222 is widely known from the television series Airwolf where it is featured as a modified 222A. Following this appearance, Bell 222s made a variety of background appearances in film, television, and computer games.

External links

Airliners.net: Bell 222 & 230
RTH.info: Bell 222 in aeromedical services (in English and German)
FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet

Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.

Published in July 2009.

Click here to read more articles related to aviation and space!