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.[1] Following interest at the convention, the company announced the new Bell 222.[2] It was the first light commercial twin-turbine helicopter developed in the United States.[3]
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.
Manufacturing began in 1975.[1] 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.[4]
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 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.
The design includes two main rotor blades of stainless-steel-fiberglass construction and rotor hub with elastomeric bearings, which are lubricant free.[3] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[1]
The Bell 222's rotor systems include:
The Bell 222 has seen service with a large number of civil operators, but only limited military service.
| 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: 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 | 42feet | 42 ft 11 in (12.78 m) | 42 ft 3 in (12.88 m) | ||
| Rotor diameter | 39feet | 42 ft (12.80 m) | |||
| Length overall | 49 ft 6 in (15.1 m) | 50 ft 3 in (15.32 m) | |||
| Engine (2x) | Lycoming LTS101-750C | Rolls-Royce 250-C30G/2 | |||
| Power (2x) | 6200NaN0 | 684shp | 700 hp (520 kW) | ||
| Max speed | 133kn (cruise) | 135 kt (155 mph, 250 km/h) | 140 kt (161 mph, 260 km/h) | ||
| Climb rate | 1600ft/min | 1,730 ft/min (8.79 m/s) | ~1,600 ft/min (8.13 m/s) | ||
| Service ceiling | 20000-2NaN-2 | 15,800 ft (4,816 m) | 15,500 ft (4,724 m) | ||
| Hover ceiling | 4200feet | 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 | 282nmi | 378 nmi (434 mi, 700 km) | 486 nmi (559 mi, 900 km) | 378 nmi (434 mi, 700 km) | |
| Empty weight | 4860lb | 4,577 lb (2,076 kg) | 4,537 lb (2,058 kg) | 5,097 lb (2,312 kg) | |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 8100-1NaN-1 (external load) | 8,250 lb (3,742 kg) | 8,400 lb (3,810 kg) | ||
See main article: Airwolf (helicopter).
The Bell 222 is widely known from the television series Airwolf, where a modified 222A was featured.