The Bell 222 is an American twin-engine light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 230 is an improved development with different engines and other minor changes.
In the late 1960s, Bell began designing a new twin-turbine engine light helicopter. A mockup of the new helicopter was displayed in January 1974 at a helicopter convention.[2] Following interest at the convention the company announced the new Bell 222.[3] It was the first light commercial twin-turbine helicopter developed in the United States.[4]
The Bell 222 incorporated a number of advanced features including dual hydraulic and electrical systems, sponsons housing the retractable landing gear, and the Noda Matic vibration reduction system developed for the Bell 214ST.[1]
Manufacturing began in 1975.[2] 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.[5]
A Bell 222B
Improved versions
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.[1]
A development of the 222 is the Bell 230, with the 222's LTS 101 engines replaced by two Allison 250 turboshaft engines, 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.[1]
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.[4] Its cabin holds a maximum of ten persons with one-two pilots and eight to nine passengers. Seating configurations include standard seating for a pilot and seven passengers; or executive seating with one to two pilots and seating for five to six.[4] 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.[1]
The Bell 222 is powered by twin Lycoming/Honeywell LTS101-650 turboshaft engines, rated at 592 shp each.[5] Later 222 versions feature more powerful engines. Engine output is at 100% of rating at 9598 RPM. Two independent driveshafts deliver power from the engines to the transmission. The Bell 222's LTS101 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 retracts into the sponsons.[2]
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, and 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
Bell 222U rotor head and flight controls
Bell 222
The original Model 222, sometimes unofficially called a Bell 222A to distinguish it from the Bell 222B. It was powered by two (618 hp takeoff rated, 591 hp max continuous rated) Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS101-650C-3turboshafts.
Bell 222B
In 1982 the 222 was given a power upgrade (two Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS101-750Cs with takeoff rating of 680 hp each), a larger main rotor, and was renamed the Bell 222B.
Bell 222B Executive
This model had improved systems and a luxury interior.
Bell 222UT
A 222B variant with skids, introduced in 1983. The lack of retractable landing gear allowed for larger auxiliary fuel tanks.
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 D-292 had a new composite airframe.
Bell 230
In 1991, the 222B design was updated, given more uprated engines, and renamed the Bell 230. Production ended in 1995.
Bell 230 Executive
Executive transport version.
Bell 230 Utility
Utility transport version.
Bell 230 EMS
Air ambulance version, equipped with one or two stretchers.
Bell 222SP
During the 1990s, some Bell 222s were modified with the 222B's engines and 230's Allison 250-C30G engines for improved single engine (engine-out) performance, and redesignated as 222SPs.[6]
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The Bell 222 is an American twin engine light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter The Bell 230 is an improved development with different engines and other minor changes Bell 222 230A Bell 222URole Executive utility helicopterNational origin United StatesManufacturer Bell HelicopterFirst flight 13 August 1976Introduction Bell 222 1979Bell 230 1991Produced Bell 222 1980 1991 Bell 230 1992 1995Number built Bell 222 199 Bell 230 38 1 Variants Bell 430Developed into Bell D 292 Contents 1 Development 1 1 Origins 1 2 Improved versions 2 Design 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications 6 Notable appearances in media 7 See also 8 References 9 Bibliography 10 External linksDevelopment EditOrigins Edit In the late 1960s Bell began designing a new twin turbine engine light helicopter A mockup of the new helicopter was displayed in January 1974 at a helicopter convention 2 Following interest at the convention the company announced the new Bell 222 3 It was the first light commercial twin turbine helicopter developed in the United States 4 The Bell 222 incorporated a number of advanced features including dual hydraulic and electrical systems sponsons housing the retractable landing gear and the Noda Matic vibration reduction system developed for the Bell 214ST 1 Manufacturing began in 1975 2 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 5 A Bell 222B Improved versions Edit 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 1 A development of the 222 is the Bell 230 with the 222 s LTS 101 engines replaced by two Allison 250 turboshaft engines 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 1 Design Edit 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 4 Its cabin holds a maximum of ten persons with one two pilots and eight to nine passengers Seating configurations include standard seating for a pilot and seven passengers or executive seating with one to two pilots and seating for five to six 4 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 1 The Bell 222 is powered by twin Lycoming Honeywell LTS101 650 turboshaft engines rated at 592 shp each 5 Later 222 versions feature more powerful engines Engine output is at 100 of rating at 9598 RPM Two independent driveshafts deliver power from the engines to the transmission The Bell 222 s LTS101 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 retracts into the sponsons 2 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 and 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 Edit Bell 222U rotor head and flight controls Bell 222 The original Model 222 sometimes unofficially called a Bell 222A to distinguish it from the Bell 222B It was powered by two 618 hp takeoff rated 591 hp max continuous rated Honeywell formerly Lycoming LTS101 650C 3 turboshafts Bell 222B In 1982 the 222 was given a power upgrade two Honeywell formerly Lycoming LTS101 750Cs with takeoff rating of 680 hp each a larger main rotor and was renamed the Bell 222B Bell 222B Executive This model had improved systems and a luxury interior Bell 222UT A 222B variant with skids introduced in 1983 The lack of retractable landing gear allowed for larger auxiliary fuel tanks 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 D 292 had a new composite airframe Bell 230 In 1991 the 222B design was updated given more uprated engines and renamed the Bell 230 Production ended in 1995 Bell 230 Executive Executive transport version Bell 230 Utility Utility transport version Bell 230 EMS Air ambulance version equipped with one or two stretchers Bell 222SP During the 1990s some Bell 222s were modified with the 222B s engines and 230 s Allison 250 C30G engines for improved single engine engine out performance and redesignated as 222SPs 6 Bell 430 In 1995 the Bell 430 a stretched 230 adding another seating row was launched with uprated engines and a four blade main rotor Operators Edit Bell 230 of Rotor Lift Aviation at Agfest 2010 Bell 230 in markings of the Chilean Navy The Bell 222 has seen service with a large number of civil operators but only limited military service AlbaniaAlbtransport crashed in 2006 7 8 EcuadorEcuadorian Navy 9 JamaicaJDF Air Wing 10 United StatesMercy Air 11 Specifications Edit Bell 222 3 view drawing Model 222 222B 222U 230Announced 1974 1982 1982 1990First Flight August 13 1976 1982 1983 August 12 1991Certified December 1979 August 1982 April 1983 March 1992Delivered 1980 1982 1983 November 1992Seats Front pilot one Main four six depending on seat types Maximum ten pilot and nine passengers 12 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 13 42 ft 11 in 12 78 m 42 ft 3 in 12 88 m Rotor diameter 39 ft 9 in 12 12 m 14 42 ft 12 80 m Length overall 49 ft 6 in 15 1 m 50 ft 3 in 15 32 m Engine 2x Lycoming LTS101 650C 3 Lycoming LTS101 750C Rolls Royce 250 C30G 2Power 2x 620 shp 462 kW 14 684 shp 510 kW 13 700 hp 520 kW Max speed 133 kn 153 mph 246 km h 14 cruise 135 kt 155 mph 250 km h 140 kt 161 mph 260 km h Climb rate 1 600 ft min 8 1 m s 14 1 730 ft min 8 79 m s 1 600 ft min 8 13 m s Service ceiling 20 000 ft 6 100 m 14 15 800 ft 4 816 m 15 500 ft 4 724 m Hover ceiling 4 200 ft 1 300 m 14 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 282 nmi 325 mi 522 km 14 378 nmi 434 mi 700 km 486 nmi 559 mi 900 km 378 nmi 434 mi 700 km Empty weight 4 860 lb 2 200 kg 14 4 577 lb 2 076 kg 4 537 lb 2 058 kg 5 097 lb 2 312 kg Maximum takeoff weight 8 100 lb 3 670 kg 14 external load 8 250 lb 3 742 kg 8 400 lb 3 810 kg Sources Airliners net 15 Helicopterdirect 16 others 17 18 Notable appearances in media EditMain articles Aircraft in fiction Bell 222 and Airwolf helicopter The Bell 222 is widely known from the television series Airwolf where a modified 222A was featured See also EditRelated development Bell 430 Bell 206 Bell 412 Bell 427 Bell D 292 ACAPAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Sikorsky S 76 Agusta A109 Eurocopter DauphinReferences Edit a b c d e Frawley Gerard The International Directory of Civil Aircraft 2003 2004 Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd 2003 ISBN 1 875671 58 7 a b c Apostolo Giorgio Bell Model 222 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters New York Bonanza Books 1984 ISBN 978 0 517 43935 7 Frawley Gerard Bell 222 amp 230 The International Directory of Civil Aircraft 2003 2004 p 46 Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd 2003 ISBN 1 875671 58 7 a b c Donald David ed Bell Model 222 The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Barnes amp Nobel Books 1997 ISBN 0 7607 0592 5 a b Pelletier Alain J Bell Aircraft Since 1935 US Naval Institute Press 1992 ISBN 1 55750 056 8 Bell 222 Jane s Helicopter Markets and Systems Jane s Information Group 2009 subscription article permanent dead link Albanian Govt Bell 222UT AL HOV helis com Retrieved 15 January 2013 Albania Government Bell 222UT Demand media Retrieved 15 January 2013 World Air Forces 2011 12 PDF flightglobal com Retrieved 4 August 2018 Bell 222UT Jamaican Defence Force Mercy Air helis com Retrieved 14 August 2018 FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet permanent dead link a b Taylor 1988 pp 346 347 a b c d e f g h i Taylor 1982 p 312 Bell 222 amp 230 page on airliner net Bell helicopter technical data helicopterdirect com Bell 222 technical data on airwolf tv series com Archived 2007 12 27 at the Wayback Machine Helicopters Manufacturers and Models of Helicopters A BEL aircraftone com Archived from the original on 20 June 2016 Retrieved 22 June 2016 Bibliography EditElliott Bryn May June 1999 On the Beat The First 60 Years of Britain s Air Police Part Two Air Enthusiast 81 64 69 ISSN 0143 5450 Bell 222 230 Field Maintenance Training Manual Bell 222U Rotorcraft Flight Manual Taylor John W R ed 1982 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1982 83 London Jane s Yearbooks ISBN 0 7106 0748 2 Taylor John W R ed 1988 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1988 89 London Jane s Defence Data ISBN 0 7106 0867 5 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bell 222 Airliners net Bell 222 amp 230 RTH info Bell 222 in aeromedical services in English and German FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet permanent dead link Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bell 222 230 amp oldid 1125354160, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
