Helicopter Flight Services’ fleet includes seven Bell 407s. This helicopter has four blades and a single engine. It is used for corporate and offshore transport, air medical services, law enforcement, electronic news gathering, and movie filming.
The Bell 407 is a civil utility helicopter derived from the design of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger. It uses the four-blade, soft-in-plane design rotor with composite hub that was developed for the U.S. Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, rather than the 206L-4’s two-blade, semi-rigid, teetering rotor.
Bell began development of the New Light Aircraft in 1993 to replace its model 206 Series. This led to the 407, a development of the company’s LongRanger. The first two prototypes completed their maiden voyages in 1995. The first production 407 was flown on November 10, 1995.
The 407’s blades and hub use composite construction without life limits, which produces better performance and a more comfortable ride than the OH-58D. The fuselage on the 407 is eight inches wider, which gives it greater cabin space, and the main cabin windows are 35 percent larger.
The Bell 407 uses a more powerful Rolls-Royce/Allison 250-C47 turboshaft that allows for an increase in maximum takeoff weight. The turboshaft also performs better at higher temperatures and higher altitudes. The airframe is similar to the LongRanger, but it has a carbon fiber composite tailboom. The 407 has seating for two crew members and five passengers.
The Bell 407 helicopter is a popular choice for tours and charters. If you are thinking about taking a tour of New York City or taking a charter to an airport or vacation destination, contact Helicopter Flight Services today to make your reservations.
